Full Range Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 I have started a plinth build with other enhancements on my Thorens TD-147 And I may have some questions on some materials as I go so I hope members will advise Some background on the Thorens TD-147 model It has all the factory installed TD-160 Super modifications For example 10mm bearing, subframe deadening, heavy thick MDF baseplate ect However the TD-147 has an added auto lift feature at the end of the record Reason for a plinth rebuild is that my units plinth is made from MDF The new plinth will be made from Tasmanian Oak hardwood timber I have decided to keep the same thickness of the plinth @19 mm thick - this decision was arrived at because it will be best to refit the cover without issues However the new plinth will be higher than the standard plinth by about 3/4” Other changes are to install / fix RCA plugs and the power plug onto the plinth ( currently it’s long wires direct from the tonearm wire block strip ) also add some quality feet I have decided to re-use the current thick MDF baseplate So far I have cut the timber for the plinth and glued the sections together As time permits because I’m busy at work day and night Next order of business will be the plinth corner and side blocks I am in two minds about the finish of the top edge surface 1) Paint it black so it matches the turntable colour and stained timber on the sides 2) All timber look 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 The pros and cons I could see for: 1. painting the top edge or 2. staining the top just like the sides will be finished That Tasmanian Oak grain is nice and could compliment those custom LaScalas you have. A couple of the 45s look rough, is that just the picture or did the flash make it show up worse? If they're not to your liking a flat black, not any sheen whatsoever could possibly help hide that. The guts of the TD 147 look nice. What is the platter like aesthetically? Any different thoughts in there that you haven't gone over already Paul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Re 45 deg angles - That’s the reason I am siding with black as I can hide the join with paint But I haven’t sanded any of the plinth yet and could look rough with the flash The platter is nice and original - I could sand and polish the edge to a shine Planning to use Neutrik RCA connectors Will update build as I make progress 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted September 27, 2018 Author Share Posted September 27, 2018 Update —. I was using the router to make a base insert lip to the bottom of the plinth And an accident happened The dog was chasing a lizard and bumped me as he went past The result was a gouge If I wasn’t a perfectionist I could just fit the base over the damaged area But I think I will start all over again or if I can borrow a plane from a friend I may be able to salvage it as it’s only a depth of less than 1mm 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Good luck with that, a planar and only losing a little height could end up being just what the dr. ordered! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1290 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Sounds like that dog might just be a small horse! How'd the talk with him go after he bumped you? 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 5 hours ago, Dave1290 said: Sounds like that dog might just be a small horse! How'd the talk with him go after he bumped you? 😂 I had to have the dog close to me because he has been sick due to tick paralysis And he was happy just watching from the top of the stairs Then I suppose momentum to over when he chased a lizard I was a little upset but I used facial expressions to show my displeasure 😤 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Yep, he probably meant to catch the lizard instead of hitting you! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted September 29, 2018 Author Share Posted September 29, 2018 I went to the hardware store and purchased another length of Tasmanian Oak timber for the plinth Will use the damaged one as a test template so the new plinth does not get scratched ect Also found some base board materials in my garage so considering this as well for a more robust build Baseboard material available is 25mm thick - high density MDF 25mm thick - Laminated bamboo I have enough material to make a loose isolation base board for coupling as well Son in-law is a timber floor layer so I’m going to get him to cut the 45 deg angles and the baseboard for me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 I have redesigned the plinth to be unique and possibly a one of a kind Since my last post I had the idea germinate in my minds eye and have visited my local boutique timber merchant looking for a slab offcut Well yesterday I found a piece of laminated Tasmanian Oak just the right size, and I am just preparing the measurements and templates for outer cuts and the cutout for the turntable Also decided that the cuts will be done at a local CNC shop for accuracy The idea is to 1 Have a table top surface for the turntable to sit flush with 2 A plinth frame will be attached on the underside - Same as a 19mm standard plinth but thicker @32mm 3 All the standard bracing as per original will be made to suit 4 The TT cutout of the table top will be reused as a base plate 5 Add a different refurbished cover from the past as it suits to perfection. This cover has a darker tint that blends better overall with the TT and is a little larger I have photos of the new design idea This is the slab with the frame / plinth timber I will be using behind The frame to the right is an old plinth frame that was damaged but used as an illustration The templates are made Outer for the overall top & Inner for the turntable cutout The rear view to what it will look like all around with the frame in place The cover with the darker tint I intend using And a photo with flash takes the tint away 😃 I dont have a timeline as Christmas is approaching and I have some side projects to complete first HOWEVER I can also use the same technique as above and turn the plank longways Overlap the current 19mm think plinth / frame by up to 10mm to give an overall 3D effect, and better timber end grain matching Then use the original Thorens cover ( as the cover above overlaps in this rotation) What say you on the best orientation option ? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 10 hours ago, Full Range said: I have redesigned the plinth to be unique and possibly a one of a kind Since my last post I had the idea germinate in my minds eye and have visited my local boutique timber merchant looking for a slab offcut Well yesterday I found a piece of laminated Tasmanian Oak just the right size, and I am just preparing the measurements and templates for outer cuts and the cutout for the turntable Also decided that the cuts will be done at a local CNC shop for accuracy The idea is to 1 Have a table top surface for the turntable to sit flush with 2 A plinth frame will be attached on the underside - Same as a 19mm standard plinth but thicker @32mm 3 All the standard bracing as per original will be made to suit 4 The TT cutout of the table top will be reused as a base plate 5 Add a different refurbished cover from the past as it suits to perfection. This cover has a darker tint that blends better overall with the TT and is a little larger I have photos of the new design idea This is the slab with the frame / plinth timber I will be using behind The frame to the right is an old plinth frame that was damaged but used as an illustration The templates are made Outer for the overall top & Inner for the turntable cutout The rear view to what it will look like all around with the frame in place The cover with the darker tint I intend using And a photo with flash takes the tint away 😃 I dont have a timeline as Christmas is approaching and I have some side projects to complete first HOWEVER I can also use the same technique as above and turn the plank longways Overlap the current 19mm think plinth / frame by up to 10mm to give an overall 3D effect, and better timber end grain matching Then use the original Thorens cover ( as the cover above overlaps in this rotation) What say you on the best orientation option ? Are you planning to stain or oil...? I would use the scrap pieces.. And experiment... With light and dark Stain... Express Color™ Oak Walnut Mahogany Pecan Emerald Crimson Indigo Onyx How-ToGet InspiredWoodworking ProjectsBlogVideos HOME \ PRODUCTS \ MINWAX® STAINS COLOR GUIDE Stains Color Guide Minwax® helps you select the ideal stain color for your wood project. Save The colors shown are for reference purposes only. They have been reproduced using digital production techniques. Always test stain on a hidden area of the wood to verify desired color. Wood Finish™ Stain Gel Stain Water Based Wood Stain PolyShades® Water Based WoodSheen® Express Color™ Wood Finishing Cloths Minwax® Wood Finish™ + Minwax® Gel Stain + Minwax® Water Based Wood StainBright & Bold Crimson Tangerine Daffodil Green Tea Hunter Green Navy Blue Island Water Burgundy Sangria Cherry Blossom Perfectly Pink Coral 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 6 minutes ago, dirtmudd said: Are you planning to stain or oil...? I would use the scrap pieces.. And experiment... With light and dark Stain... I will be using the same oil stain as the Garrard 401 plinth The penetrating wood oil is called Cutek 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 1 minute ago, Full Range said: I will be using the same oil stain as the Garrard 401 plinth The penetrating wood oil is called Cutek Colourtones Cutek oils are available in 10 different Colourtones that are formulated to enhance the natural character and beauty of wood without obscuring the grain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 @dirtmudd Thanks - I will need to have a look at the name of the tint and reply in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Just now, Full Range said: @dirtmudd Thanks - I will need to have a look at the name of the tint and reply in the morning Its morning here ! Lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 1 minute ago, dirtmudd said: Its morning here ! Lol Its almost midnight here But the colour looks like - Sela Brown and the name rings a bell 🛎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 11 hours ago, Full Range said: What say you on the best orientation option ? I like this way better, incorporating the third piece in there could reduce any resonance even more. If the top of one of your cabinets can hold that it is interesting. How are you addressing the feet needing to be two different heights from the bottom of that proposed plinth? Or is it possible that four low ones under the turntable would be able to keep the whole unit balanced? Not sure how the weight of that top piece impacts this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 @JohnJ A quick brief The timber outside the cover area will be cut away and the inside will be routed to sink the turntable flush It will match the dimensions of the plinth frame underneath Measurements are Inside - 400 mm x 310 mm Outside - 464 mm x 374mm ********* Originaly I was thinking to cut away everything outside the cover However it does look good to have that offset reverse L on the right side So I have decided to have a 33 mm ( about 1.5” ) up to 40 mm offset border I can achieve this by cutting the rectangle plinth frame on the wide flat side The feet are round alloy with an O ring embedded into the base and they will screw into the underframe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 Those feet do look nice. I need to get industrious and put a fourth foot on my strange tripod turntable! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1290 Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 That's going to be totally insane when it's finished. You can sure tell it's been thought out. The wood/stain should just totally pop it but man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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