Suggestions re Tracking Force Scales

[BuzzzFuzzz]

Wondering if you have a suggestion for a digital tracking force scale, seems to be many around, some pretty cheap on ebay.

Looking for something reliable and accurate.

 

Thanks.

Ant.

[Guest DarkNark]

I bought a cheap one from eBay around $10-15. It came with a little 5g calibration weight. Seems to work fine. I have checked it against an expensive version and it was spot on.

[Guest Muon N']

https://www.dx.com/p/digital-precision-scale-with-leather-case-5g-max-0-01g-resolution-2006002#.XWvuiXsRVaQ

[Citroen]

I've bought a few of those scales and they are very accurate. 

 

Just make sure you use it at the correct stylus height, as it can sit slightly higher than an 180gm record. 

[DRC]

I had an expensive brand name digital scale (from an overseas specialist hi fi shop) and after a couple of years it failed. I then ordered a cheapy from eBay ex China and I was a little surprised to find it was the same unit sans branding in a less fancy box.

[Guest Muon N']

@DRC

 

I had a similar experience, except I lent the $60 one out and it was never returned, so I got one from DX and it did the job just as well

 

I regard the expensive ones as a ........... now.

[aussievintage]

As everyone is telling you, just get the cheapie.  They are great.  I did find the first battery didn't last as long as the replacement I put in, and the replacement cost nearly as much as the scales   

[stevoz]

Yes, as stated by some above, the cheap ones off ebay are the way to go. I have one, it does a great job. Just be sure to remove your platter mat when you check VTF, so you are doing it at a similar or same VTA as when an LP is on the platter.

 

If you want it quicker (locally):

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-LCD-Turntable-Cartridge-Tracking-Stylus-Force-Scale-Gauge-with-5g-Weight/383115494034?hash=item5933768292:g:W88AAOSw2ipdXe6R

 

.....and if you want it even cheaper (from China but slower to get):

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Turntable-Stylus-Force-Scale-Gauge-5g-0-01g-Blue-LCD/223526055745?hash=item340b30ef41:g:BNsAAOSwIyxcvY17

 

NB: Some are only in .1g increments.....make sure you get .01g increments for greater accuracy. The ones linked above are .01g increments.

 

Good move Ant......correct VTF can make a big difference to SQ and you want the best you can achieve.

 

I assume you already have one of these?

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Anti-static-Vinyl-Record-LP-Carbon-Fibre-Fiber-Record-Cleaner-Cleaning-Brush/322652136648?hash=item4b1f90e4c8:g:pdIAAOSw-hRcejZ5

 

Accept my apologies if you do.....

 

Also, what are you going to use to clean your stylus? I use these (please don't laugh!)......Sticky Hands childs toy, as they are made of the same/similar stuff as Zerodust and Moongel (TPU - thermal polyurethane or plastisol) but at a fraction of the cost:

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10X-Jelly-Sticky-Mini-Snapper-Hands-Toy-Party-Favor-Novelty-PRIZES-AWARD-FAAV/273973153886?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dcea213f36ff049478e3f8f019c6f2006%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D123880228085%26itm%3D273973153886%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

They work a treat.....an example (my DL103 tip):

 

From this:

 

 

......to this:

 

 

Yes.....Sticky Hands.

Edited September 2, 2019 by stevoz

[Martykt]

8 hours ago, Muon N' said:

https://www.dx.com/p/digital-precision-scale-with-leather-case-5g-max-0-01g-resolution-2006002#.XWvuiXsRVaQ

@BuzzzFuzzz I bought this exact one and it's great, highly recommended.

Has the 5 gram calibration weight and is the correct height for the stylus.

To save the batteries I just pull them out when not in use. 

[stevoz]

10 minutes ago, Martykt said:

@BuzzzFuzzz I bought this exact one and it's great, highly recommended.

Has the 5 gram calibration weight and is the correct height for the stylus.

To save the batteries I just pull them out when not in use. 

 

Wouldn't you just turn it off?

[Guest Muon N']

4 minutes ago, stevoz said:

 

Wouldn't you just turn it off?

That's all I did, but I always had an assortment of small batteries on hand, think I changed them once in two years.

 

Maybe they might have lasted longer pulling them *shrug*

[Martykt]

1 minute ago, stevoz said:

 

Wouldn't you just turn it off?

No, quite often batteries can drain down over time when left in a device despite being turned off.

Being something that doesn't get used often pulling the batteries out saves me from having flat batteries when I do go to use it.  

[BuzzzFuzzz]

Thank you one and all, very much appreciated.

 

I do have a carbon fibre brush and a stylus brush, but they came in a record cleaning kit from the Reject shop a few years ago, so the quality should be dubious to say the least.  I don't really use the carbon fibre brush; I use a fine, fanned cleaning brush with the vacuum, tapered nozzle held very close.  I do this before every spin and it can be a pain in the bum.  I do use the stylus brush, from back to front, with the vacuum as well.  I have to leave the vacuum nearby at all times too.

 

Thanks to all for the links and your time.  I think they scales with the calibration weight are the way to go for sure.

Will look out for the sticky hands too.

 

I'm off for a little shopping and transfer some funds into my second bank account for paypal.

 

Cheers Big Ears.

Ant.

[Martykt]

8 minutes ago, BuzzzFuzzz said:

 

I do have a carbon fibre brush and a stylus brush, but they came in a record cleaning kit from the Reject shop a few years ago, so the quality should be dubious to say the least.  I don't really use the carbon fibre brush; I use a fine, fanned cleaning brush with the vacuum, tapered nozzle held very close.  

Be careful with using the cleaning brush unless it is an extremely soft one otherwise it might be damaging your records.

 

The best record cleaning brushes that I've found are the Mofi ones.

 

You should also consider washing your records with an appropriate record cleaner  rather than vacuuming them.

In the end it will give you better results !!

[Guest Muon N']

Vacuum cleaners tend to produce static, that's why they have special ones for electronics.

[stevoz]

For the LP's you have already cleaned through 'glue peeling' Ant, just a quality carbon fibre brush should be sufficient, as they are pretty much as clean as your going to get them. Vacuuming could be overkill.....

Edited September 2, 2019 by stevoz

[Guest Muon N']

A wet vac machine is OK, in fact....... very good.

[BuzzzFuzzz]

Nice one guys, I’m prepared to start spending a little more on vinyl care.

Great advice, deeply appreciated.

Having lunch with Mum, going to the nursery for some spring colour and herbs, then home to purchase some quality accessories.

 

Thank you.

Ant.

[BuzzzFuzzz]

1 hour ago, Muon N' said:

Vacuum cleaners tend to produce static, that's why they have special ones for electronics.

Thanks man.

I didn’t notice static in Queensland with the humidity.

Moving to rural NSW, where the air is very dry, I’ve noticed I get zapped everywhere, from getting out of the car, to turning the amp volume up or down.  I have to remember to ground myself before touching the amp, a pain in the bum.

I didn’t know about this issue with vacuums.

 

Thanks again.

Ant.

[Guest Muon N']

1 minute ago, BuzzzFuzzz said:

Thanks man.

I didn’t notice static in Queensland with the humidity.

Moving to rural NSW, where the air is very dry, I’ve noticed I get zapped everywhere, from getting out of the car, to turning the amp volume up or down.  I have to remember to ground myself before touching the amp, a pain in the bum.

I didn’t know about this issue with vacuums.

 

Thanks again.

Ant.

Had a few dry cool days here a few weeks ago and everything I touched zapped me! leaving the unit first the unit door, then the entrance door..I thought that would be it, but nah...the garage door too and the car door CD player too, had to use a wood pencil to activate buttons.

 

I only know the vacuum/static thing from my study i did with computers when I used to work on them. Static damage is accumulative, when handling hardware it may not cause a fault straight up but maybe down the track, more likely if repeated discharges. Just thought it may cause a build up of static on the record surface

[BuzzzFuzzz]

2 minutes ago, Muon N' said:

Had a few dry cool days here a few weeks ago and everything I touched zapped me! leaving the unit first the unit door, then the entrance door..I thought that would be it, but nah...the garage door too and the car door CD player too, had to use a wood pencil to activate buttons.

 

I only know the vacuum/static thing from my study i did with computers when I used to work on them. Static damage is accumulative, when handling hardware it may not cause a fault straight up but maybe down the track, more likely if repeated discharges. Just thought it may cause a build up of static on the record surface

Awesome.

Thanks mate.

I don’t touch the surface with the vacuum, holding it very close behind the brush.  I have some recall about someone mentioning to always touch the spindle when brushing the record from the outside in, to release or prevent static.

not sure now if that would build up and become a problem as you mentioned.

I think it best to stop using the vacuum and obtain a quality carbon fibre brush.

 

Cheers.

[Guest Muon N']

A wet /vac cleaning machine is a good investment if you have a good amount of records.....there are some budget ones, one from South America.

[andyr]

59 minutes ago, BuzzzFuzzz said:

Awesome.

Thanks mate.

I don’t touch the surface with the vacuum, holding it very close behind the brush.  I have some recall about someone mentioning to always touch the spindle when brushing the record from the outside in, to release or prevent static.

 

If you have a problem with static - I suggest you should buy a wet/vac or us cleaning system (as both these methods remove the static that a record might have, before being cleaned).

 

59 minutes ago, BuzzzFuzzz said:

I think it best to stop using the vacuum and obtain a quality carbon fibre brush.

 

Good idea! 

 

Andy