TD150 Mk II: Part 1 Receiving Inspection
Table came less bottom plate, less tonearm and less armboard. That's ok. I want to change those ite ms anyway...:-)
Serial tag
When spending my own money on a used turntable, I want to know about the condition of the platter bearing. The photos don't do this spindle shaft justice. The part is nearly mint showing only slight evidence of wear at the upper bushing area. This is normal. It is where the driving force occurs and also where the bearing is likely to have the least amount of lube.
Bearing housing looks the same as that used on the TD160 and TD125 Mk II. But those tables didn't get the captive ball tip in the spindle shaft.
Using a dial indicator to test bearing clearance by tapping vertically on the
opposite face of the subplatter. Reading was less than .0005 inches.
Also checked face run-out by spinning subplatter. Reading was .0015
inches. Note: bearing was dry for this test.
Dial indicator test for bearing clearance by tapping horizontally on subplatter
opposite the indicator. Reading was less than .0005 inches. Also
checked circular run-out. Reading was .0015 inches. Note bearing was dry
for this test.
Another critical area is the motor, shaft and pulley.
Run the motor. Probe next to the motor at the motor plate. Listen. Very quiet, thank you. Just a light whirr. Not audible without the stethoscope. Move the probe further away from the motor and listen again. Nothing. Good.
No heavy damage evident anywhere. No dings, dents or scratches in the platters. Light scuffing on the top facia. Some apparent scuffing and chipping around the edges of the veneer cabinet. Bearing looks really good and shows very little wear for its 30 plus years. Motor runs quiet and the drive pulley spins true.
Seems like a good one to me. On to disassembly and clean up and more detail inspection.