Technics SL-5 Update

[@b.j.thomas3264]

just bought a used one today. The sound is great to my ears. Played about ten albums. It did abruptly stop and return early on one of them. I think it was the third one and didn't do it again. So far, so great!

[@felix_da_katze]

Excellent! They are great players, and I have not really looked for anything "better". Intermittent faults are always the hardest to find, hopefully that was a one off and it behaves itself.

[@Round2Audio]

5mm is too much, the carriage should move more frequently, at least once per revolution of the record. Check the servo offset and gain adjustments in the service manual. You will like how it plays!

[@felix_da_katze]

Yeah, it is actually more than that, I just guestimated as I was talking. It's definitely some interval, and not constant like I originally assumed might be the case. I do love how this plays - I originally thought I might just fix it up and sell it on, but I've decided its a keeper. A few have popped up for sale since I got this, about 3 times the price and worse condition.

[@RyanFeeley]

I was having the same problem and took off the tonearm cover and it alleviated the problem. And unfortunately when I return the tonearm cover it produces another problem: it stalls halfway through. I would love to see how the tonearm cover goes back in place and what kind of lubricant is ideal for the tonearm cover.

[@felix_da_katze]

The cover can be a bit tricky to get back on correctly. If it isn't sitting flat it will be fouling about midway along the rod that the sled travels along. If it feels springy and has a fair bit of movement towards the back then you need to try putting it on again. For the sled rod lubrication, I pulled the rod out, cleaned it and the inside of the sled that runs along it with alcohol. Get all the old grease out. Then I used Tamiya CeraGrease. So far so good. As luck would have it, I have another one of these needing repairs, but I have 2 exams coming up, so won't get a look in until about late-December. I might cover these issues in a bit more detail then.

[@RyanFeeley]

@@felix_da_katze I will try again, thanks! Any issue playing without the cover in the meantime? Also there is a plastic push pin that I can’t seem to find the home for. It looks like it should fit on the bottom right of the motor cover but damned if I can find where.

[@felix_da_katze]

I think it will be ok to run without the cover temporarily. It keeps grease and junk out of your records long term. I am pretty sure it isn't used to do anything like activate stop switches or anything like that. Push pin goes in the motor cover, in the back from behind, bottom right as you said. A bit of a PITA position because you can't really see what you are doing. It might be easier to pull that cover off again so you can see exactly where it goes. The player definitely won't work correctly with the motor cover off.

[@RyanFeeley]

@@felix_da_katze I actually wasn't able to get the dust cover off at all as the middle screw seems a bit stripped :(

[@felix_da_katze]

Very likely the plastic it screws into has shrunk and split. You need something thing to the side of the screw head to maintain a bit of sidewards pressure while you unscrew. My next video on these might be bit more of a follow along type deal. If you can wait of course...

[@zx8401ztv]

You must be using hot glue, not epoxy to be able to soften it with hot water. Hopefully when reset, it will work properly. Go to war :-D

[@felix_da_katze]

2 part epoxy, promise :)