Hockey puck as record clamp

Hi.

I am planning to DIY record clamps from hockey pucks.

Branded record clamps cost a fair bit. As such I have decided to make them from hockey pucks as some vinyl enthusiasts have found that it works.

Any comments from our forum members?

Extracted from Audiokarma forum:

07-08-2005, 07:49 AM

Strawman Moderator   Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fraser, Mi. Posts: 8,964

I tried it, I think it really tightened up the bass, and cleaned up the high end, just sounds much smoother. Haven't compared it to a storebought clamp, as I'm cheap and like inexpensive tweaks. Tried it on a Pioneer PL-117D, Kenwood KD-5066, and Sony PS-X4. heard improvement on all. Give it a try.

hi SPH...

I would say go for it if it does not cost you an arm and a leg. Once you have the pug....do a comparison and revert into this thread on your comparison result.

cheers  

Yes, I will definitely let you know the outcome.
It is very difficult to find the pucks here in Malaysia as the sport is not played here.
I have to source them from overseas. 

I have a good feeling about them being used as record clamps.

The puck is about 160grams if I read right. For TT, I feel it should be from 360gram to half kilo for heavy weight platters. IMHO, anything below 200gram won't do much good, it doesn't have sufficient weight to clamp a not very flat LP. Its not the same as screwed or bolted on clamps. This is specifically designed for clamping and not to add on platter mass. The VPI HRX steel clamp is about 1.75 pounds. On another note, I won't use any clamp on spring suspended TT, like Linn or Thorens. Clamps weren't part of the design nor intended, AFAIK, its to play records as-is.

cmboy
Your point noted and I did notice the typical weights of these clamps. 

I will try the plain puck initially to see how it sounds. Then I will add another puck on top of it or add a decorative weight (perhaps a nice door knob) on it to do further comparisons. This will give it the required weight.

You might want to explore about leather turntable mat found at Ebay. I use one and its far superior to a cotton or rubber mat. Of course your mileage may vary.

Hi sph, on another, u can check out our local Michael lim version the puck. Within reasonable price range, if not mistaken, there is those liquid balance gauge in it too.

cmboy & adrian4454
Many thanks for your suggestions.

I just had a look at Michael Lim's blog
http://lpturntables.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/record-clampweight-with-bulls-eye-level.html

The puck's weight is 160g, which is about the same as the hockey puck. I will try it plain and see how that goes. Then I will add incremental weights to compare.
The pucks are relatively cheap. So it's a no-brainer to start with.

Presently, I don't have a functional TT. I have purchased 2 used Lenco GL75 recently which I intend to refurbish.
One of them doesn't have a plinth. So I plan to give that a good plinth and DIY a tonearm (or two if I can find the time).

Hopefully, I can get one TT running by end of the month.

Hi SPH...

while ur testing the pucks... Have a go trying out  the various mats.... Cotton mats, no slip rubber mats, cork mats, silicone foam mats or rubber mats....most of this can be sourced from stationery shops.....

On my TT the cork mat sounded much tighter ...sharp and crisp.

Don't rush...enjoy your experimentation.....and ur TT refurbishing project ....the Web has lots of info...

  Cheers

wingman,

Thanks for your advice.
I got my inspiration from the Lenco Heaven website. Loads of info available there.
And the photos of the modified Lenco TTs there are just gorgeous. Really impressive.

VinylEngine too has some good info, but the Lenco site is specifically for Lenco TT.

Yes, I have done my research for the mats too. I have some ideas on DIYing the mats from cork and other materials. So many possibilities one can get carried away.

Hi SPH...

How is ur LENCO restoration coming along.....am keen to c ur work of art.....

Anyway prices of used TT's in MY is mind boggling....

Have done some upgrades on my LP12... Base board....tone arm.....arm board..... Next would be external power supply...and the last would be to MC CART....

All in all it's has been a 2 year upgrading activity.....and it may take another year....after every upgrade....perform an assessment to check if there are any difference....so far it's in the green ....

Update us on ur progress.

Cheers  

Sph,

You going to use the hockey puck on a Lenco TT? I thought it was not advisable to use clamps on Lenco TT due to its spring 'suspension".

I have no idea if clamps or weights should be used on the spring suspension Lenco.
The puck isn't heavy. So far it doesn't seem to deteriorate the sound, to my old ears.

I have done a few tweaks to the machine.
1. Serviced the motor.
2. Added a rubber platter ring.
3. Temporary re-wire of the tonearm (bypassed the internal wiring).
4. Stuck some blue tac under platter.
5. Made a mat from felt and another from the anti-slip material for carpets. Used the felt mat on top of the anti-slip mat.

The TT is now very silent after the motor servicing.

The re-wiring resulted in a more dymamic sound. Due to the design of the tonearm I could not re-wire the internal wiring of the tonearm. The wiring was done externally to evaluate the performance of the wires. It's not a permanent mod. I intend to use the wires for a DIY tonearm.

I think all the little mods have collectively improved the performance so far.

More to come .......

AFAIK, there's 2 kinds of "record clamp" design.

Medium to Heavyweight type (around 250gram to 600gram mass) = to add stability and clamp the LP flat to platter to result in even and improved stability. This can be an optional add on to heavyweight build turntables. 

Screw on or clamp to spindle types, made of delrin, aluminum or other suitable material = primarily designed to screw or grip to spindle to flatten the LP to platter, nothing else. Since this is lightweight, it likely don't affect or wear down the turntable bearings. 

IMO, the lightweight clamp types do nothing much else except to clamp the LP flat. Whatever SQ improvement perceived or placebo is a touch of miss affair. 

I'm looking to buy that VPI HRX heavyweight for my VPI. I'm unsure if its going to be another USD$150 gamble. It already sound good with its original delrin clamp. Not too long ago I briefly compared with 2 makes of clamp, Clearaudio and and a 600gram Audio Technica "clamp" on a heavy build TT. I wasn't too impressed with whatever benefit its supposed to offer. It was either too little to hear or some placebo.

wingman/cmboy,

So far the evaluation has been quite encouraging.

The bass appear to be better defined - more solid, tighter.

I tried with 1 puck, 2 puck and even 3 pucks. The 3-pucks mod killed the highs a fair bit. Sounded recessed.

The 1-puck and the 2-pucks mod sounded best.

I have not been able to find cork material for the mat. Tried stationary store like Popular and even art supply shops - no joy. Any suggestions where I can get it?

Cheers.

Why not buy from Ebay or Pro-Ject cork mat, maybe a bit pricy but assured it was designed as a turntable mat. Buying some 3rd party cork material may not be even and wasn't intended for TT.
I once had a ProJect cork mat, good item but didn't like the sound. Gave it away. Now I use a quality hand made leather mat for my TT and its superior to whatever I've used in the past on my rig. That will stay indefinitely. No more looking around. It suit my expectations entirely.

I polished the platter today. Only the top and the side were polished. Looks great!

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