New Project...Phillips 212 !!!...like I have the time...!

[beerme]

Hi All,

So, today, whilst at work, my fleabay purchase arrives, a Phillips G(R?)212, (MK2, its got the later hinges for the cover), and I am filled with enthusiasm!!

After getting home from work, I open up the, (battered), box to a slew of bubblewrap. Now, I did give the seller some instructions regarding packing, and he followed them......it is my fault that when I asked him to remove the cartridge/stylus and pack it in its own box to avoid damages that I didn't tell him not to put the nuts and bolts from the headshell in with the 'nude' stylii so that they did not flail about and damage each other....

.....anyhoo, no plug, phono's are 'flaky' to say the least, it is FILTHY......BUT, once plug attached...IT WORKS!!

I am a headphone man and do not have a pre-amp with any kind of equalisation, but I do have numerous head-amps and using one of these I even got SOUND out of the old girl!!

The wood is good, speed holds well even though I know a new belt is needed, all 'major' things work, and it reproduces sound from the vinyl I purchased in a charity shop after realising I would not be able to even test it when I got home from work as my stack of vinyl is 'somewhere' that I don't recall being easy to access!!

So, this is my new project. I will keep you updated as I progress, (with pics, will add some of it 'as received' soon). If anyone has suggestions, feel free....I will probably not implement them but you can always give it a go!! I intend to,(asthetically), restore to the 'factory shipped' condition but with a few upgrades under the surface!

Wish me luck,
Dave.

[flavio81]

I like that TT although i haven't heard one. AFAIK the flutter is extremely low with the control system used.

[beerme]

Here are some pics of the TT as it arrived, all I have done is attach a plug and clean some NASTY brownish gunk off the silver top casing.

[andrewdk]

wow its so huge! looks like a beauty!

[beerme]

Any upgrade suggestions...??

[Etnier]

I remember those! Not so huge, though, as I recall. That's a 7" disc in the photos... and the built-in 45 adapter in the center...

[beerme]

Hi All, sorry for the delay in updating, but I was not joking RE: "...like I have the time..."!!

So, today, the missus and daughter are away; this means after I got home from work at 8 I had the chance to take a look at the TT! So, first things first, lets have some electronical pron shall we.....



....very nice...

I spun the platter without the belt, with the outer platter on, and timed how long it rotated under its own steam, 2m 17s, which I thought was pretty good, but after doing this a few times and listening by putting my ear right next to the centre pin, I could hear some 'faint' scraping in the bearing.





The first pic is of the bearing as-is. It has a small copper tab underneath the 'point' of the bearing, (top in the pic), in the second pic it is removed. I inspected and it does not look worn, (the copper tab), upon reading the manual it seems that the bearing is 'maintenance free' and I could not remove it so I think I will leave it....unless someone can advise me otherwise....



..in this pic I am replacing the burnt out bulbs, all now work as they should and I have noticed that once replaced, the 'touch' sensitive buttons are MUCH more responsive, the lightest touch now completes the circuit whereas before, it would take 2 or 3 goes before the circuit would close and the table start / stop.



In this pic you can see the wiring, even after 30 - odd years is still good...even the flux they didn't bother to remove is still 'fresh'



....and this is just some of the gunk I cleaned off the motor pulley and inner platter!!

More updates to follow and I will try not to leave it so long next time.....

[Alec124c41]

It looks to me like there is a hole in the middle of the bottom of the spindle. This would suggest that there should be a ball bearing, that would be held in place and rotate on the copper tab/thrust plate. A dab of molylube there would not hurt.

Cheers,
Alec

[gene212]

I notice a hole in the brass casing to the motor. Any ideas what it's for? Perhaps for circuit cleaner? The motor according to Philips is self lubricating.

[Steerpike_jhb]

I notice a hole in the brass casing to the motor. Any ideas what it's for? Perhaps for circuit cleaner? The motor according to Philips is self lubricating.

I say do NOT squirt anything in there!
I suspect they use the same motor shell on several types of motor, some of which have an internal speed adjustment. On this one, it's just a redundant hole, probably sealed off by the rubber gasket inside. Many (most?) Philips motors you cannot open, they are held together by compressing/bending the metal, and if you do open them, things break or bend beyond re-assembly.

[vincitsemper]

Hello,

Where did you find the replacement bulbs for your 212? I could do with a couple myself!

By the way, someone once told me that these Philips use the same drive systems as a Fons Q. Not sure if that is true, though.

Cheers,

Victor.

[Mariogert]

Hello,

Where did you find the replacement bulbs for your 212? I could do with a couple myself!

By the way, someone once told me that these Philips use the same drive systems as a Fons Q. Not sure if that is true, though.

Cheers,

Victor.

I have had a Fons CQ30 and indeed it uses the same motor and steering schematics. These motor do wear out on their brushes however and are not for sale anymore.....
Finding old 212 and 222's may help you on the way here, just butcher the power supplies and motors.
Mario Gert

[gene212]

Philips GA 212 replacement bulbs can be purchased from Mark Voigt...email:soundbug1@cox.net
Seller claims that bulbs are custom made in Gemany for Philips 212. Appropriate voltage so as not to interfere with pitch of table.

[gaslover]

Beware the on/off switch! Notorious for breaking. Best to leave it in the on position, and plug table into a switched pre-amp socket.