Feickert analogue protractor....Owners impressions

OK, I see I had the wrong number (233.15) as the pivot to spindle for the SME Iv.vi, it's actually 215.35, 233.15 is the effective length suggested by SME. I got the calipers out and find my cartridge stylus looks exactly at or very close to this effective length. I just contacted Ken Willis for a protractor based on these numbers. Now I can see if the SME gauge is close.

I contacted Ken Willis on my arm and he told me if it was an SME with the sliding base and no slots in the headshell, he recommended NOT using his protractor. He told me to use the SME supplied cardboard guide. His reasoning was because the SME's don't have anyway of adjusting offset, and that the pivot to spindle distance on these arms is not a fixed dimension.........

On another note.... I came across a black arm wand that is the updated version. This one is supposed to be designed to use the Baerwald geometry. Maybe I can use my old Geodisc..... we'll see..

On a side note off topic. Pete Riggle has a VTAF for the 3009/3012 arms.....

Here's the email I got from Ken..... for all the other SME owners out there.

"I'm assuming the SME III uses the typical SME adjustable base mount. Does it also have slots in the headshell? If it does, I need to know what mounting distance you want to use. If it does not, I would not recommend using this type of protractor. I'd stick with whatever SME provides for it. The reason is that if the headshell does not have slots, the effective length (mounting distance plus overhang) cannot be adjusted for different cartridges. The effective length of the arm changes with every different cartridge that is used in it because there is no standard for the location of the stylus in relation to the location of the mounting screws. The accuracy of the alignment using this protractor is completely dependent on the mounting distance. Every mounting distance has a unique overhang and effective length associated with it. If the headshell has no slots, the cartridge cannot be moved in the headshell to compensate for the longer or shorter cantilever length. If the cartridge is in a fixed position, but the cantilever length changes, this changes the position of the stylus which changes the effective length. Since every effective length has a unique mounting distance associated with it, changing the effective length requires a different mounting distance. It would be easy enough to move the base of the SME arm to a different mounting distance, but then a different offset angle is required. If the cartridge is fixed in the headshell, the offset angle is also fixed."

04 rdking,
For the reasons stated by Ken is why I measured my effective length before ordering.
The SME jig does the same thing because it is driven by effective length and you move the mounting distance to make it's adjustment. I just find the arc protracter easier to work with than the SME jig. I have enough play in my cartridge mounting to adjust offset.

Mike

Using the Graham B-44 factory alignment jigs to position the arm for the spindle pivot distance and then to mount the cartridge.
The end result , I found them to be of ease of use, well thought out and a very accurate design.

Once the Feikert protractor arrived, I checked my set up against the Graham factory jigs and my ability of using them.

First up , the Feikert read a pivot to spindle distance of 216.5 mm for the Graham Phantom arm.
Next step I was able to land the stylus on the first point of reference with little problem. It was bang on the mark.
The third step which took a little longer, was to position the stylus in a grid to check to see if the cantilever is parallel with the lines on the grid, which it was. Oh yes, the Feikert disk is reflective.

For us older guys, this is where a photographers lope and mag light came in handy.

Thinking about it as I type this, did I need to buy protractor? I also have the MintLp arc tractor on its way too.

Using an arc protractor made specific for my arm and table is going to be interesting.

Its a learning experience for me, its fun and in the end I will have complete piece of mind knowing the geometry of my arm and cartridge are exactly to spec.

Good Listening

Mark