Author Topic: $57 Record Cleaning Machine  (Read 9909 times)

sedwards

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$57 Record Cleaning Machine
« on: September 17, 2012, 04:04:13 PM »
What to do when:
A) You just getting back into vinyl and buying most of your (dusty) records at Goodwill
B) You don't have enough money for a VPI
and
C) You're not the most technically adept person in the world.

Answer: A $57 Record Cleaning Machine.



Here's a list of parts:
1. Cabinet - this one was a used Ikea one that I got on Craigslist ($10)

2. Broken turntable platter given away as a garage sale leftover

3. Shop Vac Hang Up Mini ($26)

4. Couple of Chrome Plumbing Pipes from Home Depot ($10)

5. Piece of Velvet Swiped from Wife's Sewing Box

6. Piece of Cork Matting ($5)

7. Off/On Toggle Switch from Radio Shack ($3)

8. 4" Plastic Laundry Line Pully found in the basement

9. 4 1/2" Rubber Sink Washer ($3)



Throw in a brush of your choosing and some homemade cleaning fluid, and it works just fine. Might not be fancy, or pretty, but gets the job done!



Thinking of throwing in a reversable motor if I can figure out what kind to get, so at present its hand powered. Whole thing took about 2 hours to put together.

eleazar

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2012, 05:08:07 PM »
That's friggin' awesome
Great Job  :thumb:


Bill

Offline richidoo

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2012, 06:10:56 PM »
Nicely done! I have that little shop vac, it is very powerful! Use lots of distilled water to rinse rinse rinse! The chrome pipes are a nice touch... ;)  I hope they don't rust?

Offline BobM

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2012, 05:31:39 AM »
When are you going to begin manufacturing to sell to the masses? I can see it now on e-bay and Audiogon, the "SRCM" (Sedwards Record Cleaning Machine) for 1/3 the price of a VPI.

 :thumb:
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Offline rollo

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2012, 08:08:21 AM »
Cool. Good idea.


charles
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Offline StereoNut

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2012, 08:21:55 AM »
When are you going to begin manufacturing to sell to the masses? I can see it now on e-bay and Audiogon, the "SRCM" (Sedwards Record Cleaning Machine) for 1/3 the price of a VPI.

 :thumb:

How do I place my order?  :lol:
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sedwards

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2012, 08:39:58 AM »
Ha! Thanks for all the encouragement, folks. Its a pretty simple machine, but works great. I think the pictures make it self explanatory, but if anyone has any questions, don't hesitate....

Offline Carlman

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2012, 02:21:14 PM »
I wasn't sure how you were sucking the water off the record... did you cut a slit in the pipe going over the record?  Or holes?  Is that covered by the felt/velvet?
I really enjoy listening to music.

sedwards

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2012, 02:30:37 PM »
Hi Carlman - I cut a slit into the bottom of the chrome pipe the wide of the record using a small radial saw and then filed the edges smooth. Then I plugged the end of the tube using a small circle of plastic. I used spray adhesive to adhere the velvet strip on the bottom, and then a razor blade to cut a slit in the velvet along the same slit that was in the chrome. The spray adhesive is great because I can easily peel away the velvet when it gets worn and stick on a new piece.

Offline Carlman

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Re: $57 Record Cleaning Machine
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2012, 11:27:54 AM »
Cool, thanks..
I had a thought... if you're interested in design improvement ideas...

It might be good to use a cleaner replacement as the contact/vacuum area.. I can't remember the brand but you have one in the photo.. (the triangular rubber cleaners) have replacement felts that you can use as well.. not sure if it's 'over the top'... but just thinking out loud.
I really enjoy listening to music.