Diy Tonearm

[JosM]

Another picture

[JosM]

I have a copy of HiFi News from 1959/60 where they use a ballpoint pen tip to make a uni pivot.It's one of the home constructor type articles.If they thought a needle etc..was better they probably would have recommended it..So I think the ballpoint is a great idea..Also as said on here earlier,,respect for your DIY attitude..

Dear Goatbreath, Could you send me a copy of this article. Thank you in advance for the trouble.

JosM

[JosM]

Yo JosM:

This arm looks really COOL in a futuristic, slightly evil way. What are measurements? I like the ball point pen bearing, and the balancing method where the arm is stabilized by having those additional weights below the arm.

Have you thought about how to wire it? You will probably need really fine wire so as not to impede the motion of arm. What are materials? Arm wire is available from many suppliers . You can make an antiskate device by using a weight and tying it to arm so that it pulls arm toward outside of turntable. I have replaced missing antiskate devices this way, and added it to arms that don't have it. Fine monofilament fishing line (6 pound or finer) with a clamp on weight will work and you can either add weights or change leverage to make it work right. Starting point is just enough weight so arm does not move in or out on a blank record when playing. You can adjust to minimize distortion.

I think it's cool, and you have more guts that I to attempt it. May you achieve something really cool looking, with an appropriate component of menace, that works great.

And good luck from that gutless old guy,

Joe Z.

For wire it I use Litze wire from an old coil. This coil was used as a ferrit antenna coil in a mediumwave radio.

[goatbreath]

I don't know how to do that on the computer,,I don't have a scanner thing..I will need to look out the magazine too..I could try and photograph it..but it may take several hours to find the magazine is the problem..I have loads of the things..My flat is tiny,,and stuff gets broken..

They used a wooden arm tube,,your design looks more advanced..I was just amazed at how they done it..

[Rothwellaudio]

That tonearm looks great and it's inspired me to have a go at some point in the future (when all the other projects I have in mind have been completed).

[natty_dredd]

That tonearm looks great and it's inspired me to have a go at some point in the future (when all the other projects I have in mind have been completed).

Haha! It's as if I'd written it...

[Oracle_309]

Guys, don't be so smitten. I've used something similar for over 2 years. This is a refinement of the Altmann DIY tonearm. A pen nib provides a very easy to get (and something that may cost you absolutely nothing to get hold of if you use pen that has run out of ink). The headshell is but another of Frank Schroeder's designs which Clearaudio basically "knocked off".

If you go to http://www.diyaudio.com and do a search for "Nanook tonearm" you'll find a few pix as well. I'm not trying to take anything away from JosM, just that this is far from original.

The turntable however appears to be nicely built and is a thing of beauty.

BTW, I use no dampening what so ever with no issues. It does require careful attention to detail determining the correct height for the CofG of the counter-weight. I will guarantee one thing: the use of good 75ksi tubing is essential. There is a liveliness that is great and it requires no dampening. Better than my SME 309 or a hot-rodded Rega RB250.

[JosM]

Guys, don't be so smitten. I've used something similar for over 2 years. This is a refinement of the Altmann DIY tonearm. A pen nib provides a very easy to get (and something that may cost you absolutely nothing to get hold of if you use pen that has run out of ink). The headshell is but another of Frank Schroeder's designs which Clearaudio basically "knocked off".

If you go to http://www.diyaudio.com and do a search for "Nanook tonearm" you'll find a few pix as well. I'm not trying to take anything away from JosM, just that this is far from original.

The turntable however appears to be nicely built and is a thing of beauty.

BTW, I use no dampening what so ever with no issues. It does require careful attention to detail determining the correct height for the CofG of the counter-weight. I will guarantee one thing: the use of good 75ksi tubing is essential. There is a liveliness that is great and it requires no dampening. Better than my SME 309 or a hot-rodded Rega RB250.

Oracle. Thank you for your comments. My intention was to build a tonearm with normally available materials (see picture) and with the use of standerd tools. The arm has to be stable and good looking without the use of tyraps and tape and that kind of stuff. The tonearm also must be simple adjustable (VCA etc.). It is a pity that I have sold my Meccano contruction box otherwise I had used some of these parts. I am now building a tonearm on the WTA principle also with the use of standard materials.