phk record cleaning machine & commercial shop vac

[rbwinterlink]

Good morning all,

I just wanted to share with everyone what vac I am using presently. After look at and listening to several wet/dry shop vac's, I decided on the "Husky" model HV02000 from Home Depot. I had a price range in mind that I wanted the vac to meed. I also wanted to be able to remain in the same area with the vac while it suctioned the gue and junk from my precious records. That being said, I felt the "Husky" met my needs more closely than did other vacs.

Initially, I though it would have too much suction but it was the least powerful of the vacs Home Depot carried other than a hand held job which I did not want. So far so good. This vac mates very well with my PHK record cleaning machine and does an excellent job of getting all the mess off my records. Everyone have a blessed day and weekend please.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[kylehasgeniusbits]

Question on the PHK, what specifications for a vacuum need to be met? I have an old Rainbow wet vac, would that work?

[rbwinterlink]

Good evening all,

I don't know if your old wet vac will work. As a matter of fact I am not familiar with the brand you have. Plus, if it's old, do you know what it's suction power is? I was hesitant about buying the vac I purchased because I was concerned that the suction would be too strong. However, I found that it is excellent and works really great. Here are the specs for my shop vac:

1. Name (Husky Shop Vac)
2. Price ($30)
3. Power (1.75 peak hp)
4. Power (4 amp motor)
5. Capacity (2.5 gallons)

I purchased this wet/dry shop vac from Home Depot. This is the least expensive and powerful shop vac I could find there. I did not want a hand vac because I felt that would not provide enough suction. Again, this wet/dry shop vac works very well with my PHK. It does a perfect job getting the gunk and all moisture off the record every time.

I notice you are located in NJ and have access to Lowes, Home Depot, Sears and other such stores. Look for the brand I got or get something similar. I must say, that of the shop vacs I auditioned, this one was the least noisy. I hope this helps. Have a blessed day.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[kylehasgeniusbits]

That is a reasonable price for a vac. I'll have to look up what the specs for mine are and see if they're similar.

One other thing, the part that you actually connect the vac to the cleaner, does that require a certain size tube from the vac? I assume different vacuums have different size tubes, is there a simple way to adapt them all to the PHK?

[rbwinterlink]

Hello Kyle,

Actually, I do believe that all wet/dry shop vacs have the same standard size fittings. So that should not be a worry for you. When I went looking for a shop vac my only concern was whether the suction would be too strong. I found out that if I stayed with the vac's that had 2 HP systems there would be no problems. As a matter of fact the "Husky" shop vac from Home Depot does amazing things when it comes to sucking the muck and gunk from the record through the PHK machine. They do wonderful things together.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[LousyTourist]

Kyle, does your Rainbow vac look something like this?



If so, it's waaaaay too good a vacuum to use on a DIY rcm

I have one myself and I think they retail in the cubic dollar range. Better to get a shop vac from your local big box store.

[Whitneyville]

Does someone have a contact e-addy for the PHK machine? It looks like what I need for my tons of garage/yard sale LP's. I've been washing them first in the kitchen sink using Simple Green (TM) cleaner. It's an excellent de-greaser and cleaner, then using my old Zenith Cobra-Matic record player with my 1" PVC pipe wrapped in velvet hooked to a "Quiet" line 3 1/2 HP Shop-Vac. Holes from 1/8" to 1/2" by 1/8" incrediments control the suction with some duct-tape. I cut a narrow slit in the pipe with a metal Dremel saw. The rig works quite well, but it's worse than slow. I've got 3-400 albums to clean to see if they are worth keeping. Plastic milk crates full, stacked to the ceiling in my wash-house of my garage. I've found some real "gems" in this pile. Some RCA Victor "Red Seal" classicals that are fantastic both in quality and performances. Also some Artur Snell conducting the CBS Orchestra and the New York Symphony from the early 50's. Mono, but some outstanding performances.

[timjthomas]

Here is the website to reach PHK: www.maquinaphk.hpg.ig.com.br/models.html
Their email contact is: maquinaphk@hotmail.com

[rbwinterlink]

Good morning all,

I think it wise to warn anyone who has decided to purchase this wonderful inexpensive machine to be careful. In my estimation it was never designed to be a "heavy duty" record cleaning machine. I will normally only clean 10 - 12 records at a time. I don't believe this machine was designed for marathon record cleaning sessions. Obviously, my concern is motor burnout.

For the price and what it was designed to do it can't be beat. And, when it's turned off and then back on, it will reverse itself so that record cleaning can be accomplished in the opposite direction. "How Nice".

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[timjthomas]

I've had my PHK for about a month now and have used it twice. The first time to clean 15 records and the second to clean 30. I haven't had a problem.

[rbwinterlink]

Hello TimjThomas,

It sounds as if you are having a great time cleaning records with your PHK record cleaning machine. I am happy because we and others are looking for a cost effective way to clean our records with some automatic features without paying and eye and leg

However, I am very mindful that the PHK is not a heavy duty machine and I don't think it will hold up over the long haul cleaning lots of records without letting the motor get a breath of air between cleanings. What I am trying to say, is when you've paid as little as we paid for this machine I can't expect it to do what the $2000 machines can do with their heavy duty motors. I am going to continue to clean no more than 12 to 12 records at a time and see where that takes me. Thanks for your comments sir.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[timjthomas]

Hi Bob,

I couldn't agree more with your reasoning. My only point was to indicate that I was able to clean quite a few more without an issue.

I had planned to clean no more than 10 or so, but my son ( walked over and asked to help. He was really enjoying himself and the music, so I couldn't stop. We had a lot of fun, and now he wants to make it a weekend ritual.

He gets to go downstairs and pick out 10 or so albums and bring them up to be cleaned, and then we listen to them throughout the week.

Happy Holidays!

-Tim

[rbwinterlink]

Good morning Tim,

Thank you for the response. I mainly wanted to caution you and others in the most gentle way I know how to be careful. Although the PHK is an awesome machine for the price we paid, we must be aware of what we are getting for a very small amount of $$$. I know we all want our PHK's to last for a long time. You, your family and friends all have a very blessed and wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.

[wintermute]

Curious - What did you guys pay for the RCM? Went to the web site but all their prices say to call....
_________________
Kent

---
Heating the home with:
Beam Echo DL7-35 Monoblocks
Hafler DH101 Pre as the Phono Pre
Soundstage Vacuum 2 pre-amp
Thorens TD124Mk2
Into old Magnapan's!

[rbwinterlink]

Hello Wintermute,

The reason there may not be a price quoted has to do with the changing value of the dollar. I still think this machine will cost less than $300 US dollars. The gentleman that makes this machine is one of the nicest guys I've met in a long while. He will answer any and all questions with a gracious and humble attitude. Don't hesitate to contact him.

By the way, which ole Magnapans are you using? I plan to purchase a pair of the 1.6's after I move. Have a wonderful day.

Bob
_________________
African American
I love modern Jazz, Christian and Classical Music. I listen to lots of Miles, Parker, Evans Coltrane, Berlioz, Byrd, Tallis, Bach and others. I listen to music on reel to reel tape recorder, DIY turntable & Parasound CD Transport.