Jump to content

Thorens TD 147 Plinth Build


Full Range

Recommended Posts

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 

 

 

6B27E246-1FF3-4B34-B7EE-1B4BE04C9E29.jpeg

6952D7FF-A54A-4269-BC20-D81990592C78.jpeg

0C34BA51-BA84-446F-A8D0-624FC0524FA0.jpeg

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

 

  • Like 2
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 😤

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

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 

 

571DCC3B-A41C-4E00-9AB7-7FF503D0AA4E.thumb.jpeg.a67bd6caf79e2017dc2eec5149330772.jpeg

 

The templates are made 

Outer for the overall top & Inner for the turntable cutout 

 

A06AECA9-FCA4-46F3-8038-5048DC165B28.thumb.jpeg.08e5ff633c6c52a1c0ceb4a909417fb3.jpeg

 

The rear view to what it will look like all around with the frame in place 

 

808B39CB-5FE8-4AEB-AF34-13A55CC24CAD.thumb.jpeg.293e8910233489e7ba3f16f1b757de59.jpeg

 

The cover with the darker tint I intend using 

 

919C872D-7030-4135-88F6-C4E45A921A1E.thumb.jpeg.c44d76829d38dc76f60a298bf9714f11.jpeg

 

3AD30918-97E0-4CCC-9593-323E0BC8ED99.thumb.jpeg.e0685fb2248442d23466bf2ca66571e2.jpeg

 

And a photo with flash takes the tint away 😃

 

6629FFBE-B1B3-41FE-96C4-12F49472826B.thumb.jpeg.739f46a2c7068083b864247bfa33c462.jpeg

 

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) 

 

60F3FD32-1919-4EF8-B82E-E0A297B3A7A4.thumb.jpeg.eb9c5dc6ee746bf62d0a2b790e642a0d.jpeg

 

What say you on the best orientation option ? 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

 

571DCC3B-A41C-4E00-9AB7-7FF503D0AA4E.thumb.jpeg.a67bd6caf79e2017dc2eec5149330772.jpeg

 

The templates are made 

Outer for the overall top & Inner for the turntable cutout 

 

A06AECA9-FCA4-46F3-8038-5048DC165B28.thumb.jpeg.08e5ff633c6c52a1c0ceb4a909417fb3.jpeg

 

The rear view to what it will look like all around with the frame in place 

 

808B39CB-5FE8-4AEB-AF34-13A55CC24CAD.thumb.jpeg.293e8910233489e7ba3f16f1b757de59.jpeg

 

The cover with the darker tint I intend using 

 

919C872D-7030-4135-88F6-C4E45A921A1E.thumb.jpeg.c44d76829d38dc76f60a298bf9714f11.jpeg

 

3AD30918-97E0-4CCC-9593-323E0BC8ED99.thumb.jpeg.e0685fb2248442d23466bf2ca66571e2.jpeg

 

And a photo with flash takes the tint away 😃

 

6629FFBE-B1B3-41FE-96C4-12F49472826B.thumb.jpeg.739f46a2c7068083b864247bfa33c462.jpeg

 

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) 

 

60F3FD32-1919-4EF8-B82E-E0A297B3A7A4.thumb.jpeg.eb9c5dc6ee746bf62d0a2b790e642a0d.jpeg

 

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™

 

 

 
  •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
  •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
  •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
  •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
  •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
 
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.

 
minwax-wood-finish.png
 

Minwax®
Wood Finish™

 
  • Natural 209
  • Golden Oak 210B
  • Provincial 211
  • Red Oak 215
  • Puritan Pine 218
  • Ipswich Pine 221
  • Sedona Red 222
  • Colonial Maple 223
  • Special Walnut 224
  • Red Mahogany 225
  • Early American 230
  • Gunstock 231
  • Red Chestnut 232
  • English Chestnut 233
  • Cherry 235
  • Fruitwood 241
  • Golden Pecan 245
  • Pickled Oak 260
  • Weathered Oak 270
  • Classic Gray 271
  • Honey 272
  • Espresso 273
  • True Black 274
  • Simply White 275
  • Driftwood 2126
  • Dark Walnut 2716
  • Ebony 2718
  • Jacobean 2750
 
+
minwax-gel-stain.png
 

Minwax®
Gel Stain

 
  • Chestnut
  • Aged Oak
  • Antique Maple
  • Honey Maple
  • Mahogany
  • Walnut
  • Cherrywood
  • Brazilian Rosewood
  • Red Elm
  • Hickory
  • Black
  • Coffee
 
+
minwax-water-based-wood-stain-wwps.png
 

Minwax®
Water Based Wood Stain
Bright & Bold

 
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Untitled

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Full Range said:

 

919C872D-7030-4135-88F6-C4E45A921A1E.thumb.jpeg.c44d76829d38dc76f60a298bf9714f11.jpeg

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@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 

 

s-l1000.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...