A problem with my Humminguru record cleaner - and an expected ending

[@robertschannon5104]

Thank you for describing your journey. Lo and behold, after owning my Humminguru for 6 months and 500 records cleaned it stopped a second or two after starting, having cleaned only one record before. I wrote to customer support. I quickly got a response. They sent instructions and pictures showing me what you actually did. I followed the instructions twisting the 2 black leads for the thermal switch. IT WORKED!!! I am thankful to you (subscribed) and to Humminguru’s customer support. I will return to cleaning my collection. I will wait a day or so before I responds as you had a recurring problem. Thanks so much!!

[@dawnharrell-lopez3997]

Did it stop on you again? Have you had any additional issues?

[@robertschannon5104]

I have cleaned another 350-400 records after the initial repair. No problem!!

[@grahambiggs9822]

Feel your frustration Frank… especially as it was a gift in the first place. Hope it works out for you, otherwise the company should just send you a new one!!! Keep on washin !!!!

[@PaulStewartPositivePaul]

Please definitely keep us posted. I’ve had mine for approximately six months as well. I have ran over 500 cycles without any problems. Hopefully I will not have any issues like you. Fingers crossed.

[@Channel33RPM]

I think I just had bad luck. I will report back in August!

[@Rondo2ooo]

Hi there, I could not find a pinned message. Did you post an update, that I may have missed in the comment section? How did things work out? Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!

[@ganonkenobi]

PSA- kodak advises against using photoflow on vinyl. Triton X-100 from my research is the active ingredient. I haven't tried the humminguru but have a vinyl stack ultrasonic 10L kit. I get great results, can clean 4 at a time. The only negative is the sound. I have to clean across the house from where I'm at and wear headphones when I'm around it.

[@Channel33RPM]

Good info. I will look into that. Thanks.

[@bradleykay]

Do they say what photoflow can do to vinyl?

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Tergitol is also another excellent surfactant for vinyl.. Similar to Triton X-100. I use both, but I would not use photoflow on vinyl.. Film only. 🙂

[@soundspark]

Film is a different type of plastic, right? Typically polyester these days?

[@mickricksbsc]

I use Ilford Ilfotol wetting agent in my solution. As you say, Photo-flo is certainly not recommended, as it leaves behind residue which contaminates the stylus tip.

[@DeadKoby]

Thirty some years ago, I bought a VPI 16.5 cleaning machine. It worked great. 30 years later, it still does. I like most everything about it other than the price.

[@Matasky2010]

You've had the same VPI for 30 years without problems? That's hard to believe, especially since it has a vacuum inside it.

[@Matasky2010]

And why would you care about the price if it lasted for 30 years...?

[@Yardbirds777]

Hi, interesting video. I buy a lot of 2nd hand records and I use the disco-antistat cleaning machine. It is a manual machine , much less expensive than the Hummingbird, but it really works. I was gifted my friends 1960's 45's when she died and I thought I'd try this to get them clean so that I could play them in her memory. It worked a treat and I've used it since on lp's and it works great.

[@davids.816]

I think it's unnecessary to ask people to stick around until the end of the video because your content is great and we wouldn't think otherwise! Awesome vid, Frank

[@jamesmoore5469]

I have had a project record cleaner for several years and was worth every penny. It is loud, but it cleans and simultaneously drys my records in seconds. After using it I’ve never had any issues with static afterwards. If you have lots of vinyl, this is a perfect machine for you.

[@thetubesrock]

Great video Frank. Here's hoping the new board is a total fix. I'll be watching!!!

[@Channel33RPM]

Me too!

[@dawnpatrol700]

20 thousand record owner and I've never owned any cleaning machines. My process varies slightly depending on the record condition, but it's simple and cheap. I have too many gadgets as it is

[@zenboy863]

Would you be willing to share your cleaning process?

[@mikekuhn214]

@@zenboy863 Very dirty records, clean bare hands kitchen sink with Luke warm water and Ajax dish soap and dry with cotton towel. For records not as dirty, or new or valuable, I use the HumminGuru 2 washes. First wash/dry I use Distilled water and Tergikleen (Surfactant) and second wash/dry I use only distilled water. I have 2 water tanks, one for distilled water/ Tergikleen and the other for just distilled water. Works ok but want to try out thx Degritter but their price just went up from $3000 to now $3280. How much more r they going 2 go up?

[@mikekuhn214]

Forgot my pre clean method b4 putting a record in the HumminGuru is to take a makeup brush and spray it with distilled water and go around the record and pick up the dust from the record. This helps

[@dawnpatrol700]

@@zenboy863 I put a towel on the kitchen counter. I first inspect record to know how hard to wipe. If the record is practically mint, I will just brush it under good light with anti- static fluid pre-applied to my record brush. Look for specks of dust that have adhered themselves to the vinyl and remove carefully with fingernail. If it's a normal used record with a couple hairline scratches and fingerprints, I wipe it soft in circular motion with a slightly damp paper towel folded up to a 2inch square, with the tiniest dab of dish detergent, avoiding the center label. If you press hard, a paper towel will leave hairline scuffs. If the record is very scratched, it doesn't matter, cause you're just trying to get all the gunk off so it will play. Then I have a 2nd turntable specifically for run-through ( not to listen, but to just play silent and get any soap residue and dirt out of the grooves). I wipe constantly with my anti-static brush, to keep the record from accumulating more soap, and brush the stylus too, sometimes it will accumulate soap. I run-through and wipe it twice and by that point, all the soap residue and dirt has been lifted out of the grooves

[@ettoredivirgilius8789]

Frank: I went with the DIY approach. Purchased a light commercial ultrasonic cleaner, The Vinyl Stack Sonic Spin Kit, and the Record Doctor V vacuum machine. I make my own record cleaning solution, air dry after vacuum, then finish with a Zerostat gun. Super dirty records get a pre-clean ( I like MoFi Super Deep cleaner) then the Ultrasonic bath. The LPs get placed in an anti-static sleeve and after many years, they’re static free and very clean. Sounds like a lot, but it’s a hobby and the results are comparable with those $$$$$ machines. The Record Doctor V does get hot if you’re doing a batch of records, so I asked Santa for a second Record Doctor V and now I can alternate when cleaning more than 5 records. I think many use some of the same steps as I described anyway as part of their cleaning routine. My 2 cents…. Rock On! 🤘

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Same here.. Pretty much my setup. Made my own rotational assembly though, but I have maybe a couple hundred bucks into it and get excellent results.

[@vinyladventures]

I use a Pro-Ject VC-S and love it. I get great results with it. The only thing I don’t really like about it is that the accessories are on the expensive side.

[@robertwoodward9231]

My record guy has one that cleans very well. 80$ It is manual but so what, everything is mostly manual when picking and putting on the TT etc. etc. Clean n Rock..

[@matthewtaylor7355]

Replacement mohair brush aliexpress 4.50 gbp... Project version 25gbp

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

Wow Frank!! What a golden opportunity!! Frank's Humminguru Repair Center!! 🎸🎸🎸

[@Channel33RPM]

Canadian division 😀

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

@@Channel33RPM North America Division!! From San Diego CA to Goose Bay Labrador and in-between!!

[@edreid7872]

Old School when vinyl and 8 tracks were your options, cotton balls and rubbing alcohol for your albums and 45s...

[@jobarrios]

Hopefully you will be able to fix it, I will stick to my Spin Clean for now, good luck and as always, thanks for the video!

[@dawnharrell-lopez3997]

This video has helped me tremendously! I was going to return the Record Doctor X to go with my initial choice, a HummingGuru! But after this video, I guess I’ll keep my damn near $700 (after taxes) RecordDoctor. I wanted ease of use with less steps. But I can’t afford to purchase a device that’s going to fail within months because I’m not interested in doing self maintenance (I used to build computers). After doing the research (and asking on Reddit), I feel like there is no alternative cleaner, well, at least one that isn’t going to cost me thousands. Well, thank you for this video. I guess I’ll figure it out. Be Blessed!

[@mikeschumacher9715]

WAIT, toy manufacturer, Hong Kong, China, and you expected this to last? Glad you are getting a replacement.

[@realrocksavage]

Frank, for close to $500, it should work better than that!! I use the old school brush ( like the one you have) and record cleaning fluid!! That works just fine!!

[@mickricksbsc]

I bought the Groove Washer pack with the walnut stand after reading so many great reviews about it. And I can't express how disappointed I am with the results. Brand new, uncleaned discs sound better than they do after using Groove Washer.

[@QoraxAudio]

Well, it's quite something that they let you repair it and even gave you some instructions! Most manufacturers don't want you to repair your stuff these days.

[@wheatthicks]

They had him bypass the component meant to turn the machine off if the water gets too hot. And then were just going to let him keep using it like that. With bare wires inside. There’s a reason other companies don’t do that.

[@davidbailey6350]

Glad to hear the Co. was responsive with trying a fix, and now they’re sending you a new PCB… Things Happen and I hope it’ll all turn out for the good…. Thanks Frank…..

[@Channel33RPM]

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. In the meantime, I am getting a pretty good lesson in repairing HGs 😀

[@Dr.523-u7f]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my experience with the HumminGuru record cleaner that I purchased from Amazon in the USA. After cleaning around 3000 records, I can confidently say that this machine is fantastic! It has been incredibly effective in removing dirt, dust, and grime from my vinyl collection, leaving them sounding cleaner and more enjoyable to listen to. One of the standout features of the HumminGuru record cleaner is its reliability. Throughout the entire cleaning process, I didn't encounter any issues or malfunctions. The machine operated smoothly and efficiently, making the cleaning process a breeze. The build quality of the HumminGuru record cleaner is also impressive. It feels sturdy and well-made, ensuring durability for long-term use. The design is sleek and compact, making it easy to store and transport if needed. Another aspect worth mentioning is the ease of use. The instructions provided were clear and straightforward, allowing me to set up and start cleaning my records without any hassle. The cleaning process itself was quick, and I appreciated the automatic features that made it even more convenient. Overall, I highly recommend the HumminGuru record cleaner to any vinyl enthusiasts out there. It's reliable, effective, and user-friendly, making it a valuable addition to any record cleaning routine. Feel free to ask me any questions about my experience with the machine! Link Here!! www.amazon.com/HumminGuru-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Professional-Cleaning-Warranty/dp/B0BHSFHGF4?maas=maas_adg_8B84F70DBC077665A6C7F923C20D0640_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

[@Unpreeeedictable]

I’ve cleaned a couple hundred records since getting my HG in December, 2021. It replaced a DIY ultrasonic tank system. I actually have genuine questions regarding how well the HG works for the simple reason that I just changed the filter for the first time and it wasn’t really dirty at all. In contrast, the DIY US water would get filthy after a short period, with lots of particulate matter floating around. So it’s quite possible the HG does nothing more than wet the records, with no cavitation at all.

[@Channel33RPM]

Interesting observation. I will take note of this.

[@richardanderson1484]

Again Frank thanks for a great video. I've been kind of wanting to buy one but I looked online and everything's in the Hong Kong dollar and custom charges and shipping costs seem to be kind of expensive. I use the Squeaky Clean vinyl cleaner. It's made by a guy named Nick and he also lives in Canada and I've used this system for at least a couple years and I'm very happy with that. Also that was a great video your daughter did on that turntable.

[@aaronslibrary7745]

I've been using the same for about 3 years. The system works quite well for cleaning records. I do mine in 2 stages. I clean the records first, vacuum and then rinse and vacuum.

[@spda242]

I hope they do a more powerful v2 which solves the issues people have, it must be possible to make a good ultrasound rcm cheaper than degritter

[@ecyfoto]

Exactly. I just left a similar comment.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Make your own! That's what I did.. I have maybe 200-250 into it at the very most.

[@mickricksbsc]

@@R3TR0R4V3 Me too. And I made my own vacuum dry system as well using an old turntable. My method is pre-clean, wet-clean, dry, rinse, then dry again. I don't think even the big bucks machines would be as thorough as this.

[@davidcurry8440]

I’m disappointed to hear about your issues with the HG. I purchased mine during the kickstarter and have only had one issue, which was what you reported with the record not spinning. I used the tool and removed the rollers and used a can of air to blow the rollers clean and have not had an issue since. I also purchased the $20 extras which included extra rollers (which I’ve not had to use) and extra filters which I’ve replaced 2 so far. I typically clean a record while playing one so no over heating issues with the unit for me. Before going through board replacement I would try a can of air on the rollers since it would take less time. Surprised the HG Support team didn’t recommend that first. But in their defense since also do application support, occasionally you get trapped in thinking something is bigger than it really is. Good luck and I hope you are able to correct the issue.

[@false_binary]

Subscribed! Great vid and looking forward to watching the board replacement video next. One month in I am experiencing positive results with the Humminguru and Tergikleen and then a second cycle with just distilled water.

[@AverageJoeVinyl]

Great video, Frank. I've been considering getting one of these, and this will be great to keep in mind. I might end up getting a vacuum system instead of an ultrasonic cleaner. Looking forward to hearing how you make out with the new board.

[@davidstanton1261]

Great video! Thank you, very clear and informative! I'm looking forward to the final reveal...Trick or Treat🎃

[@Rockoli]

Man, I really had high hopes the HumminGuru. Such a bummer that you (and others) have had such a hard time with the device. Hopefully you are able to get it resolved. It is good to know that the customer service is easy to work with though. Hope you are doing well, Frank!

[@royrice6060]

I’ll be sticking with the tried and true. Water/alcohol and microfiber. Works every time. Always has and always will. 👍

[@johnreuter4916]

I use a standard 6L ultrasonic cleaner for $80, a rotating electric spindle that holds up to 7 albums and costs about $180 and is mounted on the side of the cleaner and a $30 tube of Tergitol for a grand total of about $300. Been using it for a year and a half and I have cleaned over 3000 records with it. Cheap, efficient and if anything breaks eventually it will be easy to replace. The spindle came with a drying rack. I use warm water and the Surfactant and the rack holds about 30 records while they dry. The spindle kit is readily available on eBay etc. Mine has run for hundreds of hours with zero problems. They come with spacers to separate the records and protect the labels. My records sound better than they ever have. There were thousands of tiny paper shards in the grooves from the paper sleeves that had deteriorated over the years, so small you can barely see them, but they come right off in the Ultrasonic cleaner, which I drain and refill every few batches of records. The Ultrasonic has a heater and a thermostat so you can control the temp. I clean my records at about 35 to 40C. Works like a charm. If a record has finger prints or other sticky stuff then a scrub with a paint edger and warm water before the cleaner loosens the crud. Low price, cleans multiple records at once and great results. I settled on doing 4 at a time so there was a little more space for the water to circulate.

[@johnreuter4916]

I should mention that I replaced the crappy old sleeves with new plastic lined sleeves so as to not contaminate the records all over again with the fine paper dust. That is the real reason most records start to sound lousy over time and you can't see the dust with your eye so you think your record is clean when it is not. I was blown away by the difference. I have records that I thought were damaged years ago and now they sound nearly new. So, if you can't see significant scratches and your records don't sound the way they should I guarantee it is the paper dust if you haven't replaced the sleeves and cleaned the records.

[@janvan5872]

I have also the HG from a free weeks ago, and I am really happy with it, but I would like to know how this thread ends. Please keep us informed. Thanks a lot for your nice work

[@Channel33RPM]

I will report back in August.

[@jdthompson5778]

I think a product costing a few hundred dollars that fails after just 5 months should be their problem to replace with a new one that works. I don’t want to spend $3000 for a high quality ultrasonic machine made for records … so for around $1000 I like the quality and long-lasting VPI 16.5 to clean my records. It does a fantastic job! Better than any ultrasonic under 3k in my opinion. I paid only $800 for mine last summer and now I see they are over $1000. They are made in the USA by VPI - a company that knows records and is all about quality. I expect my “tank” to last at least 20 years!

[@mickricksbsc]

I think Frank has really slipped up with this, by agreeing to carry out repairs himself. Especially one with the potential to cause serious harm. And it really doesn't look good for the manufacturer.

[@705johnnyboy]

ive recently purchased a vevor ultrasonic on ebay it really works amazingly well.....

[@daleromney6062]

The temp sensor is because the ultrasonic transducers heat the water. After the water becomes too hot it can damage the record or the cleaner itself. So, as a long term repair, bypassing the thermal sensor would seem to be a bad idea. So your using cold water should not have been the problem. Also, when replacing the PCB (printed circuit board), repair the black wires and untwist them. You can fix them with simple electrical tape. Good luck with this. I have a much much more expensive US cleaner that also works well, and has been pretty reliable but I have had to replace the water pump once. Feel your pain.

[@TarylFixesAll]

Any update on how this worked out?

[@ellischernoff8603]

So far, mine works fine. I use room temp distilled water and no additives. I run a long wash only cycle followed by the long automatic cycle. My records are basically not dirty but this machine does really clean and dry them and there is sonic improvement.

[@tristiangallegos4561]

thank you for documenting your journey with this machine as I had considered this as an option for me. as a blind user, I am not particularly savvy in the realm of taking things apart to diagnose issues like that, so this would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I have heard audio examples of ultrasonic vinyl cleaning and someday aspire to get some sort of contraption that will work.

[@SkyGuysQuest]

At that point I would ask for a whole new one. Just backed a vinyl sonic Kickstarter, hope it works out

[@AROD-oz6xp]

Good luck....we'll wait for chapter 2. Keep rocking brother 🤘

[@Channel33RPM]

Thanks man! I will report back next month on this one.

[@VMX1.]

Excellent Vid Frank. Very informative....Thanks a bunch...Be safe.

[@LifelongMusicJunkie]

I just ordered the Humminguru but I wish I watched this first!! Doh! Maybe mine will be fine and I could not justify a Degritter

[@astolatpere11]

I use a Nitty Gritty vacuum cleaning machine that I've had at least 20 years and it works great.

[@puciohenzap891]

I would never bypass the thermal switch, I have the degritter and the water does get pretty warm, thankfully the degritter has an auto-cooldown feature that will pause the cycle and cool the water, it also does that after the cycle. Did 15 consecutive runs - zero issues.

[@mrpositronia]

Thanks Frank. Hmm... I wonder how it compares to the Degritter. I wish I had the spare money to buy one of those. :)

[@TJRtheOriginal]

I appreciate your complete honesty in this video about the situation and how you are giving them every chance to make good first. If this had been me I would have been nervous about doing the self repair work too. I would imagine if you had told them “No. I am not comfortable doing the self repair work", they would have told you to send it to them. I can also see where agreeing to doing the self repair work saves a lot of time and hassle for both of you. I would have made the same decision in the same situation. I have been thinking about getting one of these and I will be interested in seeing how this turns out. I feel confident that that whatever happens the company will make good in the end. I enjoy your channel and I will stay tuned for the next chapter. :) Take care TJ

[@Channel33RPM]

It was a weird video to do. It was shot, done and edited, when the machine failed a second time. So I had to shoot a new intro and a new ending.

[@Uzaren]

Hו! Can you make a video on how to open it? I unscrewed 4 screws, but something is holding it in the middle. My dryer on one side stopped working

[@homerjones3291]

Don't know how this compares with a Pro-Ject VC vacuum machine, but I can clean records all the live-long day with mine and it only takes about a minute to do both sides, and it has a whole lot less electronics to fail.

[@joebroeckel4120]

I honestly think there will be hiccups with these units as they are a relatively new product I’m sure as time progresses they will become more reliable I myself have just purchased one of these units and only have used a couple of times seems to be ok but I also have a Okki Nokki record cleaner so might just do the Okki Nokki to start and the HumminGuru as a finish clean I was a little confused about why you would keep your distilled water in the fridge but hey each to there own and could be the source of your original problem. Best of luck to you with your repair and hope it works thanks for your video it was very informative

[@ecyfoto]

Here’s the deal. If this thing were built better with quality components and yield consistently good results it could have had a price of $1000. It would have sold. Still no competitor at that price. I sooooo wanted one but waited.

[@matthewtaylor7355]

If Degritter weren't money grubbing twats the Degritter wud b 4 or 500 gbp

[@gingernutpreacher]

Glad you said add sulfactent technomoan says not but water surface tension is just to much other wise

[@CameronLyle1913]

Hey Frank! Love the content you have been putting out recently. I feel like whenever I have any record questions that I search on KZbin you are the top result and also my most trusted source as well! Thank you for everything you do for the vinyl community! Also one final question, do you have your collection in discogs? If so was wondering if it was visible to everyone, was wanting to send you something but not it you already have it! Thanks!

[@Channel33RPM]

Thanks! I'm glad you dig the videos. I do not have my collection cataloged on Discogs (I wish I did - but it's too much work at this point). No need to send anything! Cheers

[@journey062267]

I hope everything works out for you. But I think I'm going to stick with my VPI record cleaning machine.

[@jdthompson5778]

Same here Craig Wheeler! VPI Rocks!

[@rogerdjs]

I purchased a HumminGuru cleaner and a Vevor ultra Sonic Cleaner both On Amazon. Used them both and kept the Vevor. In the end I saved about 250.00 returning the Hummin Guru as it did not perform any better than the Vevor to warrent the extra 250 dollars. Plus I can clean 8 albums at a time...

[@mikefinney423]

I got one of these HG units via the Kickstarter campaign last year. It definitely works and meets my reasonable level of expectations for a $400 machine. Have had no problems. But I thought that adding anything to the distilled water was supposed to void the warranty. Regarding the temperature switch failure, I've cleaned more than 5 albums In a row. But by the time I check the record for any leftover moisture, sleeve it and pull out the next record to clean, I've never felt that the water that is pumped out into the tank is noticeably any warmer to the touch than the room temp water I had poured in. On a side note...on a couple of instances, I did notice that it had a little trouble with uninterrupted rotation of very thin vinyl pressings (i.e. some (not all) RCA Dynagroove pressings). But that happened in less than 1% of the records I cleaned. Once I re-seated the album a couple of times on the rollers, it began rotating fine.

[@Channel33RPM]

Correct. I would have voided the warranty.

[@fightingirishman77]

That is the only problem I've had with my unit so far. Knock on wood that happens to it.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

At least they did respond to you. Classic - shorting out the switch. Basically, the switch will always remain closed....apparently normal operation is when things got too hot or too cold - the switch opens...until the temperature equalizes and then the switch closes. For now, their fix is to have it remain closed. So the wires do not come apart , you might want to get some electrical tape and place it around the "twist". Also, you may want to do this so the bare wire "twist" does not come in contact with any other metal (if it does, this is known as a "short"). In the meantime, I recommend the Ronco Record Cleaner....just kidding....there actually was a device once advertised like this in the late 70's-early 80's.....and it kind of works like your Hummingthingy......

[@markfx12]

"Don't clean more than 5 records?" Are they serious? This would be a major deal breaker for me. Imagine spending $650 CAD yourself and then having this issue. And are you not worried that the tank might leak and damage your guitar amplifier?

[@BlakieFaeBuckie]

no chance of it leaking 🤷🏼‍♂

[@varsityathlete9927]

the water gets heated. it will eventually get to a temp that wraps records. so you need to either let it cool or replace the water.

[@FORMATFIZIKAL]

its not a Humminguru issue. Its usual running time for ultrasonic

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Just as long as it doesn't go over 30-35°C.. LP's will start to warp after that.

[@soundspark]

Apparently the threshold is about 60°C.

[@andresypaolaguzman202]

Hi. I participate in the kickstarter campaign and I got my device in Chile. It worked as expected for many months but now the records does nit rotate (any record). Sometimes in the past one or two did not rotate but now the issue is with all of them. The machine seems to operate as I can see the bubles in the water as well as the typical sound on operation. I did change the rotation wheels to see if that was the issue but it did not work. I will contact the company.

[@ChristianCousineau]

I was interrested in this machine but I found Squeaky Clean Vinyl MK-III RCM 3D Printed Record Cleaner was a better fit to replace my Spin Clean. Plus its made in Canada!! :)

[@jonathansilva9848]

I also use the Squeaky Clean MK 2 :)

[@jimb2416]

How do you like the Squeaky clean? I've been thinking of upgrading my cleaning to this type of unit..... either a Vinylvac or Vinylbug or a Squeaky Clean.

[@ChristianCousineau]

@@jimb2416 I love it so much that I never wanted to go back to my spin clean. My only issue is the noise of the vaccum it self

[@vinylrecordplayer]

That is an awful lot of mechanical work on a unit that's only 6 months old and not very heavily used. Best of luck, Frank - you have far more patience than I do!

[@Channel33RPM]

I wanna ride it out and see how it ends... 😀

[@vinylrecordplayer]

@@Channel33RPM I feel you on that. Not the cheapest unit, so might as well do what you can!

[@retromusings]

Great helpful video. Thanks!

[@catdeli]

I recently had hundreds and hundreds of records to clean before selling them and I used my Spin Clean for that where I could knock off 40 or so a day in a couple hours. These ultra cleaners go so slooooow that it’s just unusable for any serious cleaning. Now I spin them a few times both ways, let drip in a dishrack then lay on a towel and finish drying with microfiber cloths and it’s done.

[@stanleycostello9610]

Right you are. I've had my Spin-Clean for years and it still works fine.

[@diegohowe3081]

Hello, how are you? One question: do you know how many RPMs the micro gear has that spins the disk?

[@Channel33RPM]

I do not.

[@jerryking7502]

Hey, Frank if you want to save a little money, use Jet Dry...Same thing, and a lot cheaper...

[@RangerLaila]

How did your machine behave when it stopped working? I just encountered a problem with my Humminguru, which became completely unresponsive during a cleaning cycle. None of the lights on the machine is on or blinking, but the green light on the psu is blinking. If I unplug the cable from the machine the light on the psu turns solid green. As you didn't mention how yout machine failed, I was curious if you experienced the same problem as me? I have reached out to customer support and hopefully they will be able to sort out the problem.

[@rusrus555]

Hi Frank! Golden Hands!))

[@oldskool1979]

Been using my spin clean for 10 years... no issues.

[@varsityathlete9927]

rollers will eventually go on them, but its easy to replace. the pads too eventually are worth replacing. cleaned 1000s of records on the spin clean, after that we ultrasonic. spin clean is a good cleaner for 90% of people and definitely gets a lot off to improve sound quality.

[@pascalhibon7928]

I almost backed this project but figured that there might be a chance that I would have to pay duty & customs on top of the purchase price. I'm glad I didn't backed the project and went a different route. It is easy enough to buy a cheap 6 liter ultrasonic cleaner off Amazon. With a little bit of DIY you can build a record holder driven buy a motor to slowly spin the record in the tank. Works great. I'm just amazed how expensive products like the degritter are. In the end ultrasonic cleaning machines are not rocket science. They are all a bit overpriced in my opinion.

[@paulc5358]

About 3-1/2 years ago I got the Project Vc-s record cleaning machine I loved it but after 4 month it sounded louder than a jet taking off!! So I emailed the company and they told me to send it back and they gave me an upgrade the VC-e machine. This machine was a lot smaller there were a lot of things I liked & didn't like about it. I liked it because it was smaller, But, the record hangs off the side & the drain hole is directly under the record so when you clean one side then flip it over to clean the other side the side you just cleaned is all wet?? Granted they give you a plastic flex disk to put underneath the record, I bought this because it grabs only on the label which is what I like. Well 1 year later again this new upgrade is sounding like the old one. Again I wrote to the company & they told me to send it back & they gave me a new one. So the new machine instruction's say to run the vacuum 15-40 seconds after you're done to ensure all the water is off the motor because it will Rust. To solve 1 problem I put some Rust-Oleum down the hole where the fluid goes & ran the machine for 30 seconds to move the paint around. I don't do a 2nd rinsing when I'm done with just reverse osmosis water anymore (I think that was the culprit!) I just let the machine spin in both directions for 8-10 times. I also have an ultrasonic machine that I clean up to about 4 record at a clip and that seems to work better than the project machine that I'm using but I love them both . I just don't know why they don't get it right??? It's hard to chose the project is quicker but you can only do 1 record at a time & the ultrasonic machine you can do up to 6-7 records (I do only 4 more space between the records) & takes a bit longer depends on how long you put it in there for + your drying time. I just think the whole vinyl crave thing that has been going on the last couple years everybody want's to jump in on the Clean you records bandwagon to make a few bucks!! For my Project machine I use reverse osmosis water mixing it with L'art du son & for the ultrasonic machine I use reverse osmosis water &a cap full of photo flow That is all in my humble opinion.

[@mertonnephake]

Do you clean the records with pure water to get rid of the Photo Flo from the surface then? Actually, I thought that it might not matter, however, I read that the surfactant Photo Flo, Tergikleen, Turgitol, etc. must be completely washed off the record and that it leaves a kind of residue.

[@figuresix]

I have question for you.. I have quite a few albums still sealed and am putting them in sleeves. but my question is since they are still sealed in shrink wrap should I not worry about sleeves? I know I know why keep them sealed instead of listening to them.. Well thats because I have doubles of many of my records.. So keeping one sealed is option I would like to keep.. Thanks hope you can answer my question.

[@showstopperrob1097]

Hi Frank, do they know you have this channel and put this on here at KZbin?

[@Channel33RPM]

No, I did not want to play that card. I told them I got it for a gift last Christmas, I have no receipt or order number, and it is not functioning correctly (all true).

[@davestevenson2181]

You mentioned static. I have always been taught that if you open up a PC or equivalent then you need to wear an anti-static wristband to dissipate any static in your body which could damage sensitive components.

[@davidstanton1261]

Hey Dave, do you have a wristband that you recommend??

[@davestevenson2181]

@@davidstanton1261 I bought mine several years ago. My only recommendation is that you buy one - there are plenty on Amazon - that has a reasonably long cord. It seems most of them are now 6 feet.

[@davidstanton1261]

@@davestevenson2181 Thanks Dave, so I need one with a cord...I'm just learning so thanks

[@cosmickatamari]

6:40 so basically you just short circuited the sensor. I'm not having good luck with my HumminGuru and older records at all. Newer records, under 10-20 years is usually no problem. I bought 1970s version of "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Rumors." Cleaned them both multiple times on the long clean and dry with the HumminGuru Anti-Static Vinyl Record Cleaning Agent. The records look very clean and nearly new now, but they still have cracking and popping noises all over the place. Filters are clean as well. Also, whenever I look at the water tank, it's basically the same as when I put it in there. I'm using fresh distilled water, 3 drops of the cleaning agent. Even did 2 long wet clean cycles, followed by a long wet clean and dry combo cycle. I can't afford a degritter and was hoping this would have been the solution.

[@Aurisda]

As I watch your video, I can visually see you are not using enough surfactant. Water should not bead, streak or appear inconsistent on the record, but instead should appear as an even coating across the entire surface. I use hepistat which also acts as a deionizer and I have zero static after washings. Even after storing in poly, I’ve pulled washed records out and the static is well controlled. Good luck with the new board.

[@ganonkenobi]

I agree with you about the water beading for sure. I use a combo of triton x-100, ilfotol and hepastat 265 in my Ultrasonic unit. On the side it enters the water, it will actually Creep up and fill the grooves before hitting the surface and on the other side the layer of water is so thin it looks dry. It also runs a lot slower, a little less than one rpm.

[@franklittle6398]

hello, I use mine quite often and my record never looks wet on the top half that's exposed. I notice yours is and others on KZbin as well. what could be causing this? I also don't really see much activity in the way of bubbles or vibration in the chamber while the machine is active? everything sounds like its working and I've been moderately happy with the results. is this ok or is mine faulty?

[@koprcord5338]

Guess I'll stick with my $3 homemade vinyl vac knockoff. Labor intensive compared to an auto machine, but works well and does the job every time.

[@edgargeog]

My HumminGuru dont Dry one of sides from the vinyls! Someone have this problem? How we can fix this?

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Definitely do not use cold water straight out of the fridge.. Room temperature distilled water only. Warm water would be better, but not over 95°. Hopefully the PCB sets you straight though. At least it was a gift and you're not really out any money. 👍

[@georgeprice4212]

Is that a 6505 guitar head next to the cleaning machine?

[@Channel33RPM]

The mini version

[@georgeprice4212]

Cool.

[@markkasick]

You're being a lot more kind than I would. Put a new board in? Think I'm the Maytag man?

[@Channel33RPM]

I kinda wanna see where this takes me...

[@jdthompson5778]

Be careful - by bypassing the thermal switch the water (that shuts off when it overheats the water) could get way too hot for vinyl as many of these lower priced units do. Also they can put too high pressure on record surface or two low (resulting in a not so great cleaning). I think it’s crazy they are trying to patch a fix together. I wouldn’t trust it will work for long as it seems it’s not HQ to start with. I’d ask for a refund if it were me. I’m not sure it’s really even safe for your records.

[@jdthompson5778]

@@magog6852 I am pretty sure I know a lot more than you! Cheap re-purposed for records ultrasonics can indeed damage records in multiple ways! I’ve sadly seen it many times. If you can afford a $3k or more ultrasonic it can be great esp for more commercial use. For me with my large home vinyl collection I’ll use a VPI professional vacuum cleaner every single time over a sub $2000 ultrasonic. For one it cleans records much much better and two it doesn’t damage them in any way! Half the price of a good ultrasonic. A spin clean and a vinyl vac work best (and don’t do damage) for low budgets based on my experience. Would not waste $300, $500 or $1000 on a cheap generic ultrasound on my valuable record collection. If you want to - go for it and I wish you the best!

[@ThiKu]

Could the issue be not just water is too cold but also adding surfactant?

[@Channel33RPM]

Could be. At the very least, using anything but water voids the warranty.

[@TheNorliss]

HumminGuru, is it you? HumminGuru, is it you? Sitting there blowing out hot air....

[@douglasallen9428]

Typically I use a soft, non-abrasive cleaning cloth and 91% isopropyl alcohol to clean my albums and 45s… although I occasionally use a record brush to clean and dust off my records.

[@gimphandjeff]

Dang. Looks like I’m gonna pass on this for now. Can’t wait for your update!

[@Channel33RPM]

I'll report back next month

[@williamchandlee7790]

I'm sorry but for a machine you pay that much and they have all these restrictions not worth it but another great video and thank you keep us informed keep on spinning 🤘😛

[@landonpraught9170]

Great video thanks for the info

[@EddyTeetree]

Rubbing alcohol is corrosive to vinyl. Need to water it down. You still gotta make sure there’s no dust or your gonna get sludge in the grooves. The Humming guru doesn’t even get into those grooves coz the sonic bubbles are too large. It a cheap pretty useless machine but it does look good. In between that and a Degritter is the Knosti Ultrasonic. I’ve just cleaned 250+ flood damaged vinyl records with the Knosti over the course of two weeks @ 30 records per session (you trade auto drying for the price). The few I’ve tested look and play like new and I’m talking about records where you could see the mud lines, had paper bits from the labels stuck to them and attracted flies from the stench. So that’s my recommendation. Although if I were Elon Musk I’d have gone with an Audio Desk System X. Actually if I were as wealthy as Elon I would have bought two!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

Ultrasonic cleaners do work but I don't use one anymore. I have a different manual method that is so much faster and just as good . One of the most important things to use regardless of cleaning methods.. next to how you 'clean' the record is the surfactant. One can make the best surfactant for pennies to the gallon and the product to use is found in any hardward or grocery store. I'm not going to give the item away as it's my trade secret. If you educate yourself about surfactants you can figure something out instead of the expensive chemical photoflo .

[@Innersensefr]

99% of my vinyls collection is still sealed / mint or unplayed. So my question is : is it worth the price to clean 'new' vinyls as the power is only 20hz I think. Is it enough ? Thanks for the reply. Best.

[@iancameron1495]

I see no reason to object to having your short the wires around the temp sensor as a troubleshooting step to see if that is the issue, but I would hope they would then send you a replacement sensor if that was the issue. My one issue with what they had you do is that they didn't have you wrap the twisted wires with tape or some other insulator. If that touches any of the contacts for other electronic parts it could cause real damage or even create a fire hazard! It is possible the second failure was caused by the uninsulated wire. NEVER leave uninsulated wires loose in any piece of electronics because it is just asking for trouble!

[@Channel33RPM]

Could be. I followed the directions exactly as presented.

[@iancameron1495]

@@Channel33RPM it seems unlikely that the bare wire caused the second failure (it looked like it was away from other things to contact), but it's still possible. I'm just glad you were following their instructions because then it's their problem to fix. I'm more concerned for the person who watches this because they are beyond the warranty period. If anyone is going to try shorting out the sensor like this, please tape it up for safety.

[@jdthompson5778]

To be honest I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting my valuable records in this machine.

[@raggeragnar]

Hello Frank ! Cleaning machines/methods is a jungle. If you have bad luck , even with a high ranked machine , you might get what we in Sweden call a ”Monday-version”. I’ll just stick with the ultra slow and tedious process of hand cleaning the oldfashioned way.

[@Channel33RPM]

Monday version. Good term.

[@marcbergeron8690]

Honestly I don't understand why people inflict themselves so much trouble in order to clean vinyls. I own vinyls from the 60's and have inherited some of my father from the 50's. All of them sound as they sounded when they were bought. If they were bad at the time of acquisiton, they still are as bad and there is little you can do. For the majority it's perfect or almost. Apart from some big scratches that are unremovable. Sometimes I suspect that labels have used matrices that already contained scratches and bad dust, and poor sounding copies too. Once again the harm is permanent and there's nothing to do. Most often, just to play once is enough to remove the worst of dirt without damaging the stylus. But for the majority, they sound pretty well the first time they are played since decades of inactivity I have kept them in decent storage condition but not excessively ideal. If clean needs to be done, which is rare, just wash them in tepid water under the faucet with some dishwater detergent then rinse them, still under the faucet. Avoid to have water on the label: some ink can rub off. You don't want this. Dry them with one or many glasses cloth(es). Do not allow water to evaporate if possible, as water can contain minerals that would adhere to the record (which is barely perceptible but certainly unwanted).

[@eddyrocks]

It's not often these days that a company recommends, let alone aids in self repairs. very interesting.

[@VinylRescue]

Sound like fun!

[@Channel33RPM]

Fun... not sure. But always interesting.

[@BlakieFaeBuckie]

that's a shame , mine has never missed a beat great machine i also use 1 drop of G-Sonic Ultrasonic Concentrate , mine is the (Mk2) second batch. least the CS is good i guess 🥴

[@Channel33RPM]

CS is quick to respond.

[@theyuwipi1209]

A company that size is going to nickel and dime you to death with sending you parts?? Never understood why they stooped to a kickstarter campaign to begin with. I admire your patience. Although I do not have it the Kirmuss machine also is sensitive to heat generation. I just cannot rationalize coughing up $3k plus for the Degritter. Maybe someday. First time to comment, but always enjoy the vids.

[@Channel33RPM]

At the very least, it makes for interesting videos. And I learn something in the process.

[@SwingingCreeper]

Why is the Degritter $3k? Is it made of gold? A decent ultrasonic cleaner is like $100.

[@marantzdantz9685]

I've been waiting for the next generation of the Humminguru or at least several more production years. New electronic product always hits the market buggy. Look at the Xboxes for example.