Screwdrivers for DUAL 1249 Repair

[rafi93277]

Hi Folks,

I'm in the process of rewiring a DUAL 1249 tonearm and need some advice as to blade width and depth for metric screwdrivers that I will need to complete the process. I have a copy of the DUAL 1249 Repair Manual but cannot figure out the size of the little screw that connects the head shell retainer to the tonearm tube. Not sure if it is an AM 3 x 4 (see below.) I need to remove this in order to complete the tonearm rewire. Does anyone know the specs for this screw and the metric screwdriver that I would use?

Also, the tonearm wires have been removed by a previous owner from the short circuiter so I need to remove that also to attach new wiring. The screws for this are described in the repair manual as AM 3 x 4, so I'm hoping that someone can point me to the correct screwdriver for that.

I'm actually thinking of bypassing the current tonearm wiring setup--contact plate in the head shell retainer--and just connecting the cartridge directly to the tonearm wires. I already have the clips for that. I've read elsewhere that this can improve signal strength and sound quality. Good idea or utter madness?

If anyone can furnish me with the requested info and also any advice, etc., I'll be very grateful for your input!

Thank you! I enjoy very much reading the posts here regarding the 1249 and on other topics also!

Rafi
Visalia, California

[gg383]

You may have to wing it once you have the tonearm off the machine so you can get to the screw. Harbor Freight sells those Chinese precision screwdriver sets but they have very thin blades, they do come in handy on light duty jobs tho!! I've spent a ton of money over the years at Sears buying Craftsman tools never really looked for tiny screwdrivers there tho!! I don't think the screw is going to be torqued too much so I think the main problem is if it's recessed in a tiny hole, then the width of the screwdriver would come into play. Close should do you good on this, a screwdriver on a screw that's not torqued super tight could have a little play on the blade as long as you're careful. Sometimes the neighborhood hardware store can surprise you with some of the items they have. Bypassing the head shell sounds like an excellent idea to me since you're rewiring anyway, one less connection to go bad. Would be a pain tho if you get into different cartridges and want to start switching them out. Lot more tweezer work!!! Glenn.

[rafi93277]

Hi gg383,

Thank you for all of the useful information. My plan is to not remove the tonearm, because I want to do as little tinkering as possible. That's why I want to find a long screwdriver that will fit through the access hole on the deck of the 1249. I want to remove the head shell retainer by removing the screw while the tone arm is attached. Because of arthritis, I would prefer a metric screwdriver with a padded/bigger handle.

If I did want to remove the tonearm tube, however, how would I do that without damaging the pivot settings, etc? I do have the service manual, but am still not clear on the easiest way to remove the tube with no damage.

Again, thank you for your helpful insights/advice.

Rafi
Visalia, California

[gg383]

Ok, I got a better idea of what you're trying to do now, I was looking for a small mirror to look on the underside of my tonearm, but I don't have one. Another thing to buy !! If the screw is a Phillips head you will need a #0 or #1 I took a #1 and it passes thru the access hole that you're talking about, should be plenty long. If it's a flat blade just make sure the head on it is slender enough to go thru the hole, no wider than the shaft on the #1 Phillips screwdriver. Sears should be able to fix you up either way. If you buy more than 1 ask about sets that have them both, if on sale you may get quite a few more for just a few dollars more. If the handle seems a lil skimpy wrap a lil soft foam rubber or something around it and tape it. You're not going to need too much torque to break this screw loose. Look at the post (Dual 701 repair) on this page, he is getting into some of the stuff you want to avoid doing. A PM to him may give you more answers if you need them. Screwdrivers aren't as critical as wrenches and I've never seen metric screwdrivers although I imagine they can be found on the other side of the pond!! I learned something new today too, why that particular hole is where it's at.!!! Glenn.

[rafi93277]

Hi Glenn,

Sent you a PM, but for your information and anyone else's who might be following this thread...the screw that holds the cartridge retainer to the tonearm tube is a slotted screw, not Phillips. And the slot looks to be fairly wide, which is why I am hesitating to use the usual thin-bladed screw drivers that one finds everywhere. But I will follow your suggestion and try Sears.

And yes, a little mirror from the 99-cent store comes in handy when poking around a turntable!

Thanks again for all of the info.

Rafi
Visalia, California

[gg383]

OK, I found your screwdriver set, these should do the job. I Googled metric screwdriver and found (WIHA 26090). You can Google Wiha 26090 also for more shopping choices. I may order a set of these myself 'cuz these have slender shafts and tips on them to get thru the access holes. Have fun, Glenn.

[rafi93277]

Hi Glenn,

Thank you so much for the information! Let me check this out further and get back to you. And I appreciate your previous comments about how to get more torque with the shorter, thinner handles. I'm located in the Central Valley here in California; the place you mentioned in Burbank that has the screwdrivers is less than 180 miles from here, so the shipping won't be that much.

Thanks again!

Rafi
Visalia, California

[daveb]

I have the Dual 1249 and had cartridge contact dropout issues related to the cartridge contact plate under the tonearm headshell.I sent the table to Bill@fixmydual.com,,,I can't see all the little parts and have no patience......however going straight to the cartridge is a great idea...a lot of people do this with the Dual1009/1119 models because of intermittent dropouts. This is Dual's "achilles" heal so to speak! Drop Bill an Email or give him a call he's the man!!!