Technics 1200/1210 tonearm anti-skate calibration

In this video I show you how to calibrate the anti-skate on a technics 1200/1210. Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe to my Facebook page @DeckTech for more info on servicing, modifications and costs.

[@greg20152015]

First of all, thank you for demonstrating this. Everyone wants to keep it a secret to make money.. 2nd of all I love the technique of rotating the screw backwards when reseating it into the threads until you hear the click.. I see alot of people who just initially turn the screw right, not realizing its actually cutting new threads into the plastic or even metal... Good technics!! (pun intended)

[@repus1386]

having an issue on my MK2 1200. that being I'm getting no effect from my anti skate. thank you so much for explaining this. this is going to be a big hope (i hope) in fixing my deck

[@rtm00x]

Thanks for posting this. You're doing good work in keeping these alive and sharing the knowledge on how to do so with others.

[@BlueSky...]

Fantastic video. The anti-skate mystery is solved for me!

[@rsanchez7111]

Thank you for sharing all this great information. And thanks for making this type of videos 👍

[@fredfoxuk]

Excellent video!

[@dennismatana8802]

Thanks mate! Good video

[@Andrewbud21]

Hello from Tetris! Got an ad for this on the app.

[@kevinatkab5219]

in older decks, an additional test must be done to ensure accuracy. The spring stretches some over time. So, once you set the spring for the first time, you need to take a small screwdriver and try to move the spring away from the arm lever. often you will find you can move it a lot, and you need to reset the gears so that when the spring touches the arm lever there is no reverse play.

[@pompeyjim]

How do you go about resetting the gears? I think I may have this problem as mine is calibrated correctly but still not strong enough ps. I installed your tonearm wires.... Excellent upgrade.

[@kevinatkab5219]

@@pompeyjim he shows the procedure in the video. It is involved to do after all the rewiring has been done. do an arm friction test, your problem may be in the bearings.

[@romsyam]

Hi Adam. What happens to these springs? Do the cogs slip or something? Got a mk5 that I cant get tone arm to stay in the centre. Always tries to move outwards. Is it just a case of doing in this vid. or might it be something else? ta

[@decktech9684]

It could be a number of things causing it to track away from the centre, but recalibrating the tonearm base would be best to check if all else fails, I'd start by zeroing the balance on the arm with the needle and cart in place and the tracking force at 0, then check if the arm pulls toward the centre whilst floating, it should and if tracking force is set to 3 it should come back to the arm rest. If that's all ok add the weight for the cart and needle and adjust the height adjustment and tracking force to suit, if it still pulls back check the needle and then if that's ok check the return spring calibration 👍🏻failing all this it could be a bearing issue if the tonearm has had a knock or the screws have been over tightened👍🏻

[@alfaroinc1]

Hi Adam Great Video.I have a 1200 M3D and I have done every step on youre video and what hapens after the tone arm is floating I push the arm to middle of the record and is set on 0. then I move it to 1 and the arm moves a bit to left then stops and as I keep moving the nomber to 2 then the arm moves to the arm rest.I try to adjust to lower numbers and the arm stays by the arm rest it doesnt move to center of record would that be ok or do I need to do something else

[@decktech9684]

Not all float to the centre at 0, but also could be that it needs calibrating? Best way to check the anti-skate is to use a blank record and set it so it holds to the centre of the record whilst rotating 👍🏻

[@billymeza8726]

I had the same issue. I have solve it. Most calibrate the the upper bearing of the arm mechanism with the correct pressure. I have use a CD for test. Works fine.

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

just one other thing, do the tonearm gimbal bearings need an occasional oiling from time to time?

[@decktech9684]

It wouldn't harm to clean and re-lube the bearings

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

@@decktech9684 , oh thanks. will do that right now.

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

just wondering. there's a round inspection port with a plastic cap on it, on the tonearm base. what does it actually inspect?

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

@@decktech9684 , thank you for the reply

[@countroyhifi8730]

What was the reply please?

[@mpsorry]

When the anti-skating knob scale is 0.5G, the spring and pillar are in contact?

[@decktech9684]

Yes, the spring and Peg should be in contact.

[@rsanchez7111]

Could you've used a pc of tape to hold the dial at 0.5?? To hold it while you do that??

[@decktech9684]

Yeah you could👍🏻

[@tomramos5929]

Hi Adam, I have 12010 Mk2. Here's what happens when I float my tonearm with cartridge and anti-skate @ 0. When I float the arm at the middle of the record it stays put. At the label, it either stays put or very slowly goes toward the label but stops before reaching the end. At the beginning of the record it floats toward the arm lock, bounces off the lock and floats between the lock and the record. When anti-skate is added the arm will float quickly towards the lock and stay there like it's supposed to. Do you think my anti-skate needs calibration? I get skips on some of my brand new records. Also the height adjustment lock seems not to work and the adjustment ring is very stiff. Can I calibrate the anti-skate without soldering the wiring? Thanks!

[@decktech9684]

Sounds like it needs stripping down and height adjustment ring cleaning and freeing off this would mean the whole lot would need re-calibrating and in doing so this might sort the anti-skate problem out 👍🏻

[@tomramos5929]

@@decktech9684 I wish I was in the UK so I can send it to you. Do you think I can fix the height adjustment lock and reposition the anti-skate cog like in your video without soldering the tonearm wiring? Your videos are great BTW.

[@decktech9684]

@@tomramos5929 no the whole assembly needs to come apart to sit the height adjuster and lock out sadly

[@tomramos5929]

@@decktech9684 off to the electronics shop I go. I have no more equipment to do this at home, having an electronics workshop at work spoiled me. Back to DIY :-) Thanks again for the advice and videos.

[@tomramos5929]

@@decktech9684 Sorry for all the questions, I've taken everything apart, the anti-skate is positioned like in your video, I left it alone, but cleaned the grease off the height adjustment rings, put new grease only to discover that when calibrating the height adjustment, the rubber ring is off center. At max it only reaches the 5mm point and at low goes way past zero. I calibrated it 3 times. Is there a way to remove or move the ring? I've seen replacement rings for sale, but not how to move or remove it. Thanks again.

[@pompeyjim]

Do you ever find the anti skate doesn't work properly with tracking force above 3g? My current stylus required 4g and the anti skate isn't strong enough to stop it going towards the centre when using a blank record. anything up to 3g is ok but not above. I calibrated it exactly as you have here (service manual confirms this method too) could the spring weaken over time?

[@rtm00x]

are you using this to dj or just to play records? If you're just playing records then you should think of getting another cartridge that has lower recommended tracking force, 1.5-2g. If you're using it to dj then you set anti skate to 0, that is the general recommendation for that application.

[@pompeyjim]

@@rtm00x yes using to dj. I've heard that recommendation of 0 for djing many times over the years but I'm not in agreement. Perhaps scratch mixing is different, but for blending and general mixing, the correct setting should be applied. Heard way to many used records over the years with destroyed inner grooves due to 0 setting being used with too much weight.

[@rtm00x]

@@pompeyjim that is fair. Honestly a bit hesitant using that much weight in general. I have Shure M44G's which currently are setup with Jico tips which call for high tracking force. Looking to install Nagaoka needles on another set, which have lower recommended tracking force.

[@pompeyjim]

@@rtm00x I know what you mean but I think incorrect setup is far more dangerous to records than too much weight. I've got records that I've played hundreds of times with 4g and probably even more weight when I was young and stupid and they still sound great. I mean they have no doubt deteriorated, but it's not hugely noticable.

[@jefframsey5871]

I followed all of your instructions. But my dial shows 3 when it should read 0. I've tried to adjust the gears, move the spring, but everything is still reversed. What am I doing wrong???

[@decktech9684]

Hi Jeff, you should start with the anti-skate adjuster at 0.5 and then set the spring to be just touching the peg of the tonearm once you've done this it should be calibrated 👍🏻

[@JurassicTrance]

I'm at a total loss here. My SL-1210 M5G appears to be properly calibrated based on your video (My anti-skate dial looks a bit different, the 1 seems to be in the same position as your 0.5) the spring his the piston when the dial is set to 1. That said there seems to be a CONSTANT anti-skate force being applied. When my anti-skate is set to ZERO, the arm very quickly moves back toward rest on a blank spinning vinyl. See here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4nWfJavfpiXeqc

[@antoniosoliscordoba9465]

En Español porfavor😢