[Vintage-Audio] Turntables that won't

[wolfbob]

It has been a long while since I worked on one of those, but 
I will try to encourage your servicing. The problem sounds 
to me as one of failure of lubricant(s). First get the 
platter to get up to speed quickly. I would inject all 
bearings using a hypodermic oiler with a thin high quality 
oil (I use a automotive oil-additive called "Rislone" at 
about $7.00/qt) It is a superior oil for impregnated 
bearings (oilite) but also has the property of reactivating 
grease. It will work on the German grease used in the Dual 
and most Japanese grease but will not do much for the 
fishoil grease used by Japan in the 70s. It will last for 
many years. Just put a drop here and there on all places 
where you thing there should be lubricant.

The problem with the tonearm dragging is most likely also a 
lub issue. but be more careful here as some of the surfaces 
that rub may not need or deserve lub. Rislone will not get 
sticky and will not attract dirt so it is so much better 
than 3-in-one or any other light sewingmachine type oil.

WBob, WB6JPI


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Nickels" <W9RAN at oneradio.net>
To: "Vintage home and professional audio equipment from 1975 
back" <vintage-audio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 7:24 AM
Subject: [Vintage-Audio] Turntables that won't


>I like vinyl, I really do.  That's why I still have a 
>massive pile of LPs and 45s despite not having a decent way 
>to play them.  As Duane knows, I found some Anita Kerr LPs 
>at a charity book sale a couple of years ago, and at the 
>latest one this week I picked up a few other LPs that also 
>appeared to my eye to be virgins, never played, or at least 
>not nearly as much as my old Led Zeppelin II, which I think 
>I wore clear through.
>
> All of which created demand for a decent, working 
> turntable.  Among the collection here I have a Dual 1229 
> that I think qualifies, or would, if it worked right.  At 
> least I remember it cost a lot more than I could afford to 
> spend on a turntable back in the day of my old Garrard.
>
> The first problem is it takes about as much time and 
> effort to get up to speed as I do on a cold winter morning 
> before coffee.  But once the platter starts spinning, it 
> seems to be at the right speed, according to the built-in 
> strobe.  Good!
>
> But as soon as I try to play a record, problems begin. 
> The biggest problem is side-pressure that prevents the 
> tonearm from tracking across the grooves.  When it 
> inevitably gets "stuck", I can feel pressure holding the 
> arm from moving.  This pressure seems to originate in a 
> circular mechanism near the pivot which is controlled by a 
> "Tracking" lever that can be moved between single and 
> multiple play positions.  I seem to get this resistance in 
> both positions of the Tracking lever.
>
> Admittedly I'm better with a soldering iron than with a 
> wrench, but I'd appreciate in any suggestions.  Luckily I 
> found a service manual online from a place called The 
> Vinyl Engine, which hopefully will  help avoid having 
> unobtainable invisible pieces flying across the room as I 
> tear into this thing.
>
> Meanwhile, any  hints from one who has been there, done 
> that would be appreciated!
>
> 73, Bob W9RAN
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