BSR Idler wheel - making my own

Experiments and successful demonstration of making an idler wheel for one of my BRS deck record players

[@junpantilano1]

That's why I hate turntables using idler wheels instead of belts. Replacement idler wheel doesn't seem to exist and you end up disposing your turntable just because of that.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, replacements seem few and far between, though I know some people do rebuild them using the original hub. I did find an even simpler way to make one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq7h4Oseq6rg6c For me, I can fix an idler wheel, but do need to order belts like I did in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWnbnIGOgZaVZpY (Which has a small belt, despite being direct drive) Thanks 😀 👍

[@theantiquescollector2199]

yeah. idler wheels suck. i havent even seen one which had a correct speed.

[@luismanuelbujanlopez8722]

Do you sell the part you have made, I am repairing a Wharfedale W 30 record player and do I really need a part like that?

[@mrrgstuff]

I don't, but I see you have found my 3D printed version! Thanks 😀 👍

[@darrencoe5795]

Very interesting video making your own idler. Same issue with tape recorders.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀. It was fun to do and although I could do better, I think it is good enough for the moment. Not ventured into tape recorders yet, but might if one comes my way. 😀👍

[@66skate]

Can't you just get one from Voice Of Music? BSR is a very common turntable. They should have them in stock.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, I could have bought one online, but that wouldn't have made a very interesting video. On a more serious note, within the gramophone community, there is quite a lot of reliance on buying spares or getting repairs from certain individuals, which is fine until they retire (or die 😮). Not so much of an issue for things like this, but I still like to make my own spares and repairs if I can. Thanks

[@66skate]

@@mrrgstuff I agree with you. I have a big Magnavox console going in for a recap and changer service. My repair guy is 86 and has been doing this stuff since 1957. If someone doesn't experiment, we're all gonna be SOL.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍 😀

[@tarstarkusz]

Sounds like it needs a new stylus. You may want to try the wintergreen oil trick. You can mix wintergreen oil and rubbing alcohol (but not the green rubbing alcohol, that's different) at a certain ratio (which I can look it up if you want to try it) and soak the rubber in it. It softens the rubber to like-new softness. Most importantly, is it doesn't bleed or "sweat" afterwards like brake fluid and it doesn't change the size either. I've seen it done with ROCK hard rubber and it turns it back to being soft.

[@mrrgstuff]

Those records are a bit beat up, but the stylus has had little use so should be OK. Its just a cheap ceramic flip cartridge so won't be that great anyway. I have looked up Wintergteen as I know so.e people use it as cleaning fluid. Only thing I can find in the UK with that name though is essential oil, so not sure if I can get the right stuff here. Many of the common products used in North America aren't available in the UK, and its not always easy to work out the equivalent. It's good to know though that the rubber can be restored. Another trick I thought of trying was to use a neoprene washer. Thanks 👍😀

[@tarstarkusz]

@@mrrgstuff You used to be able to get it in the drugstores, but now it is online only. You have to order it. It's like that with a lot of stuff now. I can't stand buying on the internet. I prefer to hand paper money (not a spy-card) to a person who then hands me what I want and can answer questions. So I get why you don't like having to do that either. I don't carry a cell phone either. But then, I'm a weirdo in that way. I have always loved technology and was an early adopter of internet. I bought my first computer when I was 12 years old (a Vic 20). But I'll be damned if having everything I do tracked is the price to pay for certain convenience.

[@mrrgstuff]

To be honest, I do buy a fair bit online, but I do really love digging though stuff at car boot sales/flea markets and other places, especially where I might find old records. Not so much fun buying them online, and 78s are a bit too fragile to ship 😕😉😀

[@arnaldoalves1362]

Eu não colocaria a polia bambas

[@mrrgstuff]

If I was remaking it, I would fit a brass bushing to the centre to reduce any wobble. However it does work fine as it is

[@gadgetmind]

I don't think the o-ring size is critical as whatever you lose/gain one one contact point, the other cancels out. I'm toying with 3D printing a new wheel (seems easier and more flexible than lathe) and either finding a suitable o-ring or 3D printing one out of TPU. Dunno if this would be grippy enough.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, as its an idler wheel, the diameter isn't critical, though the clearances in the mechanism are designed for a certain sized wheel so it doesn't hurt to stick fairly closely to the original size. The thickness is pretty critical though. I did also try a 3D printed one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq7h4Oseq6rg6c Thanks 😀 👍

[@jas20per]

I spent most of my apprentice years fixing record player turn tables, and in later years the idler wheel became a real problem with the replacements being harder to obtain. There is a method rejuvenating them though, first put the wheel in some near boiling water for approximately 5 minutes next while the rubber is still hot apply some "Winter Green" essential oil then massage it into the rubber. Yes I know it sounds strange but it works on all rubber producers by replacing the plasticizer that evaporates from the rubber over time.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks - that's good to know. The method I used was certainly not the simplest - but did work, although in retrospect I should have made a brass bushing for the centre of the wheel and not relied on the plastic. As it happens it has worked fine - and I have just upgraded the cartridge on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mqlK2urNGAj8U I did find another way to simply make a very usable idler wheel, though not something that could have been done back in the day: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq7h4Oseq6rg6c Thanks 😀👍

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

what app is that and where can i get it :-) p.s I think you may have a market for those idler wheels !!!!!!! Could i buy one please :-)

[@mrrgstuff]

The app is 'RPM calculator' and it's free from Google Play. There are other free ones too. I'm surprised actually nobody is really making idler wheels, although currently mine are too much effort to make and be able to sell for a reasonable price, but it is an idea 🤔. Thanks 👍😀

[@granadass]

You know you can take these idler wheels and sand them down on the outside edge and glue a black rubber band around the upper Edge

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes indeed. Thanks 😀 👍. I did try sanding it down a bit but it still slipped andat that point I though of using an o ring. Still working fine today, though it could probably do with a metal hub

[@marty-fh1rw]

I sent an idler wheel for an (then) unknown brand turntable to Russell Industries in NY for rebuilding.They are nice people.A KZbin man kindly put me onto them.

[@marty-fh1rw]

AWA-Thorn Turntable.Trawled through 100s of pictures to locate it.

[@mrrgstuff]

@marty-fh1rw Glad you found the make. I did experiment with another way to make idler wheels here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq7h4Oseq6rg6c Thanks 😀 👍

[@thegregolarecordsclub6564]

From one who owns a BSR, this is a great idea.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 Been meaning to try this for a while. Probably paid too much for this BSR, but I do have the clear plastic lid for it and as BSRs go, it's one of the better one. Was disappointed when I discovered it needed a new idler wheel, but it was fun to do and I will probably use it more now. 😀👍

[@jayclark5538]

Man I've restored over 20 bsr decks... This is clever I must say

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. I also made one on a 3D printer, which was easier to do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq7h4Oseq6rg6c If I was going to make another one, I would put a brass bushing in as the plastic hole will wear on the shaft eventually.

[@jayclark5538]

That speed app is awsome

[@mrrgstuff]

There are several similar ones. Some even do wow and flutter 😀

[@davidk6271]

Good work. Well done.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀. I think it worked out pretty well! 👍😀

[@sofiavega5223]

Nice...

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀👍

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

Another interesting project, plus that is an interesting App for the rotational speed 👍

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 Yes, it's a great app, and as long as the weight of the phone doesn't slow down the deck, it's very effective. I'm thinking of doing a video where I compare different methods of checking the speed.👍😀

[@yaboidustin2447]

When the speed wasn't right for me I put the c clip back on and it went from 33 rpm to 33⅓. If you could somehow sand the middle down on that one it would work on the first one

[@mrrgstuff]

Interesting. I wonder why the thickness in the middle would make a different like that 🤔. Thanks 👍😀