First Lenco, first project...

[Tomcat1969]

Hi everybody. I'm Billy from Scotland. When asked where I just say 9 miles from St Andrews.

I bought a 1973 GL75 on the bay in May. I did an almost 700 mile round trip to collect it. Leavin home at 2:30 am and back in the hoose at 3 pm plugging it in and  checking it out.

It's a very nice, clean deck.

So, it became evident very quickly that it needed V blocks. I could only get the needle on the record (junk record) with 5g on it and it jumped and stuck.

So I got white plastic v blocks from the bay cos I'm impatient. I intend to get some of Alexseys blocks.

So all good with the replacement blocks. I can set up the arm normally. Low tracking weight.

[Tomcat1969]

Argh. Lost a big chunk o my post there.

Where am I now.

Stripped and  cleaned spindle bearing as per the guide on LH. I polished the tiny bit of wear on the thrust plate and put in a ceramic bearing. Using white lithium grease and it is very smooth a glides smoothly to a halt after just under 3 minutes.

I've polished the platter and clear coated it.



Stripped and cleaned the motor bearings and tuned it to run very quietly, on a biscuit tin on the bench. Very quiet and smooth.  Very little wear on the sintered bronze balls.

I re-wired the arm. Long story, I messed up the original wire.

And here it was.

[Tomcat1969]

And here I am today.

[Tomcat1969]

I've got my templates.

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[SteveM]

Looking good so far, good luck with your project!
How did you like the sound of your 1st Lenco?

[Tomcat1969]

Hi Steve, thanks.

I loved it. The energy it conveys is phenomenal.

The Jazz Messengers for example... just so much more power and punch.

Great bass. Very precise compared to other decks I've had and currently own.

I love it.

[projektori]

Looks very promising!

How did you rewire the arm? It's always an issue around here, or so it seems...

[Tomcat1969]

Looks very promising!

How did you rewire the arm? It's always an issue around here, or so it seems...

I ended up drilling out the plastic in the headshell and arm and wired straight from the cartridge to the phono sockets.

I am waiting for the donor arm and counter weight to arrive. When they do I am ordering one of Brians 9" fat arms in silver.

How do you like yours?

I've just sprayed my first coat of primer. No reactions!

[mr havoc]

Looks like you have made a good start with you Lenco, enjoy the rest of you project 

[Tomcat1969]

Looks like you have made a good start with you Lenco, enjoy the rest of you project 

Cheers man.

[projektori]

I ended up drilling out the plastic in the headshell and arm and wired straight from the cartridge to the phono sockets.

I am waiting for the donor arm and counter weight to arrive. When they do I am ordering one of Brians 9" fat arms in silver.

How do you like yours?

I've just sprayed my first coat of primer. No reactions!

Ok!

Well I still haven't installed mine, so just what I wrote to the sales thread applies so far. I like the idea of preserving Lenco's working principle but getting rid of the design problems of the original arm.

Always certain sense of dread present when you open the spray can and start spraying 

[Tomcat1969]

Always certain sense of dread present when you open the spray can and start spraying 

Very true. I screwed up the second clear coat on the platter and has to strip it.

Conditions here were perfect for the first coat of primer and its flawless

Another coat tomorrow.

[projektori]

Looking good!

[Tomcat1969]

I'm considering adding a 6th layer to the plinth. At the bottom.

I am thinking of routing it out to allow me to fix a 11mm thick granite chopping board into it for more weight.

Anyone got any comments on this idea?

Cheers guys.

[Tomcat1969]

First coat of high gloss cherry red.

It's not perfect but just the first coat.