Surprise..Technics SL-Q2

Bob2 · « **on:** 9 Nov 2013, 06:48 pm »

So I was telling one of our IT guys that I was going to build a tt and was looking for a donor turntable.
Although I had already picked up a Thorens as a donor I walked into my office Friday morning and found this on my desk.. the turntable not the booze.

Brought it home and spent a few minutes checking it out and cleaning it up a bit. Decided to give it a try and it works! Has a bit of rumble but works quite well.
Nice considering it was free.
Just started researching this, anyone here have some info they care to share?
Thanks!
Bob2

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Nov 2013, 08:23 pm »

I have one, too. Right now it has a Grado Master Reference wood body cartridge in the arm. To reduce rumble, lose the solid rubber mat and find some softer durometer mat, keeping the same thickness if you can.

I also put lots of platiclay in the innards to help absorb some of the LF energy. It is a surprisingly good sounding table.

Wayner

Bob2 · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Nov 2013, 03:48 am »

Wayner,
Thanks for the info and taking the time to post the pictures. Looks like your's is in better shape.
Thanks
Bob2

trackball02 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Nov 2013, 04:04 am »

I have a Technics SL-D2, with a somewhat similar hollow plastic plinth. I also packed it with plastic clay, and it really helped.

Make sure the feet are intact. On my unit, the feet were in bad shape, and I replaced with racquetballs cut in half and hot glued then to the bottom.

If all else fails, just drink the booze....it does wonder for the rumble.

PDR · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Nov 2013, 06:39 am »

Quote from: Bob2 on 9 Nov 2013, 06:48 pm

So I was telling one of our IT guys that I was going to build a tt and was looking for a donor turntable.
Although I had already picked up a Thorens as a donor I walked into my office Friday morning and found this on my desk.. the turntable not the booze.

Brought it home and spent a few minutes checking it out and cleaning it up a bit. Decided to give it a try and it works! Has a bit of rumble but works quite well.
Nice considering it was free.
Just started researching this, anyone here have some info they care to share?
Thanks!
Bob2

Cool, what are you planning to build?
Heres a site that kinda puts the Technics in perspective....age and sold for wise.
http://www.vintagetechnics.co.uk/turntables.htm

Bob2 · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Nov 2013, 03:35 pm »

Quote

If all else fails, just drink the booze....it does wonder for the rumble

I like that!

Quote

what are you planning to build

Thanks for that link, very helpful!
Was well into the project when this showed up. Most of the machine work is done. If anyone is interested I can post a couple of pictures..
Meanwhile I'm going to fool around with this and will be able to use it while I'm working on the new tt.

xsb7244 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2013, 05:57 pm »

Yes, interested in seeing your turntable rebuild. Perhaps you can also rebuild the Technics.

Bob2 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2013, 06:40 pm »

Actually the Technics is working rather well. Further cleanup and fiddling has it sounding pretty decent. Probably won't do much more except for a new mat as Wayner suggested. Has an Audio Technica cart on it. Web search turned up nothing. It has ATT 44 on it.

The other project is not a rebuild.

56 lbs so far....

I will post more pictures in the future..
Bob2

Wayner · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Nov 2013, 06:43 pm »

Nice CNC work! Perhaps some colorful anodizing? Where is the platter from (or is it your design) and what motor are you using?

Wayner

Bob2 · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Nov 2013, 06:51 pm »

The platter is from some 6061 AL that I had. Riding on a brass bushing that has an oil reservoir so that is in a bath. Measured runout with my Interrapid is .0015. Nice and flat!

At this point I have a Thorens motor for it.

Talked to the local plating shop about anodize..said it was pretty heavy, couldn't promise not to drop it. Although I would like it in satin black. Anodize has a nice feel to it.
Will probably metal finish and buff out.
Bob2

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Nov 2013, 07:26 pm »

We have an anodizer for all the AVA stuff. He can do the brushed finish before anodizing as well. I'd think that most shops would like to do that, rather then someone else, as it does affect the appearance of the anodizing, something that most shops want to control themselves.

Might I suggest a different color for the area that hands come in contact with, as black anodizing will show human skin cells and skin oil really easy, as opposed to something that is more of the natural aluminum anodizing. Or, at least bead-blast the hand to surface contact area, rather than brushing, to keep stains to a minimum. It will cost a wee-bit more, but the results will be awesome. In this process, they would brush the entire surfaces, then mask off the area to be bead-blasted, giving you a nice matt, stain resistant, two tone surface.

Wayner

Bob2 · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Nov 2013, 12:06 am »

Quote

at least bead-blast the hand to surface contact area

That's a good idea. Lot's to think about after I get it up and running.
I think I will start a thread with pics of the machining process through the finished product as soon as it is to a state that I can begin using it..

The Technics is filling in for the time being though! Sounds better than the Kenwood linear arm I was using.
Thanks Wayner! Really appreciate your view point on turntables and all things vinyl.
Bob2

Berndt · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Nov 2013, 02:21 am »

Right on Bob, building turntables is super gratifying.

Bob2 · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 12:57 am »

Wayner, you were on the money when you suggested replacing the solid rubber mat.

This is a silicone rubber mat I cut on a laser cutter. Thickness is within .005 of the original..
Rumble is gone. Sound is improved. Will tweak further. Keep throwing those suggestions my way.

Wayner, I bow in your direction

Turntable is on hold for another project...building a light sabre for my best buddy, my grandson for Christmas. Won't take long and then back on track.

WireNut · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 02:47 am »

Bob2,

You should make about 10-25 of those and sell them here

Wayner · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 12:53 pm »

Excellent! I have replaced all of the hard rubber mats on my tables with EPDM (open cell) sponge material, which has a behavior similar to silicone, but cheaper. I would have used silicone, but couldn't source it.

I have also put a couple of very tiny O-rings on the tonearm, at the bend location. I used some colored bands that came with some RCA connectors, so they are fairly light. These absorb some of the micro vibrations (during quiet passages) and do not add really any mass to the tonearm.

Wayner

Bob2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 06:52 pm »

Hey Wirenut,
what should I make 10-25 of? Mats or lightsabres?

Wayner,
Go here if you would like to purchase the mat that I use. 12 X 12 piece is $19.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/3545/=pg79oj
Only down side is they have only one color or so that I could find.

Thanks for some more tweaks! I'll get started on this weekend.
Thanks, Bob

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 07:14 pm »

I don't have any way to cut it, and I think these things have to be balanced to keep the DD motor from surging (correcting) from uneven weight.

I'll have to find a local guy to cut it.

Thanks for the link....

Wayner

WireNut · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Nov 2013, 07:23 pm »

Mats. I'm sure lots of folks would like to have one

Bob2 · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Nov 2013, 12:21 am »

Wayner,
might be true about the balance.. My rig is probably not good enough to notice..
You interested in trying one of these out?
pm me if you are. I'm going to order enough to make a couple of mats if you want to try one out I could send it free gratis just to get your opinion..