rega P1 bearing

[turkeynuts]

Hi everyone,

While house-sitting for a friend, I decided to check out the local record stores. I made a few scores including a British copy of The Stooges' Raw Power. Anyway, upon my return, I thought I'd give my new records a spin on my buddy's Rega P1. When I turned it on, there was an audible grind coming from the bearing. I removed the sub-platter and found the bearing well to be completely dry and dirty. I cleaned up the bearing and the spindle and lubed it up with Rega-issued oil my buddy had on hand.

And the bearing still grinds...

While cleaning this thing, I noticed that there was no ball-bearing, or thrust-plate, inside the well. Is the Rega P1 supposed to have these things? Are they missing? I don't know much about Regas; more of suspended-table kind of guy.

Thanks.

[Dinohyus Hollandi]

I assume that the P1 bearing is not that different from other Rega tables, so yes, there should be a metal ball at the bottom of the bearing well for the bearing shaft to ride on. Good call on the oil lube-job BTW!

[turkeynuts]

Thanks for the reply.

It did seem odd that there wasn't anything in there...

I'm thinking that I'd try to get a ball-bearing for this table. Does anyone know what size I should be looking for? While searching this forum I noticed that the P3 has a 4.77mm (3/16") ball bearing. Do you think this would be the same size for the P1 or are their bearing sizes different?

Also, where does one buy ball bearings?

Many thanks.

[kstandsteve2]

Cant help re the spec but a popular upgrade seems to be a ruby bearing

http://www.cabezon.eu/product_info.php? ... ca1a09e3bc

[kstandsteve2]

Bit cheaper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ISOkinetik-IS ... 27a72a395d

[turkeynuts]

Yeah, a ruby upgrade is something my friend should think about.

In the meantime, I just returned from the bicycle shop around the corner. They sold me a 3/16" ball bearing for 15 cents. I just installed and sounds fine now. No more grinding.

I'm out 15 cents and a little effort, but I'll probably get a bottle of scotch from my buddy when he hears his table.

cheers.

[Dinohyus Hollandi]

Sounds like a fair deal to me...