Best tools to calibrate TT motor actual speed?

Hi Uberwaltz,

I too use the KAB Speed Strobe.  It can be purchased from various online sellers, but as you may have already discovered it costs $110.  (Mine was "only" $90 when I purchased it about 10 years ago).

An alternative approach costing almost nothing is described here:

https://www.vinylengine.com/strobe-discs.shtml

Regarding the mention in the article of using a "standard tungsten room lamp," though, as you'll realize such things are no longer made (note that the article was written in 2002), and I'm not sure that they or their present day counterparts would provide enough contrast within each 60 Hz cycle to serve the purpose.

What I believe would work well would be to use an ordinary neon-bulb type "AC tester" to provide the illumination, connecting it to the AC with an extension cord.

Best regards,
-- Al 

As always Al you hit the spot!

As I am a bit of a hoarder where tools are concerned I thought I had an old 90.s tungsten lamp automotive light and I did still working perfectly.
With that disc printed out and on the tt I was able to set both 33 and 45 speeds very accurately.
What was a nice reassurance was the 33 that I had set by ear to get me going was actually pretty darn close being just slightly fast.

Think I will keep the $110 in my pocket for now!

Just as a sanity check I think I will order one of those mat strobe discs in long lasting plastic for about $18 from Hudson HiFi and then recheck against my el cheapo printed version.
Useful any way as has strobe one side and two point alignment protractor on the other.

I am in Jacksonville. I would be happy to loan you my KAB for you to try.

Seriously??
So am I, or near as darn it!
Fleming Island here.
Pm me maybe we can work something out.
As you may have read I got it pretty much dialed in but sure would be nice to double check with the KAB.
Thank you

Kevin