Garrard 301 advice

[ara]

So I recently picked up this Garrard 301 from Durban (Grease bearing hammertone grey). Put the power cable on for the first time today and started it up after making sure everything is sort of in working condition. Was quite happy to find that it run first time without the slightest noise from anything.









I also got the following tonearm with the Garrard and paid in total R2k for the table and arm  . Anyone got some information on the arm or can identify it?







Now to some questions on the Garrard and what member recommend (have gotten a lot of info already but would like to here the local member's opinion are and it makes it easier as they will suggest something that is locally available):
1. What grease is recommended for the main bearing?
2. Do I first clean the bearing and add new grease or do I just fill-up the grease?
3. What can I use to clean the switch linkage (the metal arms that goes from the switches to the motor to change speed settings and switch on and off)?
4. Do I also after cleaning them grease the various pivot points?
5. What should I do with the motor if anything. It is running very quite and smooth?
6. What is the best place to get various springs from and is it okay to replace some of them on the Garrard (some of them seems a little stretched like the tensions spings on the idle wheel)?
7. Any other advice from members but remember I want to keep it as close to 100% original.
8. Anyone got maybe an e-mail address for Dr Martin Bastin or can recommend a good place to get replacement switches (Power and Speed)?

[mafioso]

The arm's counterweight is back to front.

Where's the grease nipple?

If you need to re-lubricate, I use Superlube (with Teflon). Better to clean out all the old stuff first.

mafioso

[ara]

Thanks and what is the best way to clean the grease out. The grease nipple is there just not clearly visible from the photos.

[Family_Dog]

Nice one, that 301 is in excellent condition. Congratulations on your purchase!

 I have PM'ed you Martin's contact details.

When you work with the undercarriage of the 301, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly, that cadmium plating is said to be poisonous and you do not want it on your skin.


-F_D

[charles]

Dear ara,

Congratulations with the 301, these days a gray grease bearing one is always a very good find.

If the motor runs fine, leave it as is, lubricate it according to the 301's user manual (you will find it on the internet). I opened some of the motors in the past and one have to use a toque wrench with the correct toque setting to reassemble it or else it runs hot - my experience.

Vintage radio restorers use mineral turpentine to clean the metal parts. Careful not to use isopropyle alcohol to clean the bearing housing as this will remove the paint. A mild solution of soap detergent and warm water may also be used to clean it.  Also keep alcohol away from an original 301 turntable mat as it will leave permanent marks.

You may re-grease the linkages. I use Total's Autoline Multis 12 Wheel Bearing Grease (lithium soap grease) on my 301's main bearings. Like mafiosi said, first clean out the old grease.

I never changed any of the springs on mine.  I agree that the spring on the idler wheel tensioner sometimes may need replacement, but if it works leave it.

A good match for a 301 is a SME 3012 tone arm. 

I hope this will help.

Kind Regards

Charles
 

[Family_Dog]

I opened some of the motors in the past and one have to use a toque wrench with the correct toque setting to reassemble it or else it runs hot - my experience.

Bingo! My experience as well. So I guess I should slacken off the nuts a bit? Do you know what the torque settings should be, Charles?


-F_D

[charles]

Dear Eric,

A couple of years ago I did it - at that time I checked the torque settings on two 301's which motors were not opened before. I will go through my papers to see if I can find the figure.  If not, I have some possible unopened spare 301 motors that I can use to obtain the torque setting.  Hope this may help.

Kind Regards

Charles

[ara]

Thanks for the advice

[Family_Dog]

Thank you Charles, I wondered why that motor was running hot! Hope my torque wrench goes as low as that, otherwise I will purchase something suitable.


-F_D

[ara]

So the bearing has been cleaned and new grease applied. Next is the all the metal linking the various switches. I just have a question on the speed switch. Is it supposed to be able to turn 360 degrees or is there something wrong with mine? The speed does change as you turn it so that seems to be working 100%. I'll look at the diagrams but would first like to find out from other users before I try to look for a fault that might not exist.

[fdlsys]

No, it's only supposed to swing between the "+" and the "-" sings. if you lift the platter, you will see exactly what it does; moving the "brake" magnet over the motor.

[ara]

Thanks for that. It does move it but then you can turn it further and it moves it off again and start the "circle" again. So it theory it works but somehow it does not stop at the end.

*** EDIT ***

Sorted it the by re-setting the linking to switch. Their was lip that was not catching onto the body of the garrard that stop the knob. So it is working a okay now. So tomorrow I can start with the rest of the cleaning.

[Rudi]

the jeolousy level is sky high today, nice find.
i recently re-conditioned a forums members 301, even had to do a complete rebuild of the motor, if you want some help you are most welcome

[ara]

the jeolousy level is sky high today, nice find.
i recently re-conditioned a forums members 301, even had to do a complete rebuild of the motor, if you want some help you are most welcome

Thanks. Will bear that is mind. Any advice from the people here on what oil to use on the motor and also the motor is running completely silent so do I leave it or is it still better to add a bit of oil?

[charles]

Dear ara,

The original 301 manual only mention the term "oil" regarding lubricating the motor and does not give any specifications of it. Through the years I used Shell's handy oil to lubricate my 301's. Hope it will help.

Kind Regards

Charles