Nice responses from everyone since this thread re-surfaced. It's great to see things progressing in a positive direction, presumably with a final resolution in sight. The following possible causes for Patrick's VTA problem all come to mind:
a) An air bubble was trapped during bearing assembly (due to oil on the bearing housing sides and/or the bearing shaft for example). This could prevent the bearing from seating fully. (Joe, putting too much oil in the bearing would not keep it from seating fully, the extra oil would just spill out the top. Trust me, I know!)
b) The platter was made too tall.
c) The dimension from platter top surface to the underside of the platter that rests on the bearing flange was made too thick. This would hold the platter up higher than spec.
d) The hole in the platter for the bearing spindle was too tight, preventing the platter from dropping onto the flange.
e) The armboard was too thick.
f) Gremlins.
I hope Chris and Patrick will get Steve's table running, have a nice dinner and share their conclusions as to just what happened.
a) An air bubble was trapped during bearing assembly (due to oil on the bearing housing sides and/or the bearing shaft for example). This could prevent the bearing from seating fully. (Joe, putting too much oil in the bearing would not keep it from seating fully, the extra oil would just spill out the top. Trust me, I know!)
b) The platter was made too tall.
c) The dimension from platter top surface to the underside of the platter that rests on the bearing flange was made too thick. This would hold the platter up higher than spec.
d) The hole in the platter for the bearing spindle was too tight, preventing the platter from dropping onto the flange.
e) The armboard was too thick.
f) Gremlins.
I hope Chris and Patrick will get Steve's table running, have a nice dinner and share their conclusions as to just what happened.