DIY Record Cleaning Machine

[anderzom]

sell me ONE!

[dgordon86]

Great Machine! I started collecting pieces to create my own RCM and I find your machine is very inspiring. I'm also using a reversible motor, but I decided to go with the VPI 16.5 wand from elusivedisc. I have a couple of quick questions...The plate that your switches rest on, did you have it cut to contort to the shape of the platter, or does it actually slide underneath and form a square? It's hard to tell, but I like it! Also, do you have any more photos posted online? Loving this design.

[Gealeb12]

Hello Teknokem,

I am impressed of your cleaning machine, it looks prof.

Can you send me instructions to build these machine?

What components do i need? Some video or foto's maybe.

I am from the Netherlands Thank you very much!

Gealeb

[Gealeb12]

Thanks very much.

[wot2wot2]

great build. what motor did you use?

[StarBoyJonesProds]

Where can I buy this machine and how much do they cost?

[Pleepleus]

OK, but what are we supposed to do if we don't have a fancy freakin record cleaning machine thing?

[rcmoot]

whats on your brush is just redeposited back on in the reverse direction.

[Adriuve]

queda nuevo

[TheWaldo602]

Wow...just what ive been looking for..awesome job...can you hook me up with that link so i can try my hand at one of these....thank you

[alexleungfw007]

Very much like my VPI Machine.

[paperdoll512]

brilliant :)

[daveh512]

I really like your machine...it's quite impressive. Can you send me a link with project details (components, specs, diagrams, etc) or instructions for building one? Thanks very much.

[RecordKing44]

does it clean 45s?

[ryder164]

were can i buy one? message me!

[Vethraxx]

What did you replace the turn table motor with? I looks likes a slow spinning, but high torque motor as as not to bog down during the extraction.

[aprilredbird1]

Brilliant, but for those of us who are mechanically challenged, we would have no way to recreate whatr you have done, and for myself personally being older and mostly retired, can't afford a cleaning machine for the 6,000 albums that take up a huge portion of my music library, which consists of Vinyl, and CD'S and Tapes. These days I listen to mostly cd's because so many albums snap crackle and pop

[aprilredbird1]

Brilliant, but for those of us who are mechanically challenged, we would have no way to recreate whatr you have done, and for myself personally being older and mostly retired, can't afford a cleaning machine for the 6,000 albums that take up a huge portion of my music library, which consists of Vinyl, and CD'S and Tapes. These days I listen to mostly cd's because so many albums snap crackle nd pop

[grabngonuts]

I soooooo need this....bravo

[ADKIc3mAnX36O]

Hey can you please help me if I put a Vinyl that skips alittle bit in a machine like this one will it come out all fixed like with no skips ????

[floppier]

@ADKIc3mAnX36O Probably not, *unless debris is stuck to the groove*. If it's scratched or dinged, there's really nothing you can do unless a pro company with a laser turntable can reproduce it for you.

In a pinch, try playing with your anti-skate setting. Play that selection with the anti-skate set high. Don't leave it set high afterward, though; it will kill a stylus in no time.

[ADKIc3mAnX36O]

@floppier Thank You :)

[miamiwax]

u should definitely place a slipmat of some sort on the platter

[KillaVinyl]

@miamiwax Thumbs up but i think thats what the little white round sticker things are on the edges to keep it from touching the metal platter

[BlackFlag77]

could you message me details on how to make my own?

[Altanir1]

Awesome job! Could you please send me the link with the building project? Thanks!

[geordiejeans37]

Hi, could you send me the link for this project please. Kind regards

[drbryant23]

Very nice. I paid $700 for my VPI machine, and it doesn't go in reverse like yours does. Great job.

[DjTsj]

all u need now is a few girls in bikinis

[latinosomos]

I like your record cleaning machine. Can you give me your formula for the record cleaning solution? Where did you get the brush? I use mostly isopropyl alcohol and a few drops of dish detergent.

Sincerely

Latinosomos

[itimmy101]

ok can you play the record first just to show how bad & dirty it sounds? then wash it and the play it again just to see how much of a difference it sounds... please thank you!

[VDRP]

Ya know, it's too bad you didn't add a scrubber to the unit, to really get the crap off the vinyl.

[JRoost88]

@teknokem could you please email me the link to how you constructed this...it is absolutely beautiful and exactly what this poor graduate student needs...

[wakko1999]

you could eat off that thing!!!

nice

[BoudjeR6]

Very nice machine, great job, this machines are very expensive.

[mcg413]

What liquid do you use? I think it's either alcohol or a special liquid. Please tell me.

[StrosB4Hos]

looks good but how does it sound?

[CollectorOfMusic]

its nicer then the one i saw martha stuwart build with her gluegun. just kidding, very clean, very nice job.

[Malshchukoff]

ну нихуя себе...

мне-б такую =)

[curtis8516]

ive got a record which is a bit dusty but its not staic. any ideas on how to clean it manually? eg. with a carbon fiber brush because i heard you have to use/buy special liquids and alcohols?

[dimebagdave77]

i want one!

[32JSE]

Wow, i wish i had one. This is a nice invention! You should start a business with these.

[cheddab0b]

thats sweettt!!!!!!!!!

[myownsign]

Hey man , great job. you gave me ideas to make mine.

[cranie4]

Fantastic...

[DIY3x3x3Cube]

thats real dirty, in a clean way...

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

Really like your machine! The buttons are a great idea since the cleaned side will not contact any significant area that the dirty side has been in contact with.

[teknokem]

@TheFRiNgEguitars Thank you! They also givea very good grip.

[chadergeist]

@TheFRiNgEguitars I don't like when i buy records on Ebay and they are cleaned because the cleaner leaves watermarks on the surface, like the inner and outer grooves and i hear shhhhhhhh shhhhhhh throughout the sound. Like crackling.

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

@chadergeist The problem is caused by improper cleaning. Wet cleaning dissolves dirt before it can be removed. The suspended particles become extremely small, so, as the fluid dries, the microscopic particles are then redeposited on the groove walls like crusty concrete. The result is hissing, and fidelity loss. Wet cleaning should be followed by a rinse with filtered water, then dried with microfiber, or vacuumed. NM records with light dust should only be cleaned with a humidified dust wand!

[skoodge]

great job!

[SlimeTron5000]

The liquid is redundant.

[razadelibertad]

Very Good!

[coverupify]

nice work, really impressive

[TheFutureLooksGrimm]

I notice thet the platter you are using holds the record by the sides and middle thereby never touching the record grooves and not needing a good mat. Is that platter sold anywhere or did you make it?

[teknokem]

I make it using an old Japaneese turntable form the 80s. I stuck several "adhesive silicone bottons" forming two rings (one inner and one outer). They prevent the record from scratching and give a very good grip during rotation. Ciao

[stredum123]

@teknokem Do you know if vinyl cleaning machines really exists for sell?

[vayahombre]

What's the liquid mix you've used?

[teknokem]

It's a water solution of l'Art du Son cleaning fluid.

[evilicono]

I see that when you remove the vac there is still a very small amount of cleaner left.

[teknokem]

It due to the fact that the cleaning fluid is a water solution.

[evilicono]

@teknokem You mean that it's been based on water, right? Anyway what you do when you see some solution left - wiping it with cloth for cleaning records or leave to dry?

I'm thinking about getting KAB EV-1 cleaner cause it very cheap and brings professional quality cleaning. I wish i could build my own diy rcm though.

[teknokem]

Yes you are right. The small amount evaporates quikly anyway. Using an alchoolic solution no amaount of cleaner is left. KAB works wery well, do nort hesitate to buy it.

[evilicono]

@teknokem Okay, thanks Riccardo!

[Watcher3223]

@teknokem

However, using alcohol can break down the plasticizers in the vinyl, which can shorten its life.

The use of a water-based solution, such as yours, is best.

BTW, your home-built record cleaner looks splendid.

Do you have any blueprints and schematics for showing others how to build one for themselves?

[Shady12577]

Teknokem, adding a jar between the inlet of the pipe going to the platter and the pipe going to the vaccuum might work in collecting all the fluid. again, please send me the details of how you constructed this RCM.

[teknokem]

There is a jar inside the box between the vacuum motor and the sucking arm. In my experience it recover about 5% of the fluid, the remaining 95% goes through the motor and then in the environment. Ciao

[Princeton507]

Wow that technology is really nice wow hey how much did that cost you?

and Happy Newyear.

[teknokem]

Total cost was about 50€, this RCM was made using parts taken from other equipment. Ciao

[Keiretsu]

bello! ben fatto, complimenti

[peppoj]

Deep Purple? :D

[164man]

fantastic, please come to england and clean my records fro me.

[teknokem]

Thank you, how does your wife cook?

[164man]

my wife cant cook, never mind will stick to my cleaning fluid, thanks for your reply.

[amr7037]

can sum1 tell were i can go and pay sum1 or company to get my records clean pleesplees

[teknokem]

Second hand LP record sellers may have a RCM

[billcozby]

Hello. Your cleaning machine is great. How is the suction pipe constructed? Pleeaaaase...

[teknokem]

The cleaning tube is made with 1 inch ID pipeline used to drain water in housing. You can find all parts at your local home depot.

[miamiwax]

what was that on blue note??

[teknokem]

A wonderful "Somethin' else" by Cannonball Adderly"...a late press unfortunately :-)

[TonicLoving]

one recommendation , put a rubber slipmat between the record and that platter ... One slip of the rist and youve got a seriously scratched disc

Otherwise, wow , great job building that

[teknokem]

Actually there are several "silicone bottons" forming two rings (one inner and one outer). They prevent the record from scratching and give a very good grip during rotation. Thank you.

[MansuDC2]

WOW!? nice set-up, props for building one...

[dave631bnetzero]

Hi

Can I have the info for building the vacuum tube?

Thanks

[buckbumble]

isnt that a little too much fluid? Does it matter?

[teknokem]

The pump takes away the fluid, no matter how much of it you are spreading over the record.

[tokobot]

good job!

thnk`s you!

dj dinky

[AlanB7777]

Nice machine! Are there detailed construction pictures or drawings?

[teknokem]

There is an Italian website with some pictures and a description of the project. Just send me a message an I will send you the link. I cannot do that on the comment page

[tataramdaramdam]

Hi teknokem!

Can you send me the link with pictures and a description of the project?

Thanx!

[triumph1974]

@teknokem could you send me  a link also.

Regards

[therealbeaker]

Very nice! Can't wait to get my own diy rcm going!

[TheBoyarde]

The record is pretty shiny!

[BLIXAENDENEU]

nice job, thanks! are those pinoy hands? he he he

[djstuarthodson]

wht the solution in the bottle??

[teknokem]

It is the cleaning fluid made by Loricraft (l'Art du Son)

[ckphoto1]

Great job I like the look and design better then the $1,000 cleaners on the market

[eightiessrules]

Great !

It seems to work well as some of pro cleaning machine.

[rea1high]

Nice!! email sent

[teepee130]

Do you have any instructions you could give me?

[teknokem]

Yes, but I need to send you an email.

[jonrx007]

Can I get some intructions also. I'm curios about the contact point between the record and the vacumm head/brush.

Is there a brush on the vacum arm? or is it just a pipe with holes in it.?

[teknokem]

It is a pipe with a slot (3 mm wide) and two adhesive velvet strips next to sides.

If you send me your email address, i can send you a link with detailed pictures and building instructions.

[muco007]

Looks great! I'm also very interested in your instructions. I'm trying to digitize over 1800 vinyl records that a majority cant be purchased digitally. I really can't afford a $600 + cleaner. What was your overall costs to create this?

[teknokem]

I only bought the vacuum cleaner motor from a repair shop for 15 euros. Total cost would be semething like 30 euros. Send me a mesage if you need more datails on construction.

[highfive742]

How far from the suction arm to the vac motor? Does a longer hose, maybe coiled in the box, provide enough "distance" for the cleaning fluid to evaporate before it reaches the motor? Did you use a standard vacuum motor or a wet/dry vac motor? Please post a "how to" page! That's a wonderful rcm you've made!

[teknokem]

Actually I found that the cleaning fluid flows through the motor, so it is necessary to clean it once per year. I'm currently studying how to avoid this. It seems that the suction tube should be narrowed at he end that goes into the recovery tank. if anyone need construction details just mail me i will give information on a website to see.

[avalover5498]

Interesting, what are you using to turn the platter?

-Chris-

[highfive742]

Sounds like an ice cream maker motor. Bread machine motors work as well, from what I'm reading. Low speed, lots of torque.

[teknokem]

It is a CC motor connected to a gear box which reduces speed to increase torque. I fitted a rubber pulley to the bearing to transfer motion to the platter.

[maximmmm]

Che dire.. COMPLIMENTONI per l'esemplare costruzione, anche se non esattamente alla portata di tutti..! ..come si faccia, poi, a dire che le macchine lavadischi distruggono i dischi resta un mistero..

[gretchen7923]

record cleaning machines destroy records. period.

[teknokem]

record cleaning machines bring record to a new life. Believe me, it is not so easy to destroy a record, even if you play it with a tonearm/cartridge combination that plays at 5 grams (provided that it is set up properly).

[lokotek]

teknokem, do youhave a web page where you explain how to build your Record cleaning machine?