|
RUSSCO CUE-MASTER BASICS.
BASIC Operation and Maintenance of 3-Speed
TRANSCRIPTION-STYLE TURNTABLE.
12" Model CUE-MASTER with BODINE NYC-12 Motor.
12" Model CUE-MASTER with GENERAL INDUSTRIES D-10 Four Pole Motor.
This entire "how-to paperwork" is based upon the original RUSSCO ELECTRONICS MFG., INC documents sent out with all Russco Cue-Master® turntables as designed and constructed by Russ Friend and Associates© Russco Electronic Mfg©.
We (russcoturntables.com / RTC) sought out and were given permission by Mr. Friend to use his original paperwork as a template and guide for general maintenance and care of the Cue-Master® turntable and others he designed. The basic instructions also hold true for the Russco Studio-Pro Model B. unit as well and the Russco BD-12 and the 16" transcription unit (different Motor) turntable where applied to his designs of idler-drive units and idler/belt drive combination.
Any time we insert any material not of the original document our "additional information" will be enclosed in bold as well as right and left square brackets to differentiate from the original document
RUSSCO 12" Cue-Master and Studio-Pro Model B. tables [were] shipped completely assembled. Shipping materials such as blocks, cardboard etc., should be removed and the table checked for any possible damage incurred in transit. If main table bearing is numbered, be sure this number is matched by number stamped on platter to insure correct matching. [During the years of development there were a number of design changes in the natural progression and construction of the table and associated parts. Most of the Cast, then lathe-cut Aluminum platters were almost identical as were the main platter shaft and "captured bearing" at the end of the shaft. The "bearing well" attached to the deck is an Aluminum casting. (At that time when casting the main deck as well as the platter and motor-plate some variations occurred during this process). (for more info, see Russco Parts) Located at the base of the shaft well is a large adjustment screw and lock-nut which also held a captured bearing which rode against the same size bearing within the platter shaft. Within the shaft well are two Bronze "self-lubricating" oilite sleeve bearings (see IDLER BEARING LUBRICATION) which held the hardened steel platter shaft (of Cobalt type alloy) on its vertical axis letting it rotate smoothly without undue noise or friction]. The main point of this numbering of individual table bearing and platter bearing; there were differences (however slight) in the fit of shaft and shaft well, most units cannot be swapped around moving one platter to another table base because of a bearing fitting to tight or to much play in the bearing well resulting in wobble, excessive wear and rumble. [In later production quiet a few units were found to be able to "swap" tables to a different "shaft well", I believe this was due in part to better machining/casting techniques and equipment].
If your unit came without a power cord, connect a good heavy duty (with ground) 115V 60 cycles AC only to terminals marked in red on terminal block attached to underside motor hanger plate.
INSTALLATION: The table should be solidly mounted [using four screws of appropriate size] to operating table or desk. [ many users are now customizing there Russco's in one-off Plinths of heavy solid wood, quality sandwiched ¾"- 1+" plywood or Granite using them as stand-alone turntables not located in studio or production desks] Do not use sponge rubber or other resilient material between turntable main chassis and mounting surface! (*1) This is especially important where reproducer arm (*2) is of such length that it cannot be mounted directly on the turntable chassis.
- *1 Some of the Gates units, the 16" CB-500 and other Gates 12" decks came with an early foam "cushion" surrounding the outside edge of the deck and was held in place by the shear weight/gravity of the unit upon the cabinet or desk
- *2 Standard Reproducer arms of that era such as Gray Micro-Track 306, measured from pivot point (center of rear base) mounted 10 5/8" (269 mm) from spindle or ROK Micropoise S260, 16" Gimbal bearing transcription tonearm or any other large transcription/reproducer style arm for reproducing 16" vinyl at a given speed :16-78 rpm etc.
OPERATION AND ADJUSTMENTS: Turntable speed is controlled by 3 factors: (1) speed of motor RPM (2) diameter of motor pulley (capstan, 3 step/3 speed) (3) diameter of inside rime of table where idler drive contacts. Diameter of idle wheel [puck] has no effect on table speed; hence no speed change occurs as idler wears. Speed change is made by placing speed change gear shaft arms in one of the three (Cue-Master) slots, top for 33 1/3 rpm, middle for 45 rpm, and bottom for 78 rpm. In Studio-Pro Model B., 2 slots, top for 33 1/3 rpm and bottom for 45 RPM. "Neutral" positions are provided between the slots within a slight indention, when not in use the shift arm should ALWAYS be left in the neutral position to prevent "flats"/indentions in the compound of the idler wheel. [If indention/flat is slight sometimes the idler wheel can be made serviceable again by cleaning with alcohol, putting the table in gear and running for a day or so which may "even-out" the indention. There have been instances of technicians running-up the idler wheel and using slight pressure and a fine emery material or fine cut file, smoothing out the rubber compound slightly, fixing the "bump". In doing so, you may have to make an adjustment to the motor via the mounting slots moving them slightly to off-set the small amount of compound removed.]
Each of the slots has an adjustable stop which limits the travel of the arm. While a slight change can be made in table speed by adjusting these small straight blade screwdriver slots, there purpose is to limit the pressure between motor-pulley/idler and inside table rim. Initial adjustment as is follows: Screw in (clockwise) (45 RPM) screw until motor ceases to drive table, back out slowly until just enough pressure is applied to give satisfactory acceleration to platter. Best results will be made by using the least possible pressure consistent with adequate driving power. Too much pressure will cause undue wear on the idler, cause incorrect speed and introduce vibration.
LUBRICATION: MAIN TURNTABLE SHAFT: Main turntable shaft should be wiped clean using clean lint-less cloth (like micro-fiber) and bearing well should be cleaned with cloth wrapped around wooden dowel to remove gummy deposits of dirt, dust and oil. Re-lubricate by applying Grade 30 automotive oil. A small dab of Lubriplate® [Lubriplate LBR-T Multi-Purpose, Lubriplate Aero LBR-ST] should be applied to the "captured" bearing on the end of the turntable shaft. This lubrication procedure [preventative maintenance] should be followed every three (3) months- every month if table is used in a twenty-four hour operation.
IDLER BEARING LUBRICATION: The idler bearing is made of oilite, a material consisting of bronze particles pressed together with microscopic passages between them. These passages are impregnated with oil. This bearing material contains enough oil for several years of the bearings life. Should the idler become stiff on the shaft and not rotate freely, this would indicate the bearing no longer has sufficient oil for lubrication. At this time the idler should be removed, the shaft and bearing wiped thoroughly with a clean Lint-less cloth and the bearing re-lubricated with a light oil such as 3-IN-ONE oil ®.
BODINE SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR: The Bodine continuous duty fractional horsepower NYC-12 motor is equipped with gits type oil cups/flip caps located on the side of top and bottom bearings (generally with Red color caps). The bearings on these are of solid bronze sleeve type, equipped with a felt wick to carry oil to the shaft. Ordinary lubrication at two month intervals with a couple of drops of oil per bearing is sufficient. Grade #10 non-detergent oil is recommended.
GENERAL INDUSTRIES D-10 FOUR POLE MOTOR: This motor comes with oilite bearings and ordinarily needs no lubrication attention during its life. If the turntable is located in an unusually hot location it is possible for the oil in these bearings to change viscosity to the point where the motor shaft will be so stiff that the motor will have trouble starting. Under these conditions the motor should be removed from the turntable, disassembled, and the bearing and shaft cleaned. The bearing then should be thoroughly saturated with a light oil such as 3-IN-ONE® The motor then can be reassembled, reinstalled on table and the unit returned to further usage.
IDLER ADJUSTMENTS: Note that the motor is attached to its hanger with screws through the elongated holes/slots. If, due to wear, (reduction of diameter) of the idler, it becomes impossible to secure adequate driving power with the shift arm at the extreme left-hand end of the speed selector slot. Moving the motor toward the rim of the table will give correct driving pressure more toward the center of the speed change slot. If a new idler makes it impossible to obtain a ?neutral? position, the motor is simply moved away from the table rim until a suitable arm position in the slot is obtained. Older tables did not include the slotted motor hanger, but the same effect can be obtained by moving the entire table toward or away from the shift arm.
IDLER DRIVING SURFACE: It is extremely important that the driving surface of the idler and the inside rim of the turntable be kept clean of oil or other contaminating substances. During the first few weeks of operation, the idler drive surface and the inside rim of the table should be cleaned with methyl alcohol at weekly intervals. No further attention should be needed unless these areas are subject to oil overflow from the idler due to over-lubrication. If the idler or table rim becomes contaminated with oil, the only satisfactory solution is to clean the table and idler thoroughly with hot water and detergent.
NOISE, HUM, RUMBLE: Many pickups are subject to hum caused by the magnetic field of a motor. Before installing a pickup arm/reproducer on a table it is wise to move the pickup head to various locations on the platter, with the motor operating but with the idler in "neutral". This should help in locating the mounting position of the arm which will cause the least hum. Noise is divided into two classes, mechanical and electrical.
Noise that can be heard without amplifier or pickup operation, can usually be traced to it's source by comparing the noise with the speed of motor, idler wheel or table itself. If noise is constant at all speeds, it probably originates in the motor. If it increases with table speed but its frequency is greater than table speed, it can usually be traced to the idler. If the noise varies with table speed and has the same frequency, look for something on the table rim, such as oil, dirt or possibly a crack in the table casting. In the case of noise traced to the idler, look for dirt on the idler drive surface, pits or foreign material imbedded in the idler driving surface. Check felt thrust bearing under idler to be sure idler is not riding directly on metal boss at bottom of idler shaft. Too much idler tension can cause idler to rise on its shaft and noise is heard as the idler contacts the idler ring. (See: OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS above)
Any of the above conditions can cause electrical rumble, and tracing it would be the same as tracing mechanical noise. One additional possibility is added, the case of rumble in the electrical reproduction, and this is wobble in the capstan. Rumble more or less constant at all table speeds can usually be traced to the capstan. Again, too much idler tension will aggravate rumble caused by an out-of-round or "wobbly" condition in the capstan, (motor pulley).
Noise is caused by "flats" in the idler will run out in a few minuets because of the "self-healing" nature used in the neoprene idlers. Put table in the 78 RPM position and let run for a few minuets.
We will be adding to this posting about every day, stop by to see what is new and updated.
RusscoTurntables.Com will be happy to assist with any problems in maintenance or operation of these tables just as Russ Friend & Associates originally agreed to do. To insure a minimum of delay please give us as much information as possible whether problem is new, long standing, type of tonearm used, if problem only occurs at any one of speed ranges etc. The more information we have concerning your unit may lead us to a faster diagnosis. Even though we have a number of audio engineers who work with us, we may post your problem to our bulletin board coming soon so that others who have experienced this type of problem may also share their "fix" with you.
|
