This guy uses a $30 vinyl vac as a core for a production level DIY cleaning machine. Lot of good ideas in this video.

https://youtu.be/U1Au-WFeWQ8

Hmmmm, there is an old disco ball motor laying around in my stash somewhere and maybe that old lazy susan used on a old platform that held a tubed kitchen counter TV has not been discarded. And...that one gallon shop vac in the motorhome....here I go

I like the box he built for the vac! Adding something similar to my project list. I have the exact same Armour All vac I use. I originally bought it for my fine sander.

BJ, how do you address static elimination?
I still have a forty year old Zero Stat I have kept. I have a more modern one I bought wondering if my old one was wearing out and they seem to both work a bit, about the same.

I also tried a drop of Rain-X in my rinse when deep cleaning for the first time. Read about it somewhere online, but it seems to help for about two plays in conjunction with the Zero Stat. Whereas the Zero Stat alone sometimes does not last a whole play, especially in winter here when you get shocked just getting up out of your chair.

I worry about a product NOT designed specifically for vinyl, though. Rain-X is for glass.
I have also used Rain-X on CDs with decent results, not really worried about the polycarbonate layer, but my buffing them back to a mirror sheen works better on iffy CDs.
We're not talking about CDs, though.

I have done the spritz the floor with fabric softener thing, which helps some for about twenty minutes, maybe.

How do you eliminate static on your LPs?

Yes, I have felt that charge.
In fact, I have actually had fun turning the system up and playing with that charge as if it were a Theremin as a nonsense distraction/demonstration at times.
It makes some interesting Doppler noises I use to demonstrate static to friends at times, helping them to understand where some of those crackles come from.

And my cat! If she even approaches my table stand and rubs against the rack, you can hear it. As far as I can tell, everything I have is grounded well. But the charge is between the ground and the air, the way I understand it all.

You can also "play" the static sometimes by just lifting your tonearm and allow it to sit above your spinning disc and you can hear what nightmares are embedded in your reproduction, especially in winter here.
You can also clearly hear the effect of the Zero Stat, just energizing it near the table.

Static can be troubling.
So you don't "stat" the table? Curious.
I find that the Static Guard type products on the floor help quite a bit, but the effect does not last long.
We carry a tremendous charge with us every move we make. I don't know if it's a positive or negative build up and discharge, but noticing it all is quite common.

Have we talked everyone out of using vinyl, yet?

I'll check out the vid.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Quote:


Found mine at a flea market 20 some years ago. Use it dry before and after plays as well as brush the needle. Still in very good shape.

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Glad you clarified that. My chin growth is about half as long as his

Will add the zero stat gun to my short list. Something that costs 4Xs more and needs held in one hand while being rotated 5mm above a record held with the other hand seems haphazard.

Going back to the static questions for a moment ... I have tried three platter mats that are supposed to eliminate static issues, but I really don't notice much difference between them and the stock platter mat that came on my Duals.
I'm using an accessory mat now, but mainly because my old original one was getting old.

Has anyone found one that helps with static?

The JVC F4 12" thick matt is heavily ribbed on the back side and seems to totally eliminate ringing of the machined platter when in place. After 44 years there is no sign of deterioration. We have hard wood floors and a central humidifier for winter use. Along with summer AC the house stays between 45 and 50 percent relative humidity all year. My listening room does have commercial indoor/outdoor carpet with a felt pad. Static is not a problem in my space. Sure some is generated and stored with album stock paper sleeves of which I have a plan to address.

It might be a mistake to change a factory engineered matt on a turntable. Unless of course it is damaged or wore out from abuse.  

 

 This is an interesting thread. I bet every house can have different static 'triggers'. For example, I have wood floors, but when I wear my shoes (rubber sole) and walk across a 2 foot wide area rug, the static is incredible! Barefoot, no problem. Then there is the fact that probably everything has some sort of charge to it. Distances, combinations, humidity and so much more will have an effect. Seems endless. All in all, I am fortunate in that the static doesn't pop as I play vinyl. I will say though, as soon as I take the record off of the TT, dust races to the surface of the record. I do own a Zero stat but have been using it improperly. I forgot about not using it with the record on the TT. Rats. Too many rules.
In those days where a ray of sunlight shows the dust in the air, you get a better idea of what you are up against. I like the idea of a vacuum record cleaner, but wonder just how much dust is stirred up by the exhaust.
You guys remember the white paper written, something like aquas cleaning of vinyl records or something like that? It is over 40 pages long and goes into the microscopic process of really cleaning the vinyl. I go for part of that stretch, but won't take it all the way.
I actually sent a few albums to PVF (Perfect Vinyl Forever) to have them cleaned beyond any ability that I have here. The result was good, but I think it is beyond my wants.

I can understand his point with an all-in-one front end feeding the amp. The Cambridge CXVn2 with the ModWright mod fed into the SE84UFO25 would fit well into his idealistic banter. The formentioned along with a set of HDTs or DNAs would be great for a renter or condo owner and sound pretty darn good.
His view fits well into the the millennium crowd.

Vinly has that unmistakable ability to bring intimacy into the listening experience without unnecessary or excessive cost. Vinyl is a regimented practice that must be embraced to be successful.

Variety is the spice of life. We look at screens all day long. So, it is nice to pick up an album, go thru the routine of spinning it, and sit down listening while reading/looking at the old school media

What grit sandpaper will you use?

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Wanted to get this thread back in sight. Spent yesterday working on this project collecting dust! It's been setting on the radial arm saw nawing on my mind every time pulling in the garage with the car. Maybe I'll get her done today






John

Ah yes the joy of vinyl. Found that the Zrock can enhance some of those old earier releases guite well.

100 done....200 to go. This setup really does clean and improve the sound well!

Thanks Sean.

100 albums took a very long day with enough time to piss and eat! It takes about 9 minutes each doing both sides and slipping into Hudson sleeves. Not a night and day difference in sound, but the cleaning does dramatically reduce background noise.

John