[S Clark]

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. 

Ugly crinkle gray paint, a wooden tone arm with a fixed counterweight



Three speed transmission.  Reminds my of the column shifter on my old 63 Ford truck.



Cleaned and repainted





cutting the felt

[Æ]

Very nice and I learned something too. A razor blade attached to a trammel point for cutting the felt all neat and round.

[S Clark]

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.

[roscoeiii]

Three speed transmission.  Reminds my of the column shifter on my old 63 Ford truck.

Oh yeah! The ole "Three on the tree."

[Opus Flatus]

That is real cool!

[JCarney]

Way cool. Looks like a fun project, I'm a little jealous. Please keep the pics coming.

JCarney

[Berndt]

Cool, any pictures of the underside? Motor images?
How did you refurbished the idler?

[S Clark]

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.

[Nick77]

Awesome, that motor looks like it would spin a car.

[S Clark]

Awesome, that motor looks like it would spin a car.

It is about the size of a starter on my Honda Goldwing.

[S Clark]

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    I think I'll use this stuff on my other turntables. 

[SteveRB]

I found a source for idlers for $36,

Can you please share your idler source? I'm working on an old deck as well.

[S Clark]

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.

[holdonsugar]

S Clark
Wow! Great Job!
What paint did You use for this turntable?

[littlehorsevintage]

Hey there everyone...looking for the motor shock mounts for a collins 200 turntable...any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike

[S Clark]

I tried looking for the sources I used a decade ago when I rebuilt my Collins.  Sorry, but they're dead links now.