Tone arm moving towards the spindle

[plasmoid]

I was balancing my tonearm today and noticed it automatically slowly moves towards the spindle(antiskate on 0). Is this normal or is it supposed to stay stationery?

 

[anilva]

Not to worry if the antiskate setting is set at the same level as vertical tracking force in grams. If the downward force is set at 1.5 grams, the antiskate should be set typically at the same level i.e. 1.5

Also check the turntable level. It should be horizontal measured with a spirit level.

Cheers

 

[plasmoid]

Not to worry if the antiskate setting is set at the same level as vertical tracking force in grams. If the downward force is set at 1.5 grams, the antiskate should be set typically at the same level i.e. 1.5

Also check the turntable level. It should be horizontal measured with a spirit level.

Cheers

But isn't the stylus exerting extra force on one of the groove walls if it automatically moves towards the spindle. Should I add some more antiskate to compensate? Have noticed adding 0.5 gms antiskate keeps the arm floating stationery.

 

[anilva]

Set it for equal force between vertical and lateral. The point is when the record starts spinning, the tonearm tends to get thrown out and hence the counter balance. On a stationary basis, it may appear that the cartridge will exert more pressure on one wall of the record, in reality, when it spins, it will work out correct.

Best is to read on these concepts to understand the basics and then you will enjoy your system best.

Cheers

 

[Hiten]

I was balancing my tonearm today and noticed it automatically slowly moves towards the spindle(antiskate on 0). Is this normal or is it supposed to stay stationery?

Set it for equal force between vertical and lateral. The point is when the record starts spinning, the tonearm tends to get thrown out and hence the counter balance. On a stationary basis, it may appear that the cartridge will exert more pressure on one wall of the record, in reality, when it spins, it will work out correct.

Best is to read on these concepts to understand the basics and then you will enjoy your system best.

Cheers

Tonearm with stylus on spinning record will not tend to get thrown out. Since tonearm is fixed at one point (Pivot) and stylus on spinning record is following a 'curved' path it will pull tonearm towards the center of the record. Antiskate counters this force. Since you are balancing your tonearm and antiskate is zero first your TT level needs to be corrected so as tonearm is stationary. Taking care of the stylus (Put on stylus guard if you have one. Lots of styluses have committed suicide for the lack of reciprocal love :lol Check by lifting slowly right side of TT.
Regards.

 

[plasmoid]

Tonearm with stylus on spinning record will not tend to get thrown out. Since tonearm is fixed at one point (Pivot) and stylus on spinning record is following a 'curved' path it will pull tonearm towards the center of the record. Antiskate counters this force. Since you are balancing your tonearm and antiskate is zero first your TT level needs to be corrected so as tonearm is stationary. Taking care of the stylus (Put on stylus guard if you have one. Lots of styluses have committed suicide for the lack of reciprocal love :lol Check by lifting slowly right side of TT.
Regards.

Thanks Hiten...I did as you said and the tonearm is floating stationery now(I always keep the guard on when not in use ) Have placed a wad of paper for now under the back right foot but dunno if this is accurate...need to get a spirit level.

Dunno if its my imagination but the audio quality seems to have improved quite a bit.:clapping:

 

[anilva]

Tonearm with stylus on spinning record will not tend to get thrown out. Since tonearm is fixed at one point (Pivot) and stylus on spinning record is following a 'curved' path it will pull tonearm towards the center of the record. Antiskate counters this force. Since you are balancing your tonearm and antiskate is zero first your TT level needs to be corrected so as tonearm is stationary. Taking care of the stylus (Put on stylus guard if you have one. Lots of styluses have committed suicide for the lack of reciprocal love :lol Check by lifting slowly right side of TT.
Regards.

My bad. My explanation is articulated wrongly. The headshell gets pulled in and the anti skate moves it the other way to keep the stylus in the centre of the groove.

Thanks for correcting.

Cheers.

 

[wlg]

First make sure the stylus is clean, a clogged stylus will move towards the center, use a spirit level to balance the TT, the headshell should be weighed properly if it still tends to move towards the center use the antiskate.

 

[plasmoid]

First make sure the stylus is clean, a clogged stylus will move towards the center, use a spirit level to balance the TT, the headshell should be weighed properly if it still tends to move towards the center use the antiskate.

Stylus is cleaned regularly and antiskate is working well (while balancing when I increase it, the tonearm moves outwards) so I am assuming it was a leveling issue. So do I check the spirit level on the plinth or platter?

 

[Hiten]

I always keep the guard on when not in use

That's good habit .
In the past I myself have ruined few styluses by mishandling.
Regards.

 

[jls001]

So do I check the spirit level on the plinth or platter?

Get yourself a spirit level. Most hardware stores have it and shouldn't cost more than a couple of hundred rupees.

Place it along front to back direction wherever most convenient (top of stationary platter or on top of the top plate), check for level and adjust footer (or use some folded piece of paper to bootstrap if the footer is fixed and not height adjustable). Repeat by placing spirit level in the left-right direction.

For adjusting azimuth, a bubble spirit level can be placed atop the headshell and azimuth adjusted (provided one has azimuth adjustment facility in the arm).