Simplex questions

JohnR · « **on:** 8 Oct 2012, 11:55 pm »

I've been offered a Simplex as part trade on some other gear I've sold and I'm considering it. I was wondering if anyone could help me with some questions...

How is the pitch stability of the Simplex? Reason I ask is I can't seem to get my current OL Aurora to play to my satisfaction, perhaps I am doing something wrong or perhaps I am unusually sensitive to pitch variation. So I'm wondering how the Simplex is in that regard.

Does the "belt for life" offer apply to second owners? Who is the Australian distributor?

Thanks for any info, more as I come to them

vortrex · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 12:07 am »

belt for life applies, but you're better off making your own.

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 12:09 am »

Thanks. Um, what do you make them out of, and where do you get it? (Assume I don't know anything about turntables, which is fairly close to the truth

)

vortrex · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 12:12 am »

it's a .004" filament you can buy off amazon or wherever.

http://www.amazon.com/Sulky-Premium-Invisible-Thread-2200/dp/B002LN78DQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349741511&sr=8-2&keywords=.004+monofilament+thread

SteveFord · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 12:52 am »

If it's monofiliment, why wouldn't you just use 4 or 6 pound test fishing line?

vortrex · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 01:10 am »

I actually plan to try it. 4lb test seems to be .006". The belts break too often with the string that is used. Broke another last night, which had been my longest lasting.

threadkiller · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 02:37 pm »

It's not a monofilament. It's a poly. It's a thread. Stop this nonsense with fishing line.

Look at Mike Pranka's posts about it. It's been covered extensively.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 04:26 pm »

Quote from: threadkiller on 9 Oct 2012, 02:37 pm

It's not a monofilament. It's a poly. It's a thread. Stop this nonsense with fishing line.
Look at Mike Pranka's posts about it. It's been covered extensively.

Threadkiller,

Unless things have changed, you are incorrect on it being poly. From the WTA manual (emphasis mine):

"Making a Belt
Loop a long length of 0.004” polyester monofilament around the thumbtack. Tie a simple double overhand knot around the pin. Remove the pin and tighten the knot. Hold knot with thumbnail and pull on excess. Cut off excess leaving 10mm (minimum) tails."

bmurphy · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Oct 2012, 06:54 pm »

I have had my Simplex since March and have never had to replace the belt, and I switch back and forth on the pulleys from 33 to 45 every now and then. Am I just lucky or???

As to pitch stability I have not heard any issues at all but maybe I'm cloth eared so YMMV as they say.

gagamut · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 01:44 am »

i have own my WT Amadeus about two years,and never replace the belt.

Sam

threadkiller · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 05:26 am »

Mine and several friends rarely break. One friend has his break often. So my thinking is user dependent?
Roscoe, why do you have a manual when you no longer have a table?
Or did you ditch the Townsend?

roscoeiii · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 11:12 am »

Manual is online, and I recalled buying monofilament when I had my WTA.

threadkiller · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 03:40 pm »

Ah, I see.
I call it poly since just calling it monofilament makes me assume one is talking nylon, like fishing line, which does not work well as a belt.
Nice to hear some of you are getting fairly long lives out of your threads (belts).

SteevA · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 07:52 pm »

Why does mono filament fishing line not work well as a belt?

Steve

roscoeiii · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 08:44 pm »

If your dealer can't provide the answer, why not just call Mike Pranka? Great guy and very helpful.

SteevA · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 08:54 pm »

Havent asked the dealer as haven't broken my first belt yet (so still have a apare anyway).

I just read an assertion that nylon fishing line did not make a good belt so assumed for that assertion to be made someone must have done some tests and that there must be some results demonstrating that nylon fishing line does not make a good belt. Maybe even some theoretical basis as to why it shouldn't.

Steve

SteevA · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 08:55 pm »

Accidental double post

threadkiller · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 09:19 pm »

Hi Steve,
For one, it stretches. And it seemed to slip.
It's not that it doesn't turn the platter, mind you. I think most anything that could loop around the pulley would do that. It just sounded bad.
I was with Mike with others when we played with different belt types. He might be able to give you the whys, I just know it didn't work.

Maybe someone will stumble upon something that works better and report in.
We still think the polyester of Firebaugh sounds best.

SteevA · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 09:30 pm »

The current thread relies on a certain amount of stretch to work. If it did not have stretch it would be extremely hard to get it either not too loose or too tight and making one up yourself would be very difficult due to the extreme accuracy needed for length. For this reason Kevlar, for instance, would be very unsuitable, even though it would be very strong.

I have some fine nylon monofilament left over from hanging Xmas decorations. It is about .008 and I have not tried it but maybe should, just to see what happens. I can definitely see that if it slips more than the current thread that would be a problem.

Steve

vortrex · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Oct 2012, 09:35 pm »

I just had to make a new belt from my break the other night, but the only fishing line I had was 12lb test (.013"). that looked too thick to be workable. I'll probably get some 4lb test to try though.