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DIY cartridge re-tip #2

50.182.190.30
Posted on August 14, 2015 at 14:38:32
ringwear
Audiophile

Posts: 507
Joined: May 3, 2010







My first cantilever break happened last night on a nude DL-103. Having just had a run at a DIY attempt at re-tipping I have a little experience, enough to encourage me to forge ahead. I read some post online and the use of a splint made from a cactus spike to align and secure the new tip is the approach I am taking.

A generic AT hyperelliptical/shibata I hope will make it passed all my stumblings.

Above is a couple pictures of the 103 with the cactus spike in place.

When the replacement arrives I will cut it to size, slip it onto the spike to sight align, the reseat with some kind of adhesive. A slow setting gel that resist capillary flow is what I will try.

I am open to any/all suggestions from experienced DIYers. I am posting here out of pure enjoyment.

 

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DIY cartridge re-tip #2...Nice Splint !..., posted on August 14, 2015 at 16:13:32
Interstage Tranny
Audiophile

Posts: 3063
Location: Eastern
Joined: October 4, 2006
 Go On ! Forge Ahead ! U R doing excellently ! I saw the cactus splint method at Vinyl Engine...it makes great sense too. Cactii splines are very lightweight and should absorb the glue nicely. Best of all, their thin tips fit inside the stubs that hold the thin, original cantilever(original 103 cantilevers are thin).

The added mass of glue and the cactus "splint" is a minor consideration, but use glue sparingly. Which glue are you trying this time ? I have good luck with a very small dab of Crazy Glue, applied with a pin/needle or toothpick tip. Squeeze out a dab on an unpainted metal or plastic piece of scrap. Wait for the Crazy Glue to get a bit tacky; only a bit. Otherwise, when you apply it, it wicks too quickly. DO NOT reapply after it dries. Crazy Glue will "choke" the joint and crack the existing layer of glue. You only have one shot at "stardom"...getting it right...

Retipping or Recantilevering is not rocket science. The chore requires patience, steady hands, good eyes with the ability to see plumb, square and level plus the right tools to get the job done correctly. Obviously, the "official" retippers have extraordinary optical equipment; plus a nice supply of cantilever/stylus assemblies on hand. Imagine the actual retipping aspect: Picking up the tiny stylus with just a tweezer, transporting it, then inserting it properly into a drilled out hole without it springing free is not easy; at all. A good physical fit is imperative, before the glue app. It is meticulous and very tedious. Once that tip springs free or drops, you probably cannot find it again...

So, grafting a known good cantilever/stylus on an existing stub of a broken cantilever is where it's at. Your first attempt was a brave one. You slid one cant over another. In time, you can learn to "score" around the existing cant(if there is one), then "snap" it rather than cut it (cutting will require "rounding" out the tubing without dimpling it...tough trick). Then, you can size up the needed "new" good cant/sty assembly, score it, snap it, trial fit it, remove it and/or glue it...while assuring it is plumb, square and level.

The trickiest duty is holding and forming the aluminum cantilever without crimping, dimpling damage. Reforming the front shovel of the cantilever for proper angle is tough and requires care. The slightest extra force ruins it quickly. If you want to get "into it" you will have to practice, practice and practice some more. Obtaining sacrificial styli parts is easier than spending big bucks. Practice using cheap carts and styli, graduating to higher quality as your work merits. I started practicing with 78 styli. They are 3 mil wide instead of .7 mil wide. Then, I graduated to bonded .7 mil styli. Procuring a stock meant buying lots of sacrificial carts and styli lots. Drilling through a cantilever, with a #80 drill is no mean feat. Again, that plumb,square, level ability is tested over and over if you want to really retip. The drill hole on the cant shovel must go in just right. You cannot have a loose fit for the stylus; it must be snug. If you rely solely on the glue, the glue will "let go" in time, traversing the squiggly grooves...Practice, practice and keep on practicing...

One thought that might encourage you or any lurkers. No matter what fantastic optics you can afford or come up with, no matter how beautiful that tweezer tip you have, "retipping" still relies on manual dexterity and the ability to see plumb, level and square...Good Luck and ENJOY !

 

RE: DIY cartridge re-tip #2, posted on August 14, 2015 at 17:21:40
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 Musical Surrounding did something very similar. They got a boron shafted cantilever and stuck it into a hollow aluminum shaft.

A possible aid. Insert cantilever into correct position first and then apply a very thin glue . The capillary action will suck up the glue and you need apply a very small amount. Don't use the gel type super glues. Some hobby/craft stores have ultra thin or even catalyzed super glues which may offer better control for what you are doing.

Lets us know

 

two mistakes, posted on August 14, 2015 at 19:57:02
ringwear
Audiophile

Posts: 507
Joined: May 3, 2010
 i reapplied glue on my first attempt so form what your notes say, that was a mistake. And I used too much glue.

I can see straight. It is the patience that has to be garnered. What I try to do is to stay 'in the process' rather than think about getting the job done. - sort of zen out on it.

Funny but that splint shot out of my tweezers and I just shook my head thinking there she goes. damn thing landed right in front of me. what luck.

it is a funny little job. it allows you to do what it allows. not what i want to force to happen.

i think i want to make sure the cactus needle is fully secure within the aluminium wall or it will rattle. so should i try to soak the cactus needle in glue then slide it in? I think i will practice glueing bits to get the feel of dry time.

I spend time just sitting and staring at the work waiting for it to talk to me. to give me direction. that must sound crazy. but here i am splicing little tubes together so saving face is already lost.

 

capillary action, posted on August 14, 2015 at 20:01:39
ringwear
Audiophile

Posts: 507
Joined: May 3, 2010
 the only worry with capillary action is that i don't want it to run up to the suspension.

 

RE: capillary action, posted on August 14, 2015 at 20:07:06
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 try a little wax at the cut end or perhaps slightly above the cut end.

 

check [nt], posted on August 14, 2015 at 20:11:33
ringwear
Audiophile

Posts: 507
Joined: May 3, 2010
 .

 

You're starting something new here, posted on August 15, 2015 at 05:01:37
violinist3
Audiophile

Posts: 2922
Location: San Diego California
Joined: August 7, 2003
 It will be interesting if this will generate more people getting interested.

It would be really nice if you could purchase a diamond/cantilever for DIYers

It is certainly not for everybody since it requires some skills.

 

"it requires some skills.", posted on August 15, 2015 at 10:39:43
volunteer
Audiophile

Posts: 5666
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: January 7, 2012
 Damn! That leaves me out. :-(


-Wendell

 

Ebay retipper, posted on August 15, 2015 at 10:44:43
Cuernavaca
Audiophile

Posts: 878
Location: NW
Joined: December 23, 2011
 I've seen this seller's retipped Denons for some time, he does sell them and has 100% positive feedback.

Practice makes perfect! At my age I will let someone else do all the practicing.

TR
"I've never owned a firearm, but I do have an attack parrot!"

 

RE: Ebay retipper, posted on August 15, 2015 at 12:23:57
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005

I have seen his ads on Ebay. He uses bonded styli that's why I have shied away from his work...

 

RE: DIY cartridge re-tip #2, posted on August 15, 2015 at 12:28:38
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005

I must say, you are very brave. What do you use to cut the very delicate cantilever?

 

RE: DIY cartridge re-tip #2, posted on August 15, 2015 at 14:24:32
ringwear
Audiophile

Posts: 507
Joined: May 3, 2010
 straight razor. slow and steady.

 

"cantilever rolling" anyone? NT, posted on August 15, 2015 at 20:58:51
marc g.
Audiophile

Posts: 3330
Location: New Orleans
Joined: October 14, 1999
 .
voolston - audiophile by day, music lover by night!

 

I can see it now, posted on August 15, 2015 at 21:07:47
violinist3
Audiophile

Posts: 2922
Location: San Diego California
Joined: August 7, 2003
 A whole new niche market for DIY cantilevers.....alignment guages......precut cantilevers,nude diamonds.

'FOR ThE ADVENTUROUS FEW'

 

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