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Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:42 am
by Raphael
This is slightly off-topic, but worth mentioning here: Yesterday I visited Wayne at his home, the purpose being to inspect a machine on behalf of clients of mine.

I was overwhelmed on several fronts. First of all, the inventory of his machines, some in various stages of restoration. It's fair to say he's got the biggest selection of huge console-model Victrolas, Columbias, etc. anywhere in the world.

But more awe-inspiring was his 100% devotion and dedication to the genre, depth of knowledge, and hunger to learn more. He's truly "The Man" when it comes to this stuff. And the needle on my BS Meter never budged, he gave straight and sincere answers to every question I posed.

If anybody on this forum is considering a purchase of, say, a VE-9-55, or VE-10-50, etc., I would highly recommend they start (and finish) with Wayne.

Raphael

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:28 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
Raphael, thank you very much for your very kind words and it was very much a pleasure to meet you. Btw, I don’t have anymore VE 10-50s, other than the coin-op VE 10-50 and my last VE 9-55 cabinet that has a VE 10-50 inside it, both of which I’m keeping for myself. I’m currently awaiting for the electronic parts to rebuild the amps for the three complete and very beautiful VE 10-55 Electrolas.

Back to the turntable replacements for the VE 10-70s which will be my next projects...

I picked up and tested the raw aluminum turntable prototype. It weighs 2.5 lbs. It’s flat and does not wobble. To have these to look like the original, it will take three steps/companies. Today, I took the prototype over to the machinist to get a quote to get it milled to have the same form as the original. Then I took it over to a place to get a quote to have it gold anodized. These last two steps will increase my cost considerably, but I believe I am going to go ahead with the project. Below is the raw unfinished prototype:

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:34 pm
by PeterF
Suggest you delete milling the perimeter lip and drilling the three holes, to keep the mass closer to that of the heavier original, and reduce cost.

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:46 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
Peter, thanks for your suggestion but the tiny difference in weight isn’t worth it to me to make them look different from the original. The photo below shows the aluminum anodized samples. The gold looks to be a perfect match.

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 5:51 pm
by PeterF
Your choice, appearance vs performance. I once was paid to make the nylock inserts on a bunch of tiny locknuts match in color inside and underneath the six carbs on a Ferrari 365GTC/4. Never mind that they were only viewable after a lengthy partial disassembly and then using a mirror...some were blue and some were yellow!

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 6:45 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
I hear you but the aluminum is a pound lighter and filling those holes won’t make more than once of difference, thus I feel not make any difference on performance. I tested it, the music sounded fine and the changing of records was also a success. You even indicated your aluminum one worked fine. When performance isn’t an issue, appearance is very important.

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 2:04 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
Well, step #1 is complete after picking up the 10 sets of aluminum parts (3 for my VE 10-70s, 4 for spare changers for future machines, and 3 I will likely sell) from the Waterjet metal cutting shop, tapping the holes in the hub part, and temporarily attaching the two parts with two SS screws. Monday I will drop them off at the machine shop for step #2 to precisely drill the spindle hole, angle the holes for the screws so they will be recessed, mill the correct diameter, and mill the top surface and edge to be exactly like the originals.

I had some slight differences incorporated from my prototype at the waterjet shop that was needed to provide more metal for the machinist to drill and millt off to obtain exact measurements. This included increasing the thickness of the main part of the platter from ½” to ⅝”. Note that the weight increased from 2 lbs. 8 oz. to 3 lbs. 6 oz. Also note the original is 3 lbs 8 oz.

I am in belief that weight doesn’t mater in that I think the changer motors use the same coils as the ones in the Credenza and other machines and that there is a significant difference of the platters’ weight. I will test this theory out when my Sencore LC103 arrives and I can compare measurements of the coils from each.

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 5:48 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
Well, step #2 is complete. I picked up the ten turntables from the machinist today. I now have well over a grand invested in these parts and the investment costs will continue. Once I test these out on my VE 9-55, I will wipe them down, and take them to the gold anodizing company for what I am calling step #3. I will also be taking the VE 9-25 Loop Antenna Arm Gears over for Gold Anodizing too, once I am done filing and sanding smooth the part that protrudes up from Radiola 28 board. Unlike the originals, I will be having the whole turntable and Arm Gear gold anodized due to it costing less than having them masked off.

Note that the turntable’s weight is just under 3 lbs.

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:38 pm
by electrolaman 64
Hey Wayne!

This look great! :D :!:

Carlton
Electrolaman 64

Re: Does the weight of an Electrola changer platter matter?

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:30 pm
by Victrola-Monkey
Aluminum replacement turntables complete.