Height of VPI Stainless HW-19 LP Clamp?

In my attempts to lower the entire platter/plinth to gather more clearance with the 1 Piece Delrin Clamp, I have adjusted the bearing well plug as low as it can safely go, without causing rubbing between the Bearing Flangem abd Bearing Well Flange.

Then I discovered 1 spindle washer placed on top of each of my 4 sorbothane suspension Pucks. I removed these, and yes, I gained a little clearance, but then that created another problem. The Motor Pulley cover when buttoned up on to of the standoffs now touched the Motor Pulley, so I had to find some slightly thicker rubber washers to place in between the standoffs, and motor pulley cover. Too thick, and the little top nuts threads won't catch.

This is why I say the 19 series was quirky, and appeared to lack a little better design thought by the VPI team. Seems your always fighting to gain a 1/16" here, and a 1/16" there. Mark

I just measured my all black delrin two piece "One Piece" clamp, and the height is 1 13/32 inches. I stood it side-by-side with the stainless + delrin clamp and indeed the all black delrin was shorter, as the measurements would suggest.

This implies that my all black delrin clamp is different from yours. (Have you double checked your measurement with another measuring device? Sorry, I couldn't help asking.) The good news is that if your 1.766 inch tall clamp is just slightly too tall, there should be a good selection of VPI clamps that could fit OK. You could even get a short all black delrin like mine, and it might work out.

My all black delrin came with my VPI HW 19 Mark III, which I bought new in 1997. I vaguely recall that there was a choice of VPI dustcovers, a short and a tall, and I got the short one because the Mark III platter wasn't as thick as the Mark IV platter. I don't know if you are using a VPI dustcover, but perhaps the better solution would be to get a taller dustcover. (Obviously, you might prefer to avoid this expense.) If no one has the right VPI dustcover for this discontinued turntable line, Gingko Audio offers a selection of dustcovers and will do custom work. I've had good experiences with them, but they aren't real cheap either.

Hi, I must've been 1/2 asleep this morning when a measured with the dial indicator! lol

Re-measuring again, with a conventional Tape Measure, I come up with almost precisely 1-5/8"

So then, I'm gathering that the newer Delrin-Stainless one piece that I see advertised at MusicDirect is actually taller then than mine?

I tried calling VPI this morning, and they were closed?
I'll try again tomorrow, and perhaps if I can get someone to answer the phone, they can shed a bit more light on this for me, what Clamps are currently available, and what their measurements are. Thanks, Mark

You might try going clampless. I just demonstrated the merits of this to a HW-19 Mk 14 user yesterday, first with a DIY spotmat and then with my Boston Audio Mat 1. In both cases the sound opened up a lot without the clamp and there were no detectable downsides. YMMV and all that, but I gave up on clamps on my TNT Mk 2 quite a few years ago. Good luck, Dave

Hi again, Had my BDR Clamp buttoned up with my 180-200gm Mofi LP's, I'd be set, as it's a much lower profile Clamp, but it won't.

I caled both VPI this morning, and tried getting ahold of BDR, but had no luck with BDR. I had to leave a message.

Mike at VPI stated that the new Stainless Steel Clamp for the 19's is identical in height to my All Delrin Clamp, and that is 1-5/8", so I won't gain a height advantage going with this newer Clamp.

The Brass threaded Insert on the BDR Clamp I have has been recessed inside the Puck too far. Whether this is just a press fit into the Puck, or is also glued in, I have no idea? Perhaps BDR will take back the puck, and either reset the insert, install a new insert, or possibly replace the Puck? The problem only occurs with thick LPs. Standard LPs will clamp up fine with my BDR Clamp.

I'll try to keep all posted. Thanks again all for your advice, and help