Technics SL-5200 top cover repair. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

samjmann · 21st Nov 2023, 2:48 pm

The top covers on these decks suffer with the built in plastic hinges breaking off. There's a whole range of models with similar hinge arrangements. This one came to me with the hinge lug broken off, and a severe crack on one side from the remains of the old hinge. The hinge replacements are easy in that they are availble as a small kit on ebay for about £8.00.

The bad break was more of a problem. What I did was to get a piece of 3mm acrylic black gloss made to measure to fit inside the rear side of the cover. This was double-sided-taped into place. The outside of the cover now showed the tape and didn't look good. This was sprayed satin black which covered up the glue joins in the perspex.

Finally, the new hinges were attached and the whole cover repolished.

I'm quite pleased with it overall. It was fiddly to get the hinge position just right, but it feels strong. the rear cover is now in effect 6mm thick. The original cover is 3mm.

The made to measure acrylic cost £27.00. Only took a few days to make up.
So given cost of a new cover this is viable. Re-finishing etc about another £30 in materials.

The decks electronics were fine. I fitted a LED replacement cue light. The mech was full of the usual hardened grease.

SJM.

PaulR · 22nd Nov 2023, 12:23 pm

It is always intersting to look at the ingenious ways that people make good items that, on first glance, would appear beyond repair.

That looks really good, and much stronger than the original.

vinrads · 22nd Nov 2023, 6:33 pm

A very neat solution ,I had a new cover made for my Technics SL3200 at I thought was a reasonable price at £50 it looks the part. Mick.

samjmann · 24th Nov 2023, 12:23 am

Thanks for the kind comments. This was my first attempt at anything like this. The back of the cover looked awful, with a crack extending all the way to the top. Hence the need to mask this with the black paint all the way round to 4mm into the top and sides. This also masked the edge of the new acrylic.

As ever when you tackle something, afterwards with a PHD in hindsight you think of ways that would have saved time and effort. But that's the way it goes.

Special thanks to forum member David G4EBT for help with the re-polishing tips.

SJM.

21st Nov 2023, 2:48 pm	#1
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 600	Technics SL-5200 top cover repair. The top covers on these decks suffer with the built in plastic hinges breaking off. There's a whole range of models with similar hinge arrangements. This one came to me with the hinge lug broken off, and a severe crack on one side from the remains of the old hinge. The hinge replacements are easy in that they are availble as a small kit on ebay for about £8.00. The bad break was more of a problem. What I did was to get a piece of 3mm acrylic black gloss made to measure to fit inside the rear side of the cover. This was double-sided-taped into place. The outside of the cover now showed the tape and didn't look good. This was sprayed satin black which covered up the glue joins in the perspex. Finally, the new hinges were attached and the whole cover repolished. I'm quite pleased with it overall. It was fiddly to get the hinge position just right, but it feels strong. the rear cover is now in effect 6mm thick. The original cover is 3mm. The made to measure acrylic cost £27.00. Only took a few days to make up. So given cost of a new cover this is viable. Re-finishing etc about another £30 in materials. The decks electronics were fine. I fitted a LED replacement cue light. The mech was full of the usual hardened grease. SJM. Attached Thumbnails __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...

22nd Nov 2023, 12:23 pm	#2
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,136	Re: Technics SL-5200 top cover repair. It is always intersting to look at the ingenious ways that people make good items that, on first glance, would appear beyond repair. That looks really good, and much stronger than the original. __________________ Paul

22nd Nov 2023, 6:33 pm	#3
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,655	Re: Technics SL-5200 top cover repair. A very neat solution ,I had a new cover made for my Technics SL3200 at I thought was a reasonable price at £50 it looks the part. Mick.

24th Nov 2023, 12:23 am	#4
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 600	Re: Technics SL-5200 top cover repair. Thanks for the kind comments. This was my first attempt at anything like this. The back of the cover looked awful, with a crack extending all the way to the top. Hence the need to mask this with the black paint all the way round to 4mm into the top and sides. This also masked the edge of the new acrylic. As ever when you tackle something, afterwards with a PHD in hindsight you think of ways that would have saved time and effort. But that's the way it goes. Special thanks to forum member David G4EBT for help with the re-polishing tips. SJM. __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...