[Bluespower]

I've been lusting for a 208 for some time and just pulled the trigger on this one.



Please, please, please... If any of you Empire guys know the whereabouts of a belt cover, please contact me. I'm willing to buy, barter, or do rude things to make this complete. Thanks in advance...

[neobop]

If you've been lusting for a 208 for some time, you know what you're doing with these?
I think your best bet for a cover is probably finding a parts table on fleabey. You're likely to run into a bunch of other problems with a table this old and I would guess it would be nice to have spare parts. An arm would be nice too, that is if you're planning to play records. Maybe you're planning to install a modern arm?
You can get a belt here:
http://www.turntablebasics.com/belts/empire.html

Here's one you could probably get if you want an original. You could use yours for a parts table.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Empire-208-turntable-record-player-phonograph-/290558496446?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item43a6a2cebe

You could put 'want to buy' ads on sites like this. Maybe you'll get lucky. I have a feeling that buying another one, not working, might be your best hope for finding the belt cover.
neo

[Wayner]

I had an Empire 298 (a 208 with the 980? arm) that was fun to run for awhile. The arm was so-so but I sold it before I could really do anything with it. I bought my belt from www.lpgear.com. They are the correct size.

The good news is that the motor and starting cap probably will run for ever and ever, and they are very well shielded, so you could even run a Grado in them if you wanted to.

Lamps are available for on/off switch.

What arm are you thinking? I was going to play with a Jelco 250 if I could find one the right price. I think the spindle to tonearm pivot distance is 8.25" (209.55mm) if memory serves me correctly.

Have fun. Oh, yeah, make sure there is a good ground between the new arm and the cast plinth.

Wayner

[doug s.]

i saw that on ebay, good deal, for $175!      as stated prewiously, keep your eyes peeled on ebay; parts come up every so often.  but, you could also fab something quite nice looking out of wood, meanwhile.  and, since the stock arm is the weakest point about the wintage empires, imo, it's not a bad deal at all to buy one w/o arm and look for a decent aftermarket arm.  personally, for the money, i think the modded rega rb250's are excellent...

you certainly won't need another empire as a parts unit - these are simplicity itself, and assuming no abuse has taken place, there won't be anything that will go wrong.

doug s.

[Wayner]

If a Rega arm fits the plinth (they should be mounted at 222 P to S), otherwise there may have to be some weird machining going on.

I may have a cover, BTW. Let me check.

Wayner

[Wayner]

I have a cover, but it's the shallower one, like for the 498, 598.

Sorry.

Wayner

[Bluespower]

Thanks for the input guys.  I have grommets and a belt on order (don't even have the table yet).  The intention is not to "restore" the deck but to use it as a foundation for a modern arm (kinda leaning towards the Jelco 750D).  The absence of the original cover will not keep the project from moving forward and I have several ideas in mind that will do nicely until the proper part comes along.  I didn't think that it could hurt to do a "shout-out" to the TT community.  Someone just MIGHT have one collecting dust.  Isn't this hobby fun...

[rcag_ils]

where did you order the belt and grommets? I am looking for some as well....

[Bluespower]

This is the belt I ordered:
http://www.turntableneedles.com//Empire-DB-208-Flat-Belt-Medium_p_749.html

It was recommended to me by a rabid Empire enthusiast over on AK (MrMonster).  I also bought two sets of grommets from him.  I don't know that he has any more but I did find another source while I was looking (bottom of the page).

http://www.esotericsound.com/access.htm