AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vinyl Circle => Topic started by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 03:50 am

Title: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable- the Collins 12S
Post by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 03:50 am: I thought I'd post some photos of a rebuild I started a couple of weeks ago. This is a Collins 12S professional turntable, salvaged from a local country/western radio station. The wiring was burned up, but most of the rest was close to operational.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62703)
Ugly crinkle gray paint, a wooden tone arm with a fixed counterweight

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62704)
Three speed transmission. Reminds my of the column shifter on my old 63 Ford truck.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62705)
Cleaned and repainted

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62706)
cutting the felt
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: Æ on 17 May 2012, 04:02 am: Very nice and I learned something too. A razor blade attached to a trammel point for cutting the felt all neat and round.
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 02:50 pm: Thanks AE. It did turn out pretty nice. I learned to glue the felt before cutting, otherwise it bunches up and cuts unevenly. It will take a while for all the various parts to come in, but I have high hopes for this old thing. If it turn out that that it is still rumbley, I can either use a filter, or sell it in Japan. There is a very strong demand for them there.
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: roscoeiii on 17 May 2012, 02:58 pm: Quote from: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 03:50 am
Three speed transmission. Reminds my of the column shifter on my old 63 Ford truck.

Oh yeah! The ole "Three on the tree."
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: Opus Flatus on 17 May 2012, 03:41 pm: That is real cool!
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: JCarney on 17 May 2012, 04:16 pm: Way cool. Looks like a fun project, I'm a little jealous. Please keep the pics coming.

JCarney
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: Berndt on 17 May 2012, 04:47 pm: Cool, any pictures of the underside? Motor images?
How did you refurbished the idler?
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 08:46 pm: Quote from: Berndt on 17 May 2012, 04:47 pm
Cool, any pictures of the underside? Motor images?
How did you refurbished the idler?
I found a source for idlers for $36, so even though the old one is still pliable, I'll pull it and keep it as a spare. The motor is a Bodine, which my friend Gary Dodd tells me was a high quality unit in its day. I spins very quiet with little vibration. I should have a new idler and new motor mounts within a week, and a new ceramic ball bearing sometime... coming from China. Enough chat. More pics.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62717)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62718)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=62719)
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: Nick77 on 17 May 2012, 08:59 pm: Awesome, that motor looks like it would spin a car. :)
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 09:25 pm: Quote from: Nick77 on 17 May 2012, 08:59 pm
Awesome, that motor looks like it would spin a car. :)
It is about the size of a starter on my Honda Goldwing.
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 09:51 pm: I just re-cleaned the spindle casing, and put in a light synthetic oil. Before, with 3-1 Oil, a moderate spin yielded 17 rotations; after cleaning and oiling w/ synthetic, it made 74 rotations :o I think I'll use this stuff on my other turntables.

(http://just-for-fishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/99f43_Reel_Care_41Ygs9MsmHL.jpg)
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: SteveRB on 21 May 2012, 04:36 pm: Quote from: S Clark on 17 May 2012, 08:46 pm
I found a source for idlers for $36,

Can you please share your idler source? I'm working on an old deck as well.
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable
Post by: S Clark on 21 May 2012, 05:25 pm: Quote from: astronaut_glen on 21 May 2012, 04:36 pm
Can you please share your idler source? I'm working on an old deck as well.
russcoturntables.com The fellow's name is Skeeter- full time DJ, nice guy, and part time turntable nut. It may be easier to call him as he can be slow to respond to email.
Now don't be a tease. Tell us more about your project.
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable- the Collins 12S
Post by: holdonsugar on 15 Nov 2012, 03:03 pm: S Clark
Wow! Great Job!
What paint did You use for this turntable?
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable- the Collins 12S
Post by: littlehorsevintage on 31 Jan 2024, 05:53 pm: Hey there everyone...looking for the motor shock mounts for a collins 200 turntable...any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
Title: Re: Rebuild of a Radio Broadcast Turntable- the Collins 12S
Post by: S Clark on 2 Feb 2024, 05:22 am: I tried looking for the sources I used a decade ago when I rebuilt my Collins. Sorry, but they're dead links now.