My very first AR turntable.
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- junior member
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 01 Jan 2016 23:06
My very first AR turntable.
Greetings All,
So, after much reading and envious inferiority, I decided to buy an AR turntable and see what I could do to clean it up a bit. This is what I had to work with: My first thing to do was completely disassemble it and figure out what could stay and what could go. Decided I could definitely reuse the plinth, and could refinish the top plate. Plinth was sanded down, oiled with BLO. After drying, applied about 20 coats of lacquer, block sanding after every fourth coat, then the final coat was sanded to 3000Gr, then buffed and polished. The Top plate was the same, except did require some minor filling from course sanding and the irregularities of the screw-attachments from the underside. They both came out with some nice depth and color:
I took the tonearm apart and removed the existing wiring. I ordered some 99.99% silver litz wires, destroyed a Technics tonearm, and converted it over to a standard headshell with new tonearm wires. Each piece was cleaned and polished, did some of the basic "improvements" to the remaining tonearm, and am still awaiting arrival of the Sapphire thrust and ball bearing for it. Polished up the outer platter a bit and was surprised how well it cleaned up.
For the time being, I am reusing the original springs and have not damped the drive pulley yet. Will install new output cables and power cable, install new sapphire thrust bearing for the platter, and get the original motor back in this weekend. Guess I am just excited to get to this point.
Obviously nothing new, and looks a lot like everyone elses. Would welcome any and all guidance, criticism, and whatnot. Thanks for looking.
So, after much reading and envious inferiority, I decided to buy an AR turntable and see what I could do to clean it up a bit. This is what I had to work with: My first thing to do was completely disassemble it and figure out what could stay and what could go. Decided I could definitely reuse the plinth, and could refinish the top plate. Plinth was sanded down, oiled with BLO. After drying, applied about 20 coats of lacquer, block sanding after every fourth coat, then the final coat was sanded to 3000Gr, then buffed and polished. The Top plate was the same, except did require some minor filling from course sanding and the irregularities of the screw-attachments from the underside. They both came out with some nice depth and color:
I took the tonearm apart and removed the existing wiring. I ordered some 99.99% silver litz wires, destroyed a Technics tonearm, and converted it over to a standard headshell with new tonearm wires. Each piece was cleaned and polished, did some of the basic "improvements" to the remaining tonearm, and am still awaiting arrival of the Sapphire thrust and ball bearing for it. Polished up the outer platter a bit and was surprised how well it cleaned up.
For the time being, I am reusing the original springs and have not damped the drive pulley yet. Will install new output cables and power cable, install new sapphire thrust bearing for the platter, and get the original motor back in this weekend. Guess I am just excited to get to this point.
Obviously nothing new, and looks a lot like everyone elses. Would welcome any and all guidance, criticism, and whatnot. Thanks for looking.
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- long player
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: 12 Jun 2014 12:54
- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Re: My very first AR turntable.
Awesome work ! =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
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- long player
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: 12 Jun 2014 12:54
- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Re: My very first AR turntable.
8) And my warmest welcome to VE 8)
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- long player
- Posts: 1567
- Joined: 25 Feb 2013 17:03
- Location: Ohio
Re: My very first AR turntable.
Very nice. Enjoy!
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- senior member
- Posts: 946
- Joined: 20 Feb 2013 20:04
- Location: Independence
Re: My very first AR turntable.
Just looks stunning.
How does it sound?
Your choice of cartridges is wide open.
How does it sound?
Your choice of cartridges is wide open.
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- junior member
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 01 Jan 2016 23:06
Re: My very first AR turntable.
Thank you! I have yet to listen to it. It still needs some electrical work done to it. When I first got it, the stylus was very questionable, at best, and instead of ordering a new one I just tore it down and started refurbishing it.
I will probably start out with a Nagaoka that I have. I am eager to see what this thing plays like.
I will probably start out with a Nagaoka that I have. I am eager to see what this thing plays like.
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- member
- Posts: 41
- Joined: 21 May 2017 21:29
Re: My very first AR turntable.
I've been running a mp110 on mine and it's a nice match.
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- member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: 17 Jun 2019 03:00
- Location: El Paso
Re: My very first AR turntable.
Wow motrctyman nice job, lookin good!
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- long player
- Posts: 2208
- Joined: 23 Jun 2017 02:11
- Location: Liverpool,PA
Re: My very first AR turntable.
There are numerous guides available on restorations for this jewel.