VPI Super Platter

StiTrains, I gather then this new Lube is for particular use with VPI's newer Inverted Bearings, correct?

Will be interesting to hear your comments about this Lube when you get it.

There has been a grease on the market for some time that is also called "Super Lube", is I believe made, or more likely "marketed" by the Permatex Corp, and somewhat seems to fit a very similar desciption as listed here, in that it is also a Translucent Clear Grease, closely resembling Petroleum Jelly, I understand is a full Synthetic, with Teflon added, very wide heat range, said to not dry, run, thin, and also FDA approved that it can be used in the food industry as well.

We can no doubt assume that VPI is not manufacturing thier own Lubricants, and buys, and tries various formulations to see what they find works best in thier analysis' for thier products.

I do have a 5lb Tub of this Super Lube lying around here somewhere, would be interesting to compare, whether both are indeed the same? If so, then I have about "$5,000 worth" of "VPI Super Lube" right here!

I'm certainly not trying to undermine VPI's attempts to make a dollar, but does make me wonder, when one charges $25 for no doubt a small vial, is perhaps just "repackaging" a common product at a substantial profit to the unknowing? Mark

Markd51 audio is like any other speciality hobby. very high mark ups for items that if searched out of the hobby can be purchased for much less. We use what was recommended by VPI at work, a lithium based type grease. you use such a small amount yearly it does not make sense to buy a tube and have it laying around the house. so for the 25 it might not be such a bad deal. will give my impressions but to be truthful i will be surprised if its use is more than a small upgrade.
Randyhat on the super platter i cant comment on its ability's as i haven't compared both. i do have mapleshades record coupling system and since its arrival in my system i have retired the outer ring clamp and center hrx clamp. the record coupling system has opened the mid and upper ends with out hurting the bottom. truly a great upgrade for me at a price that does not hurt to bad. i dont know why VPI did not give those who purchased tables with the acrylic platter a fair discount on super platter. i would have gone with it, but to me before i spend 1200 on a platter i would rather sell my aries 3 and move on.
like i said above its a super speciality hobby and it takes big bucks some time to try items that may or may not make improvements you are expecting. good luck with your system

I was sent some of this super grease. It comes in what looks like a hypodermic needle type of plunger package. It has VPI written on it, but it is just a label, and am sure they get it elsewhere. If there is a difference when applied, it sure wasn't obvious.

I got a strong magnet and took a closer look at my MK III bearing. It loooks like the little ball at the bottom does not rotate at all. There is a little wear mark on the point and it doesn't move at all.

I've posted a question to Mike at VPI and will report back here when I get something back from him. But basically right now it doesn't look like my ball is removable - otherwise my wife would probably hide them in her bedside drawer - but that's another story :-)

Enjoy,
Bob

Hello Bob, On a couple of occasions, I've tried email to VPI, but never got a response from them (think it was a yahoo addy?) Better to call by phone.

Very odd that it won't rotate, or come out? As far as I can tell, and my thinking is, (and I could be incorrect about this?) was that the Ball was neither supposed to be a tight press fit, nor on the other hand was it supposed to freely rotate within the Bearing Shaft either.

What changes, and methods VPI may've implemented over the years, perhaps only God knows? :-) The soaking in some form of Solvent should've loosened the hold of caked, hardened grease. I can perhaps suggest soaking the end of the Shaft overnight in a solvent (Thinner, Turpentine, Naptha, etc) It won't hurt it.

We all await to hear what Mike perhaps says? Mark