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Thread: Is a bent tonearm dangerous ? Technics MK2

  1. #1
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    Is a bent tonearm dangerous ? Technics MK2

    Hi everyone, glad to join this forum. I discovered vinyl recently, and decided to buy a used MK2 with no real knowledge of the device... and I found really interesting how some of you managed to restore severely damaged units. Mine was ok, but I took it apart to clean it, and I haven't touched the tonearm... until I had issues setting it up.

    First, it seemed to me the tonearm was bent (see pic here https://ibb.co/vvkVQhT).
    Then, Anti-skating was not working accordingly to the multiple "tonearm check" videos I could have seen (tonearm was not moving). While I was trying to fix it, I messed up with the bearing and lost the bearing balls... I tried to recalibrate it now it works fine, with no skipping issues.

    My question is : is it dangerous to keep my tonearm as it is ?
    Given that I can play records flawlessly, is it really necessary to replace it ?

    As a newbie, you guys have far more experience - that's why I'm asking how such a tonearm could behave on a long-term basis.

    Thank you !

    Last edited by Manu; 03-15-2019 at 05:12 PM. Reason: picture embedded

  2. #2
    u could make it work if youre just straight up mixing but it looks like it might create issues if youre trying to scratch. it might also add extra pressure on your vinyl grooves and might damage it. my suggestion is just buy a tonearm and replace it:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Technics-sl...8AAOSwk1hcg9LU

  3. #3
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    Thanks for replying. I consider replacing the tonearm tube at least.
    When I tried to recalibrate, I noticed there was a little bump under the pivot screw, over the hole (just after I lost the small bearing balls...)
    I don't really understand how this area is made... and where were the bearing balls.
    Could this also lead to damaging records ?

  4. #4
    i wouldnt risk it.

    Take a video and post what you see

  5. #5
    Well if you lost the bearings then there's no doubt that arm is officially broken, and you will want to get that put right.
    That the anti-skate doesn't work could be a broken anti-skate or could be because the arm is not moving as freely as it should.

    Bottom line here is that the turntable may seem to play fine, but if the arm does not ride the way it is supposed to (perfectly straight and smooth both vertically and horizontally) and if the forces on the arm are not correct (vertical force from weight and horizontal from antiskate).. then the end result will be extra wear on your vinyl, it will ruin your records and by the time you notice the damage will be done. So unless you are playing strictly timecode vinyl that can be replaced any time, I would not use that turntable until the arm is repaired properly.

  6. #6
    BanHammer™⚒️ Manu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by huchcorp View Post
    (just after I lost the small bearing balls...)

    I don't really understand how this area is made... and where were the bearing balls.
    At this point you need to give that deck to a repairs specialist.


    Could this also lead to damaging records ?
    That's even worse. Needle at an angle, and vertical/lateral forces flopping about. You're damaging the record every time you play one.

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