Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RojDW48 · 18th Jan 2017, 7:04 pm

My little study seems to be turning into a refuge for mistreated examples of the output of the Hacker factory lately. This is the third example in two months. The tonearm on this SP25 Mk111 has had a hard time! One of the pivot screws is missing its little pivot pin - I can probably get over that with a little araldite and the sharp end of a drawing pin but the advice I need is about straightening the counterweight end. There appears to be some sort of rudimentary de-coupling going on? And I don't know what's inside. Should I just bite the bullet and bend it or do I need to be more subtle than that?

Edward Huggins · 18th Jan 2017, 7:10 pm

More subtlety needed! Take the end cap out, push a drill bit of a similar ID into the open end, insert until just before the bend and then gently straighten it. Best to lift up the deck to do this.

Restoration73 · 18th Jan 2017, 7:20 pm

Desolder wires from tagstrip and completely remove arm.
Withdraw the metal strip from end of arm and remove rear sleeve.
Straighten metal strip in a vice.
Reassemble in reverse order. Use epoxy resin glue to retain strip if loose in tube.

RojDW48 · 19th Jan 2017, 12:43 am

Thank you gents - that looks like good advice - I shall report back. The rest of this little survivor looks promising - warmed up with a variac and definitely alive.

nigelr2000 · 21st Jan 2017, 11:58 am

I can do you a pivot screw as I have a few scrap Garrard Decks lying around. Just PM me your address details.

RojDW48 · 21st Jan 2017, 12:34 pm

Most kind - PM sent

nigelr2000 · 21st Jan 2017, 8:26 pm

Will search out the screw on Monday when I am back in the workshop

RojDW48 · 22nd Jan 2017, 9:13 pm

Many thanks Nigel.

18th Jan 2017, 7:04 pm	#1
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please My little study seems to be turning into a refuge for mistreated examples of the output of the Hacker factory lately. This is the third example in two months. The tonearm on this SP25 Mk111 has had a hard time! One of the pivot screws is missing its little pivot pin - I can probably get over that with a little araldite and the sharp end of a drawing pin but the advice I need is about straightening the counterweight end. There appears to be some sort of rudimentary de-coupling going on? And I don't know what's inside. Should I just bite the bullet and bend it or do I need to be more subtle than that? Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

18th Jan 2017, 7:10 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,338	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please More subtlety needed! Take the end cap out, push a drill bit of a similar ID into the open end, insert until just before the bend and then gently straighten it. Best to lift up the deck to do this. __________________ Edward.

18th Jan 2017, 7:20 pm	#3
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please Desolder wires from tagstrip and completely remove arm. Withdraw the metal strip from end of arm and remove rear sleeve. Straighten metal strip in a vice. Reassemble in reverse order. Use epoxy resin glue to retain strip if loose in tube.

19th Jan 2017, 12:43 am	#4
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please Thank you gents - that looks like good advice - I shall report back. The rest of this little survivor looks promising - warmed up with a variac and definitely alive. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

21st Jan 2017, 11:58 am	#5
nigelr2000 Heptode Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Walsham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please I can do you a pivot screw as I have a few scrap Garrard Decks lying around. Just PM me your address details.

21st Jan 2017, 12:34 pm	#6
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please Most kind - PM sent __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

21st Jan 2017, 8:26 pm	#7
nigelr2000 Heptode Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Walsham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please Will search out the screw on Monday when I am back in the workshop

22nd Jan 2017, 9:13 pm	#8
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Mangled tonearm in a Hacker Gondolier - advice please Many thanks Nigel. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)