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Building high-end 'tables cheap at Home Despot II

“For those who want the moon but can't afford it or those who can afford it but like to have fun and work with their hands, I'm willing to give out a recipe for a true high-end 'table which is easy to do, and fun to make as sky's the limit on design/creativity! The cost of materials, including 'table, is roughly $200 (depending, more or less), and add to that a Rega tonearm. The results are astonishing. I'll even tell/show you how to make chipboard look like marble and fool and impress all your friends. If there's interest I'll get on with this project, if not, I'll just continue making them in my basement. The next one I make will have a Corian top and have a zebra stripe pattern! Fun! Any takers?”

The Lead in “Da Thread” as posted by Johnnantais - 2-01-04

Let the saga continue. Sail on, oh ships of Lenco!
mario_b
stefanl
296 posts
 
I believe I initiated some discussion of the Ortofon VMS 20 here when I compared it favourably to the Denon 103.Any way it is still easy to obtain a genuine relacement stylus for it as Ortofon still make them as far as I know.Another source is Musonic in the U.K which even has a VMS 30 relacement stylus this is said to be even better and you can put it on the VMS 20 body effectively making it the top of the range model as the bodies are interchangeable.Here is a link http://www.musonic.co.uk/
gjwaudio
14 posts
 
Hi Stefanl... and OOPS !

I stand corrected - Ortofon do indeed offer the "D 20 E MK II" replacement stylus (just checked www.ortofon.com), described as a "nude elliptical" tip.

The availability issue is with the VMS30 model - they no longer offer the "fine line" tip - I was confused on models. To upgrade the VMS body to "30" status, we must turn to other manufacturers.

Last year Ed quoted me thusly: "Astatic OR-108ed, exact replacement for VMS 30E MkII - $30.00... also have Pfnst. 540d7 at $35.00 (fits all 15 series)".

Hmmm, maybe it's time for the "30" upgrade.....
gp49
52 posts
 
Grant, have you any experience with Ed Crockett's rebuilds of idler wheels? I have a plastic idler from a Bogen B-61; the PVC tire has long since perished and cracked, and fallen off. It's gone; I didn't keep it around once it went.

Also, sooner or later I will need to have the idler on my Garrard 301 turntable rebuilt. I still have a new one that I got from British Industries Corp., way back when the Carduners owned the company; it's still in new condition and perfect, but it might be time to get the old one that's been in the turntable restored, after all this time, probably fifty years or so.
gjwaudio
14 posts
 
Hi Gp49

Fortunately I've had no need for idler rebuilds !! I think Mario_B had one redone by Ed... but I could be mistaken (...twice in one day !!). I remember somebody from Da Thread used Ed's service, and was very pleased with the result.

If you call Ed on the phone, he'll be happy to answer all your questions - very friendly and knowledgeable. Oh... and very reasonable prices too.

Good Luck with the tires (...or is that "tyres" ?)
Cheers...
Grant
wolf_moses
7 posts
 
Thanks for the meaty info on the VMS series, guys. I'll check it out.

Regards,

Wolf
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