Replacing the felt on a turntable - photos added

[richardh]

Well I have the felt and a turntable in desperate need of re-felting and I was after any tips anyone might have about how I should do it.

The turntable has a small lip around the edge that it needs to fit up against so the felt needs to be slightly smaller in circumference that the turntable itself. I will take a photo tomorrow to show you what its like. Tips on how to get a neat finish, what to use to stick the felt down with and tips on how to get a neat centre hole would be great.

Also, what do people think about replacing turntable felt. What is on the isn't too bad but it would be nice for it to match the felt on the other parts on view which I have had to replace (this is a Victor series 1 changer). Should I replace it, should I cut out a new piece and just lay it on top or should I just leave it alone. Views would be welcome.

RJ

[Brad]

RJ,

I can't comment on your particular case without a picture, however, I replaced the felt on a Columbia floor model and while the replacement was clean, I personally prefer to see some age in my machines so I don't replace the felt unless is is absolutely necessary, which it was in this case. It looks too clean for my likes, but it is all personal taste.

Check out the pictures I posted of the restoration in http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=7&t=146 . The last picture is of the replaced felt. You can click the picture and get a full size rendering.

I used spray on adheasive to attach. I glued some brown kraft paper to the metal platter to prevent the holes in platter from telegraphing through. Then I attached the felt to the paper.

The platter had a raised ridge around the outside. I used a larger piece of felt and then used a razor blade utility knife (new blade)and trimmed around the inside of the ridge. You can see that it trimmed out clean.

If you use spray adheasive be sure to mask off the spindle hole and the outer rim of the platter.

[Schmaltz]

I'm inclined to agree with Brad. My most recent Victrola (just yer basic VV-X) still has its original felt and, while flawed, it's part of the character of the machine. Giving the felt a "Woolite" sponge bath took the old cigarette smoke smell out of it and also brought its good green color back.

[Henry]

My XI felt also responded nicely to gentle Woolite-and-toothbrush cleaning, but I think Brad's replacement was certainly justified given the condition of the original, and the results speak for themselves. If mine had been in as bad shape I probably would have replaced it; as it is, I have a couple of pieces of green felt ordered for the purpose but never installed. I'm glad now that I just cleaned mine, as it responded so well to cleaning. I decided to live with the proverbial "ten-inch ring" on the felt, as it lends an aura of authenticity (wonder why this is so common? It looks as though folks had mighty poor aim when laying the needle down at the beginning of the record!).

BTW, Brad, I think the Columbia looks terrific---congratulations!

[gramophoneshane]

I voted for changing it to match, but I think it really depends on the machine itself.
If the whole cabinets been refinished & every other piece of felts been replaced, then there's not much point preserving the turntable felt.
Even if the finish is good & original, but the TT made the machine look really daggy because of the new felt I'd replace.
I'm not sure just how much felt besides the turntable can be clearly seen on them though.
It would be a different story if all the felt was original but the TT looked like crap, or was the only felt visible like on most machines, I'd still keep it then & put up with it, but otherwise I don't really see any benifit in keeping one piece of felt original. It's not going to make the machine worth any more or less. It's probably just going to annoy you every time you go to use it.
I'd rather replace it now too, rather than in 5 or 10 yrs when the other felt has a bit of age to it, then you're stuck with the TT looking brand new against the other felt again.
If you're really stuck on keeping the original, then I'd just place a new piece on top purely for cosmetic purposes.

[richardh]

Here are some pictures of the various parts of my VE 9-55 that I have been working on (cleaning them up and repairing where necessary). The record collection drawer has been refelted as what was in there was all torn and falling apart. Plus the drawer pull was loose and could only be tightened from the inside by removing the felt anyway. For this I used billiard table felt which is the right colour and is very very durable. (I have a pile of it left over if anyone needs some)

The record holders were just cleaned up and polished and the felt cleaned. The small drawer for bits and pieces has been cleaned as it had a pile of what looked like dried grease in the middle of it (!)

I have included some pictures of the turntable showing the discolorisation and damage and one showing a piece of new felt for comparison. I am tempted to leave it for the time being apart from cleaning it to see what it looks like on the finished machine. But as asked before I would welcome views. Brad - thanks for the link to your restoration project and I can see why you replaced the felt in that instance. It makes my felt look pristine!

RJ

[richardh]

Just an additional question whilst I have it in my mind..... on all the parts of my 9-55 cabinet they all have the same number stamped into the wood....450......does anyone know if this is the number assigned to this particular cabinet whilst being constructed. Alternatively was it the cabinet design number or could it be the ID number of the person working on this particular cabinet. I assumed it was probably the first option but would be interested to know if anyone else actually knows the answer.

RJ

[gramophoneshane]

The TT felt doesn't look too bad. Personally I'd be giving a good clean as stated above before deciding one way or the other. You might be surprized how well it comes up.

[richardh]

Shane,

I think you might be right. I wil try a good clean to see if I can get the dirt and purple smeary stuff off. On the underside of the turntable there are holes in the metal and you can see the original colour of the felt - and it is identical to the sample I have placed over part of the original felt. Just shows how grubby it really is!

I will have a go at cleaning and see what happens.

RJ

[Steve]

That felt looks just fine. If it's dirty, just remove the turntable and wash it! Yes, I do mean whilst the felt is still attached to the platter too. I've washed many turntable felts this way and never had a problem yet. Good old washing up liquid and warm water left to soak in a sink for a few hours. It'll come up like new, trust me!

And to the naysayers I'd add, don't panic the turntable can't rust IN water for an afternoon. Shake off the loose water, stand the platter on its edge so the water drains off and then leave it in the sun for an hour or by a heater. It might even smell fresh too.