Technics 1200 hinge woes (Part 1)

Installing hinges for the Plexiglas cover on a Technics 1200 turntable can be remarkably difficult. Here I am struggling to attach some to my original 1979/1980 model which don't seem to fit at all.
I actually got another MK5 model, and it requires you to tap the plastic for the hinges, after buying them separately (!!) ugh.
Aside from that though, I do think these are some of the best turntables on the planet. Just wish I could get my dust cover on there :(

[@jasonlewis4770]

The original angled mounting plates on these were attached with long thin machine screws inserted from underneath the base, with metal tubes (supports/guides) around them in the screw hole, and screwed into the small holes in the plate at the top. The screws did not go in from the top. The flat plate goes between the back of the base and the angled plate. The mounting screws for the plastic hinge brackets then go though the brackets and screw into the holes in the flat plate. I have all the original fittings on my early version, except the brackets, so I am going to have to drill new holes in my early plates to match the spacing of the holes in the later brackets.

[@SegasonicfanDesigns]

very cool OG info. Care to upload a pic of what you have? Im sure it would help people, and also help me make a 3D printed solution later :)

[@jasonlewis4770]

Yes I'll try to sort that out soon, but I think I'll have to upload the photo to Google drive and post a link. Don't think a photo can be directly uploaded to youtube comments.

[@SegasonicfanDesigns]

@@jasonlewis4770 yep, just a link would be rad! imgur.com also works well

[@antoinenicol558]

Hey! Might me a long stretch since its quite an old video, but how did you manage to tear down this early model of the mkII? I have this exact version of the 1200 with the 4-inch rca hole in the back and the single-piece bottom plate and I have been searching for countless hours how to disassemble it. I've got to the point where all the screws on the underside are taken off, but I can't get to detach the bottom plate from the top aluminium plate. With how little information there is online about this specific early version I feel like I'm stuck there and really don't want to break anything. It also feels so much different to the later version of the mkII, I am so happy to have found your channel. Thank you so much!

[@SegasonicfanDesigns]

Hi there, I got mine from a thrift store and it was already kinda messed up with missing screws and stuff. I think the disassembly isn't that different from the newer ones though? There are a bunch of screws on the bottom, then you have to take out the platter and undo the scews below there. Only after you disassemble the two halves of the entire player, can you get to the tonearm screws inside. I recommend looking up service manuals for the 1200, they have lots of detail disassembly instructions. I also have a playlist of videos for the 1200 here. Good luck !

[@antoinenicol558]

⁠​⁠@@SegasonicfanDesignswow thank you so much for the quick response! I’ll try it again with this in mind, I was quite afraid to break something if I just tore it apart at that point. Have a good one!

[@Chris2phaBrown]

The hinge and hinge bracket changed from the early version MK2s to the newer, in around 1983 I think. Looking at the service manual I have here it shows what part numbers changed, specifically for the hinge brackets and hinges, the changed part numbers are: SFUP122-05 -> SFUP122-23 Hinge support A SFUP122-04 -> SFUP122-24 Hinge support B SFUM170-07 -> SFUMM02N04 Hinge You will need the earlier part number, though I doubt you will find one (and you need two of each of those parts). This change was made before any of the other models (MK3, M3d etc) were released, so none of those models will have the earlier part numbers. Though, having a look, This video was uploaded 6 months ago.. So maybe you have already sorted it.

[@Chris2phaBrown]

@@SegasonicfanDesigns I ran across some today on ebay. www.ebay.com/itm/TECHNICS-SL-1200-MK-2-FIRST-PRODUCTION/323975198110

[@theruckusdj]

They do not attach to that outer rubber base! They attach to the inner hard shell base

[@SegasonicfanDesigns]

See the comment below from @Chris Brown. Its a compatibility issue, I have other videos on this.

[@ilikka7]

Did you ever sort this out? I'm having the same problem

[@SegasonicfanDesigns]

Unfortunately, the older models from 1979 to about 1980 don't support any known hinge solutions from what I could find / was told. It would have to be something custom :(