Sharp 185E stylus screw - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vampyretim · 7th Mar 2019, 3:37 pm

Hi,

am working on a sharp record player at the moment and have annoyingly lost the tiny screw that holds the stylus to the cartridge. I believe that the stylus is a Sharp 185E. Does anyone know what screw I can use as a replacement?

Many thanks,
Tim.

Edward Huggins · 7th Mar 2019, 5:12 pm

You might be able to use the very small screw from a Collaro "Studio" or BSR TC8 series cartridge.

Uncle Bulgaria · 7th Mar 2019, 11:03 pm

How small is small, Tim? I have no personal experience with the screw in question, but I'm a skilled practitioner of the 'feel around on the floor game'.

Do you have an idea of the thread form or length? A tap drill passed through the hole will give an idea of the major shank diameter. You might be pleasantly surprised at the mail-order variety of screws available.

ben · 8th Mar 2019, 2:57 am

There was a recent thread on this. That cart is a Vaco luxor, based on the ancient BSR TC8 design, and tended to be found in budget Japanese portable players from the early 70s. Why such a modern unit would use such a crude pick up is beyond me!

Most of these carts I have come into contact with in the last few years had also deteriorated and had total or partial loss of audio on one or both channels.

I would suggest replacing it with a BSR SC12 which will track better, protect your records more, and more importantly sound far better.

rontech · 8th Mar 2019, 10:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bulgaria

How small is small, Tim? I have no personal experience with the screw in question, but I'm a skilled practitioner of the 'feel around on the floor game'.

My technique for the microscopic item on the carpet:- use a powerful torch of the bulb / reflector type, rest torch on the carpet almost parallel with the surface and scan slowly round in a circle. The "radar" beam usually usually locates the offender I find.

Kentode · 8th Mar 2019, 10:10 am

I'm a fan of the " magnet on a string " method, drawing it from one side of the room to the other whilst walking backwards.

Quite often the missing items are found some distance from where you expect. Sod's law l suppose!

vampyretim · 8th Mar 2019, 4:46 pm

Thanks guys,

It's smaller than a tc8 screw as I have tried one!

rontech · 10th Mar 2019, 1:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentode

I'm a fan of the " magnet on a string " method, drawing it from one side of the room to the other whilst walking backwards.

Quite often the missing items are found some distance from where you expect. Sod's law l suppose!

For some reason I never lose ferrous items. They always seem to be brass, plastic or aluminium!

Edward Huggins · 10th Mar 2019, 2:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vampyretim

Thanks guys,

It's smaller than a tc8 screw as I have tried one!

You might get one from a watchmaker/repairer?
As has been already suggested, a NOS cartridge might serve you far better.

7th Mar 2019, 3:37 pm	#1
vampyretim Heptode Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 538	Sharp 185E stylus screw Hi, am working on a sharp record player at the moment and have annoyingly lost the tiny screw that holds the stylus to the cartridge. I believe that the stylus is a Sharp 185E. Does anyone know what screw I can use as a replacement? Many thanks, Tim.

7th Mar 2019, 5:12 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,338	Re: Sharp 185E stylus screw You might be able to use the very small screw from a Collaro "Studio" or BSR TC8 series cartridge. __________________ Edward.

7th Mar 2019, 11:03 pm	#3
Uncle Bulgaria Nonode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,338	Re: Sharp 185E stylus screw How small is small, Tim? I have no personal experience with the screw in question, but I'm a skilled practitioner of the 'feel around on the floor game'. Do you have an idea of the thread form or length? A tap drill passed through the hole will give an idea of the major shank diameter. You might be pleasantly surprised at the mail-order variety of screws available.

8th Mar 2019, 2:57 am	#4
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Sharp 185E stylus screw There was a recent thread on this. That cart is a Vaco luxor, based on the ancient BSR TC8 design, and tended to be found in budget Japanese portable players from the early 70s. Why such a modern unit would use such a crude pick up is beyond me! Most of these carts I have come into contact with in the last few years had also deteriorated and had total or partial loss of audio on one or both channels. I would suggest replacing it with a BSR SC12 which will track better, protect your records more, and more importantly sound far better. __________________ Regards, Ben.

8th Mar 2019, 10:10 am	#6
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,303	Re: Sharp 185E stylus screw I'm a fan of the " magnet on a string " method, drawing it from one side of the room to the other whilst walking backwards. Quite often the missing items are found some distance from where you expect. Sod's law l suppose! __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

8th Mar 2019, 4:46 pm	#7
vampyretim Heptode Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 538	Re: Sharp 185E stylus screw Thanks guys, It's smaller than a tc8 screw as I have tried one!