Full Manual Turntable-What to do

One of the beauties of direct-drive or idler-drive is that the platter gets up to speed much more quickly than does that of a belt-drive turntable. In that case, the choice for me is clearer; I shut the motor down not only between LPs but also when flipping the LP in play.  On a practical level, the sluggish start-up of most belt-drive turntables is partly what drove me to experiment with other drive systems.  Still, no matter what type of turntable I have owned, I shut the motor down between sides.  But as others have said, there is no "right" or "wrong" on this issue, IMO.

If you feel the need for the motor to fully "speed stabilize" , then by all means, take this route... any user imposed faults to your prized vinyl, well, that's on you.

(By the way, I concur that it does take a while for the speed to fully stabilize.)
This isn't enough of a concern for me in order to make any adjustment in my normal routine that takes into consideration, ("Vinyl First").

I can always visualize any removal of a vinyl record from a spinning platter...if not done (precisely) will always be a negative. I can think of no other situation in which this action can be a positive. Therefore, regarding preserving your vinyl, how can anyone confidently say, this would be of no negative consequence for a vinyl record? To do so, would go against any sort of logical reasoning!

I think folkfreak's situation may be not "the norm" of most of us here.

I agree with all those who have suggested not changing records or sides while the platter is spinning. 

What I've never understood, though, is why so few people seem to use a record clamp (as I do), which of course would make the question moot.  Having a record coupled to the platter only by virtue of loosely resting on it, and perhaps also via some unknown amount of pressure between it and the spindle, just doesn't seem to make a great deal of sense to me.

Regards,
-- Al
 

There is a "right or wrong" when it comes down to a possibility of damaging the vinyl.

Why take the chance? A couple of minutes?

Regarding the use or non-use of a record clamp....

It all comes down to having "flat" lps.

If one has flat lps, the record clamp is not necessary, nor is it of any sonic value, IMO.