New top plate, glue it or not?

[ikon_1497]

Hi everybody

I would like your opinion about something.
I'm restoring an old Thorens td-160 super and I will replace the old top plate with a new one.

Is it ok if I just place it on top of the chassis and screw the whole thing on the plinth?
Do I really have to glue it?
Will I have any kind of problem (like vibrations or something)?

Thanks!

[tlscapital]

No need to glue IMHO. I've got me a "tailor made" thicker stainless steel cut by a friend mender and it just lays there even without it's screws (got rid of the holes on my new top plate) and even no glue. Evidently my new solid wood "tailor made" plinth, made by a woodcraft friend of mine, design allows that thickness difference on the edges visually.

Now the stainless steel thickness adds even more rigidity than the original thiner alloy. If your replacement new top-plate is also thin and prone to "curve" as the originals are, maybe the screws only might not suffice too keep it flat. This will only impair it's visual. About playback issues, I doubt seriously that it should have any incident on that matter.

[ikon_1497]

Great then!
Mine is aluminum, it isn't very thick but it's thicker than the original.
I don't think it will warp in any way and I don't plan to screw it too tight so I think I'm ok!
Thanks!

[ddarch]

When I manufacture my "Super Reproductions" I sand off the old glue and then use new contact cement on the plate/top. Yes, I would personally worry about vibrations if left loose.

[Alec124c41]

I suppose that, should you be concerned about later removal, a bit of caulking putty around the edge would stop vibrations.

Cheers,
Alec

[nezbleu]

I found the top plate on my TD160 was a bit loose, and with a bit of heat came off quite easily. I removed the old glue (which was spotty, there were a number of voids) with acetone, then glued the top plate back with an even coating of silicone adhesive, which stays flexible. I clamped it in place with some boards to even the pressure while the adhesive set.

[medwaybeat]

I've never bothered or had any issues with any of my 150's.

[nezbleu]

I've never bothered or had any issues with any of my 150's.

"If it ain't broke, fix it until it is!" :)

[terzinator]

I've never bothered or had any issues with any of my 150's.

I likely have far less experience than medwaybeat, but I agree.

When I put mine back on my TD150 after building the plinth, I just laid it down and secured it with the screws. Never an issue. The glue on it is old and brittle, and I think you'd want the ability to remove it, if necessary.

[rkay5]

On the early TD150 thorens used 2sided tape. But the best way to go is glue.

[ddarch]

Some were double taped, not all

[tlscapital]

Some were double taped, not all

The notorious Thorens constant inconstancy in build... :P

[oztayls]

Definitely glue it. It needs to be coupled to the deck. Easy enough to remove with a heat gun.

[ikon_1497]

Ok guys, thank you very much
I did use glue after all, perfect result.
Thanks!