Cost-Effective High Torque TT Options

[Fattcamp]

Hi trolls,

I've been building David's lockdown lathe and now that (mostly) everything works, I'm needing to sort out a high torque TT option. I've been searching the forum like crazy to the point where my brain is mush... so figured I'd fire this out into the ether and try to regain my sanity.

There are options such as David's stepper motor/Arduino method using parts from an old TT, upper tier options like SP10mk2's, REK-O-Cuts etc... In your guys opinion, if you're on somewhat of a budget, what would you suggest for hobbyist that's focused on embossing (for now)? I hear mixed reviews of the classic SL1200mk2 but there are some in my area for around $500. There's also a Pioneer plx-500 for around $400 as well as a Stanton STR8.150 for the same price (all priced Canadian). I was trying to keep things below that amount and in a perfect world not need to build one, but open to suggestions.

I'm a newbie, the lockdown lathe his is my first build and I've never owned a lathe before but hoping to come up with something that can handle the tracking force of around 35g for the embossing stylus I'll be getting from record lathe parts.

Thanks guys,
Dave

[boryo]

Numark TTX (but not the one with '1' in the model name, like TTX1). If it says only TTX then you should be good to go. Numark NTX1000 also has a lot of torque but I've never tried. Good luck!

[spinnertownblanks]

We wrote a short blog about this

https://spinnertownblanks.com/blogs/spinner-town-blog/budget-turntable-replacement-for-a-vr-t560

[Fattcamp]

Thanks very much guys! I'll look into those models. I also just read that blog (Super helpful) and I'll be sure to check more out on that site.

[Fattcamp]

Hey guys,

I ended up going with a Stanton STR8.150 locally as the Numark TTX looked in rough shape and the seller wasn't very responsive. I'm aware that the platters are hit or miss and I may need to replace it with a precision-machined option but it's a start! Thanks again for the help guys. I just need the embossing stylus and I can technically start embossing for the first time with my Lockdown Lathe!

Dave

[discosdecorte]

Hi!

Check this out:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1mEos4YniA5fJAe5kaDZSCeQvaWtOYgwXRF445_ity7s/htmlview#gid=0

I am not the author, I've found it searching for info about high torque turntables on Reddit. Hope this helps!

Fer

[Vinylfan]

We wrote a short blog about this

https://spinnertownblanks.com/blogs/spinner-town-blog/budget-turntable-replacement-for-a-vr-t560

Many thanks for the blog.

I switched from a Technics 1210 to an SP10-MKII that I was able to buy at a reasonable price and I'm very happy with it, even if I think the platter could be even a bit more stable.

Occasionally, however the SP10 has a weird behavior, the speed is unstable. Luckily this occurs very rarely and I can't reproduce it.
Nevertheless, it unsettles me and that's why I'm thinking about changing the SP10.

May I ask why you replaced the seemingly perfect solution of the SP10 with the Numark TT-500?
How would you compare the stability of the platter between the SP-10 and the TT-500?

Thank you

[spinnertownblanks]

We had 3 x Vinyl Recorders running with 3 x SP10 MKII's and we run a mastering studio called Pressure Mastering using this set up for many years. However things have changed and we started Spinner Town Blanks and needed investment to get going. Black PETG plastic is extremely expensive, so we downsized the studio. These days we do mastering and Spinner Town and we are down to one lathe using it only really for testing diamonds or discs.

To be totally honest, i am surprised at how good the TT500 is, we are having no issues at all. In terms of measurements, you can not beat the SP10 MKII, its solid as a rock, shame you are having issues. But saying that, also totally happy with the TT500 and definitely recommend trying it. You can pick them up really cheap.

[Vinylfan]

Thanks for this detailed reply. I think I will look for a TT500 just in case.

[spinnertownblanks]

Thanks for this detailed reply. I think I will look for a TT500 just in case.

It is a good cheap alternative for sure