Building high-end 'tables cheap at Home Despot II

Hi Richard, this is in the context of the post I was responding to from Kravi4ka - "had decided to make it the classic 23X19X6" - which is the Classic Giant as has been a running theme for well over a year now, why is why Kravi4ka refers to it as "classic." It's further explained by my own: "As to Mass, while Mass is Class, I find that the "magic" weight - at which point the Lenco not only improves but transforms upwards to a whole new Level of Being (perhaps the Best in the World, GASP!) - is reached at 70-80 pounds, after which it is just more improvements. I design in order to be practical: the magic weight is 80 pounds or so, more than this will be a problem both in the present and in the future, and is already a challenge."

The Giant Lenco "classic" weight/size as Kravi4ka says, assuming Baltic birch/MDF, is indeed 23" x 19" x 6", which indeed, made my "my jaw hit the floor" exactly as claimed. More than this seems to have MUCH less effect than the transition from 40 pounds to 70-80 pounds. Less than this, considering the HUGE gains made when crossing this size/mass barrier, should only be considered if space constraints are truly insurmountable. Which is why I am shipping a Giant Lenco to Cyprus, though it profoundly affects the cost of the whole enterprise. Perhaps a doubling of the mass over this "magic point" is required to have a profound effect, but I don't think so, and anyway, it is highly impractical. Maybe I'll try it after Greece, but I don't know how I will get it onto the stand!

Hi guys,
It really is a great forum, I feel like I have friends here! I got the answers for my worries, truth is that this is really helpful, I spent so much time on forums that I obviously missed the important details and you saved my life. I plan to make at least two plinths, and I think I will start with a one that is entirely made of BB, it's going to be a truly giant one-now I am thinking about 24X20X7, that's two sheets of Baltic Burch that I bought on Friday. That's just to try and later I will experiment with MDF and walnut and stuff,I just need to do something immediately :)) Make no mistake, it will be very well executed. I am expecting the arm early next week and I will give you update of how it works out. I am still looking for the step up transformers for the RIAA but I believe they will be either peerless 4722 or S&B TX103(if I find a used pair). Thanks so much for the replies, I really appreciate it. I have two other friends that just got their lencos and it's going to be a great time, I will keep you posted.Have a great weekend !

Hi guys,
Thanks for the maple/mdf reply jean. A friend of mine owns a small machine shop. I was wondering what would happen if
he bought for me a slab of solid aluminum and followed the
plinth diagrams to hollow out said plinth. Basically 21 by 19 or so and about 4 or 5 inches high. Has anyone considered or attempted this? I don't know about the cost but the aluminum can't cost more than two or three hundred.
Then, the machining coststo hollow it out and buff it etc.
I was thinking that since the high end tables are mostly
solid aluminum,maybe it's the next step up in killing vibrations.
Thanks,

Does anybody know if there is anyone who builds metal idlers? I am looking for a couple. I have plastic ones with dryed rubber. Also, if anyone has an extra nose spring setting screw for sale, the adjusting screw which holds and adjusts for motor quietness at the end of the motor shaft.
Thanks, Tessera

Hi Tessera, to answer your second question first, the best source of replacement parts including metal wheels ate the Lenco B55s and variants, which go cheaper as they have the cheaper pressed-metal platters and smaller main bearings. They have the superb Lenco motors and also the metal wheels.

As to aluminum, what it does is provide rigidity, which isn't the same thing as damping/killing vibration/noise. In a context of Direct Coupling (which can't be done with metal or stone), wood is very much more effective at this. Better to stick with maple and MDF or birch-ply. Though a slab/layer of metal somewhere in there would increase strength/rigidity, sonic improvement is not a forgone conclusion, more experiments at the end of the summer!

The Review Lenco is at the lacquerer's, hoping it'll be done in time for my flight!! Wish me luck all!