New Maplenoll Ariadne owner needing advice

Never touch a dremel ... More work ... Steel wool makes a lot disappear ... Mo better.

Now to Put Humpty Dumpty Back Together Again.

Before any sub unit can be reassembled they all need some mild sanding & paint work. Nothing anybody can't complete. Just a time in = rewards later job. What is apparent (no offense B.D.) much of the 'Noll finishing work was sloppy, period. Hundreds of minor imperfections, sometimes it seems per sq. inch. Well, 97% is history and the other 3% ? Thats what paint is for ( a little cheat in me). The paint scheme is going to be calmer , light colors for the manifold housing , softer blacks for the platter , arm-lift unit and trough. Some parts of the tone-arm (counter-weight "L") are to be repainted a soft black. The VTA adjuster will be either the same color as the manifold or soft black. I may reconsider the platter and hand paint in a epoxy brite black . Today, the Rx'es drew 18 large vials of Mr. Me's red-stuff. Gosh, that a great way to start the day... At least I have today :) :)

And on the 7th Day ...

More special appearances at the Heart Institute. As I sat contently puttering with a couple of parts associated with the Oil Trough , all hell broke loose -- Heart Attack Day -- 8 men and 3 women were wheeled by breathless techs all for imaging some having more than one test. The patients were all so upset; the men had tears in their eyes (family loss fear) , the women seemed more resigned to death. I couldn't stand it. Here I am for a simple Holter Test , here they are fighting for their lives . As a Nurse Janet called me to be hooked up , inner emotions (don't ask why) called out for me to quell the emotional agony / pain I was witnessing. As I stood to walk to the Prep Room , I said in a calm clear voice " I know what's going on in your mind ... listen to me ... What is happening to you has happened to me twice". They transfixed on me as I looked each patient in the eye saying "Nobody is going to die , not today , the staff is going to keep you alive ... I mean it ... No deaths, not today ". Nurse Janet was stunned as was everybody in ear shot. The patients all gave me a smile & some a feble "thumbs-up". Nurse Janet who is in her 70's +++ closed the Prep Door and said that moment was inspiring thanking me for the effort. In 20 minutes the Holter was set-up and away I went.

So what's this have to do with the 'Noll ? I lost the trough part ... No good deed goes goes rewarded ... I'll make the lost part out of Oak or better ...

Table Udate: The tables' sub-unit(s) painting has not gone without challenges. Really, I don't think Bob's ever cared about scratch an dent control. Sand any surface, another "Bob" imperfection rises to make your stomache turn. Far too many hours attempting to refirb thru a haze of Bob, Bob and more Bob. The platter was/is the #1 challenge : I'm overtaking the 3 Bob's but what a time muncher. Had I known what I know now I'm not sure I would have invested so much time an effort. Ah, hell its worth the effort. The most interesting find ? Tuneable bearings , a piece of cake to adjust. Another, the value of Roma Plastena (clay)in this project can not be under estimated. Lastly, since this plinth isn't the sealed type, its very adjustable in terms of playabilty/dampting. While Ari will never be a LLoyd, I am inspired by his work. My feeling is that this Ari is going to be a very interesting listening experience. Now back to work.

Know When To ...

Ok, I've had it. 97% isn't good enought for me on the painting. I contacted Robb @ Fine Finishes , 3300 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon, MD, 21009 ,P/N 443-484-2039 and he has accepted the job. All TT painting is in his hands. Robb is a one-of-a-kind-person , a finisher to perfection. I believe he is a real "go-to guy" for plinths and such. More on that and such more later.

Who's On Our Side ?

A couple of posts ago I mentioned I broke the air barb to the tone-arm manifold and that I was going to contact McMaster-Carr for a replacement. That's what I did only to receive the wrong part. I contacted MC and was assured they could assist . The parts were returned for credit and upon MC's instructions I enclosd the broken part for replacement. Nearly 2 weeks goes by no phone calls , no emails , no nutt'in. So I recalled them , spoke to a customer rep who later recalled me. Despite all the assurances of assistence none was forthcomning. Instead, I get a very calm professional voice telling me McMaster-Carr "eye-balled" the part , the tech could not recall anything like it in stock, dumping the part back to me no explanation via snail mail. Despite all the bull crap about lending a helping hand to the comsumer all I got was a polite foot up my a--. The McMaster-Carr rep suggested that I go back to square one look into their online parts and locate it myself ! And with a sweet kiss-off McMaster-Carr just brushed me aside. Something to remember for future reference. McMaster-Carr assured me of help and then kicked me in the arse. For sure in the world of big business I'm a nobody but I represent a lot of regular folks that from time to time need a tad of help. Remember my experience the next time you hear of a buy-out of another US company. Most likely arrogance started the demise, forgetting the "little guy" is the backbone of business. Enought for now. My search for that part continues...