Turntable slipping - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

slapsally · 13th Jun 2008, 12:21 pm

Hi, I'm new to the forum but have owned 3 1950's Radiograms for 20 odd years.
Unfortunately my favourite one a R.D.G with a Garrad RC120H is playing up, the speed 'slips' as records play disorting the sound.
How might I correct this.
Cheers
Tony

peter_sol · 13th Jun 2008, 12:42 pm

Is this on 45's or 33's or even 78's or all?

ben · 13th Jun 2008, 3:55 pm

if by slipping you mean speeding up/slowing down, first thing to do is clean the inner rim of the platter with alcohol and give the surface of the rubber idler a good going-over with fine sandpaper/ an emery board at a pinch.

dseymo1 · 13th Jun 2008, 5:12 pm

Does the RC120 use the belt-driven speed change mechanism? If so, you may need a new belt - it's very short to expect its stretch to last too long.

slapsally · 14th Jun 2008, 7:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_sol

Is this on 45's or 33's or even 78's or all?

It's on all speeds

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

if by slipping you mean speeding up/slowing down, first thing to do is clean the inner rim of the platter with alcohol and give the surface of the rubber idler a good going-over with fine sandpaper/ an emery board at a pinch.

I gave this ago, and watched the operation with the 'patter' removed. I tightend up the spring holding the large rubber disc onto the spinning 'stepped' part, but still no joy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseymo1

Does the RC120 use the belt-driven speed change mechanism? If so, you may need a new belt - it's very short to expect its stretch to last too long.

Thanks but its not belt driven.

Perhaps I need a new rubber disc (idler?) Anybody know where I could get one?
Cheers for your help so far.

ben · 16th Jun 2008, 9:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapsally

It's on all speeds
I gave this ago, and watched the operation with the 'patter' removed. I tightend up the spring holding the large rubber disc onto the spinning 'stepped' part, but still no joy.

is the rubber hard and shiny on the edge of that disc? if so, that's probably why it didn't respond to the sandpaper treatment, and replacement may be the only option. however, a few things to try first:

1.remove the rubber idler wheel altogether, unclipping the retaining clip, and lubricate the little post it sits on. be careful not to get oil anywhere near the rubber or platter.
2. relubricate the central shaft of the platter . you may need to clean off the old grease first. Do not use wd40 in any area! watch out for any ball bearings at the base.

the above cures 99% of speed problems on these decks. good luck, Ben

slapsally · 1st Jul 2008, 10:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

is the rubber hard and shiny on the edge of that disc? if so, that's probably why it didn't respond to the sandpaper treatment, and replacement may be the only option. however, a few things to try first:

1.remove the rubber idler wheel altogether, unclipping the retaining clip, and lubricate the little post it sits on. be careful not to get oil anywhere near the rubber or platter.
2. relubricate the central shaft of the platter . you may need to clean off the old grease first. Do not use wd40 in any area! watch out for any ball bearings at the base.

the above cures 99% of speed problems on these decks. good luck, Ben

Many thanks to all who posted sugestions, the above worked like a dream!
Thanks again

ben · 2nd Jul 2008, 12:56 pm

Nice work Tony! Glad it was useful and good to hear of another machine brought back to usefulness.

Patrick Dixon · 2nd Jul 2008, 6:13 pm

Cleaning the idler with cellulose thinners can also help restore some grip.

13th Jun 2008, 12:21 pm	#1
slapsally Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Helensburgh Posts: 3	Turntable slipping Hi, I'm new to the forum but have owned 3 1950's Radiograms for 20 odd years. Unfortunately my favourite one a R.D.G with a Garrad RC120H is playing up, the speed 'slips' as records play disorting the sound. How might I correct this. Cheers Tony

13th Jun 2008, 12:42 pm	#2
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Turntable slipping Is this on 45's or 33's or even 78's or all?

13th Jun 2008, 3:55 pm	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Turntable slipping if by slipping you mean speeding up/slowing down, first thing to do is clean the inner rim of the platter with alcohol and give the surface of the rubber idler a good going-over with fine sandpaper/ an emery board at a pinch.

13th Jun 2008, 5:12 pm	#4
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Turntable slipping Does the RC120 use the belt-driven speed change mechanism? If so, you may need a new belt - it's very short to expect its stretch to last too long.

2nd Jul 2008, 12:56 pm	#8
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Turntable slipping Nice work Tony! Glad it was useful and good to hear of another machine brought back to usefulness.

2nd Jul 2008, 6:13 pm	#9
Patrick Dixon Hexode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 480	Re: Turntable slipping Cleaning the idler with cellulose thinners can also help restore some grip.