Magnetic Bearings and Corian Turntables

from Bill Gruhn's workshop

These images are the WTA clone and the first prototype Schröder based arm. Also there is a photo of my DIY Corian turntable with my WTA clone mounted. The magnetic suspension arm will replace the WTA model. As you can see the magnetic suspension arm is a variation of the inverted Y suspension. I put this model together to test several things including a single string model. So far the single string one has several issues to be resolved and the inverted Y could be placed in operation immediately while I continue working on the single string implimentation. I'm delighted with the performance of the inverted Y arm so far so if it takes me good long while to complete the single string one, I won't be too disappointed. My records have never sounded so good. I might add that the cartridge is an Ortofon OM-40 with an OM-10 stylus. Can't afford the OM30-40 stylus any more. Not to mention that at my age the old ears are not what they once were.

The wooden arm wand was a scrap of Mahogany a good inch square and a foot long. A 12 inch long twist drill went all the way through with some drift but plenty of stock left to put it between centers and turn to concentricity. Haven't tried soaking the wood in various oils and potions yet but just giving it a ten minute soak in Danish oil finish made a large difference/improvement in the sound.

Here is the Corian turntable with the original WTA clone mounted. I've been using it for at least ten years and pretty happy with it but there were some issues that I feel sure the magnetic suspension arm will correct.