Td125 Armboard For Jelco 750d

[RedPhil]

Hi

I'm thinking of changing the sme 3009 s2 arm on my td 125 mk1 for a Jelco 750d, by the way any comments on this are welcome. Does anyone have a template for an armboard to take this arm. I'm considering either knocking something up myself out of ply or depending on cost asking the guy who built my plinth to make me one in the same material - American dark walnut. Any thoughts on choice of wood?

Thanks Phil

[jlossint]

There are several suppliers on ebay to choose from. Walnut or rosewood. If you are going to do something yourself I believe MDF (12mm) is a good, cut out the hole and then, put on some veneer. (If you mess up the hole it is just some MDF)

[rho]

I would go with MDF and veneer too.
A template is can be downloaded from here.

[RedPhil]

Thanks guys, how difficult is it to apply a veneer? Do I need specialist kit, can the veneer be got easily - local diy for instance. Guess what I'm saying is I don't know where to start, any advice
Cheers Phil

[rho]

Applying isn't that difficult.
I use 2 methods.
1) apply some woodglue with a small paint-roller, on the MDF. Put the (oversized) veneer on the MDF.
Put an other board on the veneered side and apply pressure for about ½ hour up to an hour.
Cut veneer to size with a cutter-knife. Ready.
2) Use veneer with the glue already applied. Use an iron to iron the veneer on the MDF surface (the glue melts a little when heated). Cut veneer to size.

The "pre-glued" veneer is available in most DIY shops. But it's hard to find in more exotic kinds wood.
For the other stuff you need to find a specialist shop I'm afraid. Veneer may come inlarge sheets. I mainly use it loudspeakers.

[jlossint]

I agree with rho. I have used his method 1) but:

1/ Glue small venéer strips to all sides that are visible first. Then glue the larger top and bottom piece. You have to put venéer to the bottom of the armboard to prevent the armboard from varping.

I used white glue. It happends that some glue "wets" throu the venéer, therefore use a few pages of newspaper to isolate the venéer from the pressure blocks. It is easier to sand down some paper than a whole block.

[rho]

I agree with rho. I have used his method 1) but:

1/ Glue small venéer strips to all sides that are visible first. Then glue the larger top and bottom piece. You have to put venéer to the bottom of the armboard to prevent the armboard from varping.

I used white glue. It happends that some glue "wets" throu the venéer, therefore use a few pages of newspaper to isolate the venéer from the pressure blocks. It is easier to sand down some paper than a whole block.

Good advise!

[RedPhil]

Thanks fellas

Think I'll have a crack

Anyone any views on the Jelco on the td 125

Phil

[rho]

I was hoping you could tell me about it when you have mounted it.

[RedPhil]

Might be some time got to save the pennies. Beans on toast for the kids again

[rho]

I haven't finished the plinth for mine yet, so I'm in no hurry.

[Khorn60th]

Hi, Is the Jelco a better sounding arm than the old SME 3009 ? Cheers.

[RedPhil]

Hi, apologies for opening up an old thread. I've finally got the new arm set up and given it a few weeks for me to get used to it, so here I am reporting back as promised. Must admit quite enjoyed the job of making the armboard though by the time I bought all the bits and pieces of kit I needed have might of been cheaper to buy one ready made - but then I wouldn't have had all the fun. Here's a photo, probably needs a coat of varnish but not too shabby a job if I say so myself.



Anyway purpose of reporting back - the question of whether this arm offers an improvement over the SME 3009 s2 that was on there before. I'd say IMO it does all that the SME did really well plus a lot more. What I loved about the previous set up was the warm reproduction of vocal and small group acoustic music - I listen to a lot of soul and jazz and I had no complaints about the SME set up in this respect but it always left me a bit cold with rock and some heavier styles of classical music. If pushed I'd say some styles of music lacked drive - didn't make me jump up out of my seat. Anyway the Jelco is easily the equal of the SME in the way it delivers vocal and acoustic but in a different league when the temperature gets hotter

For me it's been a successful experiment as I sold on the SME for a reasonable price on the bay and got a decent deal on the Jelco so it didn't cost too much.

Very happy all round. Thanks for the advice previously on the arm board, now the only question remaining is what I'm going to do with all that left over mdf, veneer, and a brand-new jigsaw

[rho]

That's looking really good. Well done! A not too glossy clear coat would look good on it, IMO.

Thanks for the report on the Jelco. If I ever get to finishing my TD125 project I might go for a Jelco too.

With regard to the left-overs: Maybe some FR desktop speakers?