The Kaiser gave me two Thorens TD115 turntables. One of which I got to work by buying a tonearm off of ebay.de. The other I canabalized for the best parts for the working TT. Instead of throwing out the other thorens TT why not turn it into a record cleaner. The broken one does not spin up to speed but still spins enough for cleaning. I am not a vinyl expert but I thought there would have been such a thing as a record cleaning cartridge. I haven't been able to find one. I noticed that the record cleaners out there are not complicated. There are several DIY versions of the nitty gritty and VPI cleaners.  What I found interesting is I can buy the VPI upgrade parts to use to turn this TT into a cleaning turntable. I just need a small wooden cabinet to put the table on and to house the vacume cleaner. The VPI parts include the part to attach the vacume, vacume tubem, brush and clamp. The turntable chasis will need to be modified a little. 

Here are the parts for the VPI cleaner. 

What do you guys think? Possible or an exercise in futility? Advice and suggestions appreciated.

 Can't see any reason why it wouldn't work. I don't think you really even have to build the box. Just use some rubber or a trash bag to isolate the power supply from water. Just put the record on, use the brushes and cleaner and then used an old vacuum cleaner with the sucker attached and go to town.

thebes:

 Can't see any reason why it wouldn't work. I don't think you really even have to build the box. Just use some rubber or a trash bag to isolate the power supply from water. Just put the record on, use the brushes and cleaner and then used an old vacuum cleaner with the sucker attached and go to town.

I want it in a self contained box. Perhaps an old Victrola cabinet thats been parted out would work. I also like the parts for the vpi because a vacume tube lays across the record. I figure a shop wet vac that could suck the paint off an old chevy could suck the dirt out of album grooves.

Thanks Thebes

From what I have read, a shop vac is far to powerful for this application. Try not to damage any good vinyl.

Seti

I can get my hands on a small vacuum pump that would probably be appropriate, and it runs off of +24V (wall bug). It's not a wet pump though, so you'd have to have a waste bottle between your cleaning manifold and the pump (and empty when it nears full to avoid flooding the pump.) The pump is about the size of a discwasher record brush. Just a thought.

You'll aslo need a motor with alot of tourque, as when you apply cleaner and the brush requires alot of force to get all the dirt, and then a very powerful vacum to get the record completly dry.  At least thats how the VPI I have works.

GotHover:

From what I have read, a shop vac is far to powerful for this application. Try not to damage any good vinyl.

Hehehe I was kidding :) Thanks :)

Blvdre:

Seti

I can get my hands on a small vacuum pump that would probably be appropriate, and it runs off of +24V (wall bug). It's not a wet pump though, so you'd have to have a waste bottle between your cleaning manifold and the pump (and empty when it nears full to avoid flooding the pump.) The pump is about the size of a discwasher record brush. Just a thought.

Thanks for the offer. I actually have a very small vac that should work really well for this application. THANKS!!!

rscotth:

You'll aslo need a motor with alot of tourque, as when you apply cleaner and the brush requires alot of force to get all the dirt, and then a very powerful vacum to get the record completly dry.  At least thats how the VPI I have works.

I hadn't thought about that... I thought the 78 speed might work. At least that isn't too much of a chore. Thanks :)

The way my VPI works is;

place record on plater

apply small amount of cleaner

tun on high torque motor

use brush and some elbow grease to clean record

3-4 revolutions, remove brush and begin vaccum

In oder to get deep into the groove i apply alot of pressure to clean deep.  I don't think a TT motor would do the trick.  You'll get some benefit but not a real deep clean.

The high price of the VPI is all in the motor and vaccum.  I got a bundle deal from music direct in Chicago.  You might want to give them a call and chat with a sales guy about record cleaner.  It was enlightening for me, as I used to use the old discwasher system which, as I learned, does more harm than good.

Hope this helps you.

Scott

I think you're on to something. Have some more pizza toppings and mull it over.... 

seti:

 

Blvdre:

Seti

I can get my hands on a small vacuum pump that would probably be appropriate, and it runs off of +24V (wall bug). It's not a wet pump though, so you'd have to have a waste bottle between your cleaning manifold and the pump (and empty when it nears full to avoid flooding the pump.) The pump is about the size of a discwasher record brush. Just a thought.

Thanks for the offer. I actually have a very small vac that should work really well for this application. THANKS!!!

No problem. Sounds like the little guy might not have enough pull anyway. 

How about his little honey for an inexpensive record cleaner?

It can be found at Walgreen's. I use distilled water. It is out of stock because audiophiles have been buying them.

Here is a YouTube description of the cleaning process. Another video using this cleaning method.

No effects from the steam temp? Just curious

Groomlakearea51:

No effects from the steam temp? Just curious

None that I can tell. I hold the tip ~4-6" from the record. Works pretty good for me! It has cleaned up several of the records you have given me. Not 100% quiet but getting there.