Turntable Shipping

[peter]

Hi all:

I have a Technics SL-1700 Mk. II table sitting in my parents' house in Vancouver B.C. I live in San Francisco. I bought it new in 1984, but because it was a display model, I never got either the manual for it (easy to find on-line--no problem there) or the transport screws, which, I believe, are necessary to ship/move this table. This is a direct drive table and the four transport screws apparently lock the platter down--they screw in from the bottom of the table. I have done a couple of Google searches, but no luck. I don't really expect to find original transport screws (although that would be ideal), so what I really want to know is--can I put this table on a thick pad of foam, put it in a box and drive it the 16 hour drive from Vancouver to SF without damaging it?

I sure would appreciate any help.

[Upstateaudio]

Try this link. www.theturntablefactory.com

I believe he has directions on turntable packing and he repairs Technics as a major part of his business.

[peter]

Tried that one already...no luck with direct drive tables!

[Damián]

Originally posted by peter
This is a direct drive table and the four transport screws apparently lock the platter down--they screw in from the bottom of the table.
Another idea: why don't you try and remove (gently) all of the parts that could cause damage if they became loose/rattled/etc. during the drive? By this I mean the platter, counterweight and I'm probably forgetting a couple but many manuals have a 'Shipping' section in which they state what is to be packed and shipped separately. Just a thought.

Originally posted by Upstateaudio
Try this link. www.theturntablefactory.com

I believe he has directions on turntable packing and he repairs Technics as a major part of his business.
Definitely drop Joel (the guy behind theturntablefactory.com) an email. Even if you don't see many tables like yours in there, I've emailed him a couple times out of the blue thinking I wouldn't even get an answer and he was nothing but help.

[audio]

Damian is correct. All you have to do is remove the platter, counterweight, etc, remove the dust cover, lock the tonearm in place and you'll be fine. As long as there is no weight on the main bearing(s), no damage will result. If you want some detailed instructions on the best way to do this, let me know. I've shipped MANY turntables.

[Clay]

A bouncy 4x4 vs. a smooth riding car may determine the amount of packing. A piece of foam with a feather pillow on top should provide plenty of protection. You probably set it on the seat to get it home when new and being a demo may not have had the transit screws in for the ride.
If you remove the platter and lock the tonearm it should make it fine. IMO

I agree to send an email to the turntable factory to see if he has the transit screws or if he know the thread size and length for the screw. If someone has the same turntable - they could measure the threads and length on their transit screws so you could buy some from the local hardware store. or not.

[Gary]

As well as taking the platter off, etc., also tie down the tonearm with some twist ties! You can never be too careful!

[peter]

Thanks all. The problem is that I don't think you can remove the platter from a direct drive table. Or, if you can, I have not figured out the way to do it. I will give the Turntable Factory another try. I really would like to get my table back. I enjoyed it for many years. Built like a tank. Even Fremer made positive comments about these tables.

Thanks again all and if anyone knows how you get the platter off, I'd sure like to know. If I could at least do that, I think I'd be OK.

[Gary]

I think you just lift the platter straight up....??? It can't be fixed since it has to rotate?

Sorry, man - it's been a long time since I've tried lifting it off my old Technics!

If that does not work, what if you stuffed paper under the edges of the platter to keep it from wobbling.... ?

[Damián]

Hope I'm not suggesting anything stupid (I had a DD table long ago), but I recall on mine the platter lifted right up off the spindle.

You might want to try very very gently at first, leave it alone if it does not budge.

[peter]

I have tried that long ago--it does not lift off. However, I will try again when I am next in Vancouver a few weeks from now. Thanks again.

[Clay]

I have found that all dd turntables have lift holes in the platter.
Usually put your fingers in the holes and provide a quick firm straight upward pull on the platter. It is usually a press fit on the spindle.