2nd hand Planar3

[stabist]

Hi,

yesterday I purchased 10yrs old Planar3. Everything seemed OK at first glance - nicely preserved TT from 1st owner.
When arriving home and try it out a bit more thoroughly - I've notice that the subplatter and plater "flutter" a bit in vertical direction - it's also visible (when rotating) that the margin slot between platter and subplatter is not equal - so it looks like subplatter is bent a bit or something like that ...
Is that normal tolerance or is there some problem with bearing, spindle or subplatter?

Btw - on original service manual it says I shouldn't remove the subplatter because I'll "destroy" lubricant film ... (??)

Btw2 - the TT was out of use since january 07 - and was (probably - I gues since it was in such position when I arrived) storaged vertical during that time (platter ofcourse removed) - could that harm anyhow to the bearing/spindle?

thanks

[Flat Earth]

It isn't unusual for the moulded Planar hubs (sub-platters) to exhibit a small amount of run out, however, there shouldn't exist a gap between the bottom of the glass platter and the outer lip of the hub.

I'd suggest re-seating the glass platter in order to make sure that it is sitting squarely upon the hub and not fouling the central locating boss portion of the black spindle.

As to the turntable having been stored upon its side sans glass platter, no harm will come to the bearing, however, as little as 20 minutes in this position (or upside down) and enough oil will have been lost to necessitate cleaning and re-lubricating the bearing, else damage result in use.

Regardless, I always assume that any used Rega deck will require a bearing service.

I recently posted the official instructions for performing such service here...

HTH,

Flat

[stabist]

I'd suggest re-seating the glass platter in order to make sure that it is sitting squarely upon the hub and not fouling the central locating boss portion of the black spindle.

Yep - I know - I've just checked it briefly on wednesday; today it will be the day to take some time and check everything out ...

As to the turntable having been stored upon its side sans glass platter, no harm will come to the bearing, however, as little as 20 minutes in this position (or upside down) and enough oil will have been lost to necessitate cleaning and re-lubricating the bearing, else damage result in use.

S**t I've asked the quy how long did Rega waited in such position - what an unlucky coincidence - for all the time - it was storaged proparly - only last aprox 2-3h (yes hours ) when it waited for me to arrive, etc ... was in vertical position - but that's allready too long

Regardless, I always assume that any used Rega deck will require a bearing service.

aha - I just wonder - there's a notice on owners manual - how lifting the hub will automaticly destroy lubricant film (??) - so if I understod the instructions correctly - 1st step is by lifting the hub for 1,5-2cm up and then to check it out the presence of oil on bearing housing - if it's there - oil was spiled (and concerning aprox 2-3h of vertical position - it did) it's time for re-lubrification ...

I just wonder now - I have some high viscosity oil for automatic transmission/servo steering and I think I laso have oil for manual gearboxes (both by Total) - is any of those 2 oils OK?

I recently posted the official instructions for performing such service here...

thanks ... great info ...

[stabist]

Hmm, checked a bit my Planar3:
- lifted hub a bit (about 1cm high) - I don't think there are traces of spilled oil on the brass housing - but the oil is on the axis itself ... but I guess it should be there (??)
- when hub is a bit lifted - and if I rotate it - you can feel it rotates with some friction - but when hub is in lower position - it rotates smooth (altough without platter - it doesn't make many turns - maybe 1-2)
- I've lifted hub few times to check it - on one occasion - it stayed up (about 7-8mm above normal level) after a minute or so - it slowly went back ... I gues it trapped air and then release it again??

- the subplater and plater definetely flutter - more evident is the flutter od the platter itself in radial direction (like the glass plater would be a bit eliptic)... (??)

Thanks again for any ideas or tips

[PatOMalley]

oil in that well should rse a bit and adhere to the subplatter shaft. It will look convex in profile. Shine a flashlight at it and if you see a bit of oil then perfect.

if you see too much oil, spilled out, not good but no hard done. clean up needed.

if you see no oil get busy and put some in.

[Flat Earth]

- lifted hub a bit (about 1cm high) - I don't think there are traces of spilled oil on the brass housing - but the oil is on the axis itself ... but I guess it should be there (??)

You're in luck, as presence of oil on the spindle shaft and NOT on the top lip of the bearing bush is indicative of none having been lost.

- when hub is a bit lifted - and if I rotate it - you can feel it rotates with some friction - but when hub is in lower position - it rotates smooth (altough without platter - it doesn't make many turns - maybe 1-2)

This is quite normal.

- I've lifted hub few times to check it - on one occasion - it stayed up (about 7-8mm above normal level) after a minute or so - it slowly went back ... I gues it trapped air and then release it again??

Yes, although the less often you lift it the less likely you are to loose oil. There are only two drops of lubrication applied at the factory remember.

- the subplater and plater definetely flutter - more evident is the flutter od the platter itself in radial direction (like the glass plater would be a bit eliptic)... (??)

I assumed that you had meant up and down movement when viewed from on edge whilst the deck was running. Are you sure that it isn't the felt mat giving the impression that the glass is out of round?

Thanks again for any ideas or tips

You're welcome.

Flat

[stabist]

oil in that well should rse a bit and adhere to the subplatter shaft. It will look convex in profile. Shine a flashlight at it and if you see a bit of oil then perfect.

if you see too much oil, spilled out, not good but no hard done. clean up needed.

if you see no oil get busy and put some in.

I see a bit of oil plus some fibres that I guess have collected on the oily surface of the shaft during 10yrs of use from "outside" ... will try to get them off ...

[stabist]

You're in luck, as presence of oil on the spindle shaft and NOT on the top lip of the bearing bush is indicative of none having been lost.

Great )
VERY good news.

This is quite normal.

Another great news )

Yes, although the less often you lift it the less likely you are to loose oil. There are only two drops of lubrication applied at the factory remember.

I agree - but I've tried to find some good light, etc to see something "useful" ...
First I was very surprised when the hub stayed up - it like "jumped" a bit, then I first tried to press it down - and I realized I'm not sucesfull - and then latter - after about a minute ot two - it just slowly returned back down

I assumed that you had meant up and down movement when viewed from on edge whilst the deck was running. Are you sure that it isn't the felt mat giving the impression that the glass is out of round?

I mean both - up/down movement (btw - the mat wasn't on the platter) - this is more evident on the hub then on the platter and "left/right" movement of the platter - actually if I put my finger close to side of the platter - on some point on the radius the platter will "touch me" ...


Will have to find another Rega to see how it works ...

[PatOMalley]

if you found fibers you need to clean out the bearing well entirely.
the the foreign material will foul movement.
forget it - just get some Mobil1 and replace the oil. It really is requisite.

[stabist]

if you found fibers you need to clean out the bearing well entirely.
the the foreign material will foul movement.
forget it - just get some Mobil1 and replace the oil. It really is requisite.

it looks like there are some hairs or something like that on the top of the shaft ... like beeing "sucked" from surround ...

will clean it up ...

Mobil1 - the one for gearboxes (80W) correct?

[PatOMalley]

[quote="stabist"]Mobil1 - the one for gearboxes (80W) correct?[/quote]

correct

[stabist]

Slowly progressing due to almost no free time

I plan to mount DL110 to this Rega - is the supplied original Rega protractor good enough or is it better to print one of RB300 matching protractors from this site library?

Btw - after many attempts - no way to eliminate vertical flutter of the plattter - it flutters a bit - not much - but probably aprox 0,2mm "up/down" ... How important is this factor?
I mean - I guess azimuth can't be perfect in any case this way - BUT then again - many LPs aro also slightly warped - so it's a bit similar effect again ...

Btw - what are the dimensions of the ball bearing - is it 6 or 8mm in diameter?

[PatOMalley]

you have to get rid of that flutter.
measure the platter. if it is not flat I can send you a replacement MDF paltter from my NAD533 - p2 clone.
If it is the subplatter that is 'bent' then you need to replace that with a GrooveTracer subplatter.

the bearing is trivial until you fix this issue but the dimension is 3/16"

[stabist]

Hi Pat ...

Will try to measure ASAP all parameters ...

Btw - this "flutter" is ofcourse - one vertikal swing/spin.

Hmm - groove tracer - is that the subplatter for around 180USD?

Being too much away from my "2nd TT for a small budget" idea I'll see what measuring will show up ...
I still have the option of return it to the seller ... Then again - I got good RB300 and I could build DiY TT ...
Hmmm ...