Vinyl warps and dishing... bring it on!!!

[dogpile]

I finally purchased a ring clamp to flatten all my warped/dished vinyl...stuff that I haven't played in years. The clamp is from Merrill-Scillia Research. You may or may not have heard of them but they've been in the turntable business for many years. I can't express the importance of spinning vinyl on a level surface - proper stylus/groove placement, less wear to vinyl groove walls, longer cantilever/stylus life & better sonics :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Merrill-Scillia site: http://www.merrillaudio.com/products.html

[seed_drill]

It's pretty, does it work with any standard platter, or do you need one of theirs?

[LeeS]

Very nice. Congrats!

[Lord Hawthorne]

Those things can work for lightly-warped records, but you can never fix a melted groove.

[dgsinner]

Nice, but why are these things so expensive? The one pictured here is US$450. What accounts for the high cost of so apparently simple a piece?

Dale

[mcow1]

Nice, but why are these things so expensive? The one pictured here is US$450. What accounts for the high cost of so apparently simple a piece?

Dale

The one for VPI is $600. $450 looks good to me. :D

[dogpile]

It's pretty, does it work with any standard platter, or do you need one of theirs?

Thanks guys... my vinyl thanks me!! $450 is not cheap but it will last a lifetime.

It will fit a platter 12.25" diameter or less. I am using mine with a Teres platter.

For those using a Tri-Planar arm, the VPI is too large but this one fits perfectly.

[Oyama]

Congratulations on you purchase Harry! :righton:

How heavy is this ring clamp?

[Oyama]

Nice, but why are these things so expensive? The one pictured here is US$450. What accounts for the high cost of so apparently simple a piece?

Dale

I've been told that the material alone is costly then there's the machining and tooling costs.

[Ryan]

How do these work? Wouldn't a clamp (a ring, I mean) by nature have to grab part of the top of the record (and cut off at least a few seconds of the first track?)

[dogpile]

Congratulations on you purchase Harry! :righton:

How heavy is this ring clamp?

Hey thanks! Feels like 2.5lbs but less than 3lbs.

[dogpile]

How do these work? Wouldn't a clamp (a ring, I mean) by nature have to grab part of the top of the record (and cut off at least a few seconds of the first track?)

Good point! I've only played a few records with it... so far no problems missing a beat!
It will also depend on the cartridge one is using (wide or slim body, etc...)

[Oyama]

Hey thanks! Feels like 2.5lbs but less than 3lbs.

Thanks! It looks much heavier. :D

[adhoc]

.

[steve_c]

I flatten mine in a sauna between two sheets of glass, for a controlled temperature and period :)

[NMyTree]

Okay, these may seem like a silly questions to those of you who are knowledgable of these things, but I am not.

Wouldn't these type of things press down on the label of the record and cause resistance and drag on the spinning of the platter/record?

Wouldn't this effect the platters ability to spin at an accurate speed?

Wouldn't it also cause stress and premature wear of the belts or motor rotation devices?

Also, wouldn't this rub the label and cause wear and smear on the label's print?

I just started getting back into vinyl some months ago and even back in the 70s and early 80s, when I was really into vinyl; I never had any high quality turntables. Just the basic, inexpensive ones. So I don't know anything about these record clamp things.

[adhoc]

Okay, these may seem like a silly questions to those of you who are knowledgable of these things, but I am not.

That's fine, we all start out somewhere. :)

Wouldn't these type of things press down on the label of the record and cause resistance and drag on the spinning of the platter/record?

Nope. The spindle turns TOGETHER with the platter, so there is no effect.

Wouldn't this effect the platters ability to spin at an accurate speed?

Your platter may take longer to spin up, as it has more inertia to overcome, but once it's there, it's there. Think about filling a leaky container with water (spinning your platter up to speed - losses from friction). This time, the container is larger, but the leak is about the same size (heavier platter, but about the same loss to friction). So it'll take you longer to fill the container up to the brim, but once you get there, it's the same amount of "topping up" you'll have to do to keep it full (in speed). :)

Wouldn't it also cause stress and premature wear of the belts or motor rotation devices?

Possibly, yes. If applicable, your TT's belt is subjected to a greater "shock" as it "jerks" against a greater weight initially on startup. There may also be marginally more wear on your spindle thrust plate and spindle tip (they rub against each other) due to the increased downward force from the added weight.

Also, wouldn't this rub the label and cause wear and smear on the label's print?

If you're really NOT careful, maybe. Some are just weights which you place on a record in an up-down motion using the spindle as a guide; no chance for label rubbing. Others are screw-down, and if you're not careful, you can rub/damage labels.

I just started getting back into vinyl some months ago and even back in the 70s and early 80s, when I was really into vinyl; I never had any high quality turntables. Just the basic, inexpensive ones. So I don't know anything about these record clamp things.

Welcome (back) to the fold! :D

[adhoc]

Dogpile, do a quick test - roll your rim weight on a flat surface (a table). See if it stops somewhere. Does it seem to stop at any one position?

Despite the content of an earlier (now deleted/edited) post, I think I realise the importance of getting this rim weight thing done "correctly" now - you need the rim weight to be perfectly balanced - otherwise you run the risk of imbalancing your rotating platter, producing wow and definitely wearing your spindle bearing sleeves faster.

Wow! :cool:

[Billy Budapest]

Okay, these may seem like a silly questions to those of you who are knowledgable of these things, but I am not.

Wouldn't these type of things press down on the label of the record and cause resistance and drag on the spinning of the platter/record?

Wouldn't this effect the platters ability to spin at an accurate speed?

Wouldn't it also cause stress and premature wear of the belts or motor rotation devices?

Also, wouldn't this rub the label and cause wear and smear on the label's print?

I just started getting back into vinyl some months ago and even back in the 70s and early 80s, when I was really into vinyl; I never had any high quality turntables. Just the basic, inexpensive ones. So I don't know anything about these record clamp things.

I think you are a little confused here. The product we are talking about is the *ring* around the outer edge of the vinyl, not the *clamp* which presses down on the label area.

[NMyTree]

Thank you, Aaron (adhoc)!!!

That was very helpful!

[NMyTree]

I think you are a little confused here. The product we are talking about is the *ring* around the outer edge of the vinyl, not the *clamp* which presses down on the label area.

:laugh: Oh man, I didn't even see that.

I feel silly now. I didn't even know there was a such thing as a ring for the edge of the platter and record. Wow!

But still, these clamp things were something that I have wondered about often. So I'm glad I asked. Even if it was done in a state of confusion:D

Learn something new........every day!

[Plinko]

I just asked Merrill about their clamp and I also have been in contact with Rudolf regarding the Universal Record Stabilising Ring.

How does this one work? Just set it on the record? Is there any clamping activity? Also, does it come with any sort of tool that helps to center the ring?

thanks. and thanks for the great pic.

[ress4279]

As soon as someone breaks the $200.00 barrier, I'll get mine. $450.00-$600.00 feels like greed to me.

[Strabo]

As soon as someone breaks the $200.00 barrier, I'll get mine. $450.00-$600.00 feels like greed to me.

I agree. Once set up, they can rip these things off a turret lathe at the rate of 20 - 40 per hour. Must be some super special steel they are using to make up the rest of the cost.

I suppose hand balancing could run the cost up. :shh:

[ress4279]

Manufacturers are you listening? You can sell these as one-offs or do a QUALITY piece for $200 and sell in volume.