Orthophonic Tone Arm Bracket Advice Needed (Update!)

[Couch Potato]

Recently received my new orthophonic reproduction tone arm bracket. Now need to figure out how that bottom plate comes off the old one and releases the tone arm and ball bearings. I see two screws holding the old bracket to the plate but removing those alone does not seem to release the bracket from the plate. Does anyone know if the plates were glued to the bracket? Or perhaps there is some press type fitting arrangement occurring? Does anyone have any advice on how to best separate these two parts without inflecting unwanted damage to the parts which must be reused? Once back together my 4-7 will be up and running again. Thoughts recommendations?

[52089]

Remove the 2 screws, then take a hammer and whack the old pot metal bracket to pieces. No, I'm not kidding. Protect the tonearm with towels and wear protective goggles.

[AZ*]

It's often impossible to remove the old bracket without destroying it because the pot metal has swelled in the steel base. So breaking it up to get it out is how I do it. I've done several.

[alang]

Just did the same on my VV-4-3. I did not take a hammer, was afraid to damage the plate. I used pliers to break apart the old bracket piece by piece. Of course, mine had the additional challenge that a previous owner had repaired the old bracket with JB Weld, so it was not only stuck but also glued in. I had to re-paint the bottom plate afterwards, but otherwise no damage. Be careful not to damage the track for the ball bearings.
Good luck
Andreas

[phonogal]

Sorry to high jack your thread. Where did you get your new bracket as i need one too? Thanks.

[52089]

Sorry to high jack your thread. Where did you get your new bracket as i need one too? Thanks.

Ron Sitko has them. They're around $75. Be aware there are 2 different sizes, so tell him what model you need it for.

[Couch Potato]

I took the advice and tapped most of the old bracket out with a small hammer. Getting the ring below the plate out was not a pleasant task. The pot metal down there had herculean strength (who would have thought?). Below is a picture of what was found in side after cleaning up, and how it looks once re-assembled. There was a ton of old very hard grease down in the ball bearing area which I cleaned out. Now the million dollar question just how much grease should go back in there? A small amount as we would put on an older Victrola? Or does it need a significant amount so that the transition from tone arm to bracket stays sealed to maximize the flow of sound?

And the new Bracket fit perfectly!

[phonogal]

Sorry to high jack your thread. Where did you get your new bracket as i need one too? Thanks.

Ron Sitko has them. They're around $75. Be aware there are 2 different sizes, so tell him what model you need it for.

Thank you. I'll contact Ron.