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Two questions: 1) What is the purpose of the two screws at roughly 6 and 9 o'clock on the collar of the bottom mounted (non-overhang) Orthophonic tone arm support; 2) how to correctly disassemble and properly clean and lubricate same.

There's likely more drag associated with this type of bracket and I'd like to minimize it as much as possible.

I've researched this on the forum search page and didn't see these topics. Plenty of stuff about the usually always crumbled Orthophonic back brackets of the overhang/pin variety.

The two screws you mention hold a bearing ring or collar which keeps the tone arm and ball bearings in place. You'll notice the screw holes are elongated, and that allows for adjustment so that the joint is held in place while allowing freedom of movement.
It's best to do all cleaning and adjusting with the whole assembly out of the machine by removing the four large screws on the base. Removing the two smaller screws will allow you to lift the tone arm off the base, revealing the ball bearings and locating ring. Don't lose the ball bearings! Everything can be cleaned, and then re-assembled. I use a little light grease to help the ball bearings stay in place during re-assembly. Once the two screws are in place it's an easy matter to determine adjustment for joint flexibility.
I myself find this design better than the later one with the support brackets. I've had no problems adjusting for movement, drag, etc. Maybe it was an economic choice for the change. Any thoughts?
Bob

It can be a bit frustrating trying to get those little ball bearings to sit in the right spots when reassembling.
Give them a good smear with wheel bearing grease, so they stick in place.
The later style bracket, although subject to cracking, has a much deeper race to hold the bearings.

Gene

Thank you very much, Bob and Gene!

barnettrp21122 wrote:I myself find this design better than the later one with the support brackets. I've had no problems adjusting for movement, drag, etc. Maybe it was an economic choice for the change. Any thoughts?
Bob

I have wondered about this, too and questioned whether the change was economic or scientific.