Turntable covers

[Stephen Packer]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this...

I've recently changed my turntable, the new (to me) one (Gyrodec SE) doesn't have a lid/cover. I'm not happy with this because of long term 'dust'.

I had a look at what was available and apart from the one from Michell themselves, the covers all look like simple boxes, the cost of these simple boxes seems *quite* high compared to the materials used.

So... I've decided to order some pieces of pre-cut perspex and some suitable adhesive and will make one myself. Has anyone done anything similar? Any tips?

 

[Ward]

Hi Stephen,
following a recommendation on hifiwigwam I contacted Adie of 'prdisplays' through this link to an advert on ebay
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338728743&icep_item=172423286121
he made me a very nice cover for my acoustic signature precisely to my dimensions at a fraction of the makers prices at £80.00
his phone number if you want to have a chat is 07595703022 I believe he is based in Leicestershire.
Hope that is of help
Ward

 

[Vinny]

Actual, real Perspex (a trade name for poly-methylmethacrylate) is ferociously expensive and, despite what glue salesmen may say, not easy to join to the standards that you are looking for.
Having worked with Perspex, I wonder what you'd get by just buying cut to size. It isn't, so far as I am aware, cutable with a guillotine/shear, so it would need to be band-sawn and then milled to size - far from cheap.

I would guess that any actual Perspex lids are moulded in the way that sheet is made, and then autoclaved, as is sheet - very expensive. Probably any cheap lids aren't actually all that they appear or claim to be, unfortunately.

 

[Stephen Packer]

Actual, real Perspex (a trade name for poly-methylmethacrylate) is ferociously expensive and, despite what glue salesmen may say, not easy to join to the standards that you are looking for.
Having worked with Perspex, I wonder what you'd get by just buying cut to size. It isn't, so far as I am aware, cutable with a guillotine/shear, so it would need to be band-sawn and then milled to size - far from cheap.

I would guess that any actual Perspex lids are moulded in the way that sheet is made, and then autoclaved, as is sheet - very expensive. Probably any cheap lids aren't actually all that they appear or claim to be, unfortunately.

I bought a turntable cover (from Plastic Online) made to my dimensions for about 120 quid or so. They used 5mm acrylic, 5 pieces, glued together. It looked better quality than the lid to a Rega.

Admittedly I won't have the gluing facilities, but the pre-cut pieces for this project came to about 45 quid delivered with another 8 quid for specialist glue. I'll make a jig to get the corners held so I have good alignment and then build it up.

To be honest it's partly more about wanting to make it than saving money, and it gave me an excuse to buy more tools! (Which you will notice don't get priced here...)

 

[ian r]

I have cannibalised the lids off various carboot decks from when record decks were uniquitous and some lids were well above average perspex quality and hardness etc

Old perspex absolutely can be polished to perfection with modern car glims etc.

its so much cheaper than modern ones and the older ones have lots of head clearance

whilst on this the quality of Linn deck covers used to vary widely ....i had the worst lid ever supplied with my brandnew linn some 40 years ago

 

[Stephen Packer]

I ended up making one. It wasn't the best job I could have done because I rushed it a little and didn't get the clamping quite right.

I measured up the size I needed and ordered pre-cut perspex pieces. I used 'Tensol 12' adhesive and this stuck well, but it also 'stressed' the perspex at the joints and the pictureframe clamps either weren't good enough (or more likely I took them off too soon since I only had four).

I ended up with it being slightly out-of-square (by 2-3mm) so the top piece had to sit on the frame at a slight angle to cover it.

However, I enjoyed making it and since the cover is used in my office and isn't a display piece it doesn't really matter!