Tips on Replacing Felt on Turntables

[Moooperator]

[orthophonic]

Great instructions!!! I usually punch a 1\4" hole in the center of the felt after rough cutting it out for the turntable and place a 1\4" dowel in the turntable hole. After spraying glue on the turntable, I place the dowel in the center and place the felt over it with the dowel in the center. After pressing the felt down, remove the dowel and the round center hole is in the right place...

[Moooperator]

Thanks John, I think Wes uses that method too. Once I got in a hurry and forgot to cut my center hole when I placed it back on the machine. The records don't fit so well that way!

[zeppy]

Jan 9, 2009 5:58:46 GMT -6 orthophonic said:

Great instructions!!! I usually punch a 1\4" hole in the center of the felt after rough cutting it out for the turntable and place a 1\4" dowel in the turntable hole. After spraying glue on the turntable, I place the dowel in the center and place the felt over it with the dowel in the center. After pressing the felt down, remove the dowel and the round center hole is in the right place...

What kind of punch do you use to make the hole? I've usually cut the center hole out with a razor, but have never been too thrilled witht he results (they look a little ragged for my tastes...perhaps I'm just not good at it). I recally an a prior board someone posted what kind of punches they used, and I vaguely recall being interested in trying...now if I can just find who it was, all will be right in my world (well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but I would still like to find out).

[orthophonic]

I used a simple i\4" hole punch; you can get a set of several sizes for not a lot of money. I'd like to get a 1\2" one to punch out lid bumpers rather than using the glue-backed ones that I use now. They are thin and it takes two and they are not the exact color...

[estott]

For cast iron turntables with holes (like Columbia) isn't there a sheet of paper glued to the felt so the holes won't show on the front?

[Moooperator]

I use brown paper bag or kraft paper. I glue it to the turntable, trim it then glue the felt to that and trim again. Thanks for bringing that up with Columbias.

[Nipper]

Does anyone know were to buy them Punches from ?

[bluezebra]

I happened to stumble on a way to cut the center hole perfectly and without much effort. I was using drill bits to determine the proper size hole of the turntable. In this case it was a 3/8. After glueing the felt down, I decided to use the flat end of the drill bit to mark the edges of the center hole so I could use a blade to cut out the hole. I took the drill bit and started to twist it into the hole when suddenly I punched through. I knew I had messed up the felt when to my surprise I found the bit had cut the felt perfectly around the hole. I've done it now several more times so I know it wasn't just luck. Give it a try!

[Jim C.]

Apr 19, 2009 21:52:20 GMT -6 bluezebra said:

I happened to stumble on a way to cut the center hole perfectly and without much effort. I was using drill bits to determine the proper size hole of the turntable. In this case it was a 3/8. After glueing the felt down, I decided to use the flat end of the drill bit to mark the edges of the center hole so I could use a blade to cut out the hole. I took the drill bit and started to twist it into the hole when suddenly I punched through. I knew I had messed up the felt when to my surprise I found the bit had cut the felt perfectly around the hole. I've done it now several more times so I know it wasn't just luck. Give it a try!

BZ-
Just to clarify, you are using the "wrong end" of the drill bit to do this? The end that is intended to be inserted into the drill motor? If so, this sounds like a great plan.

Jim C.

[bluezebra]

Yes, you have it correct.
You introduce the flat end of the drill bit at the felt where the
hole is and start twisting. About five or six twists and the
drill bit will slip on in.
Perfect hole every time!

[jerryvan]

Here's another center hole tip.

Let me start by saying that this method is probably not best for use with cast iron turntables, although, with practice it may be safe.

Glue the felth on with no hole, (I use Eileen's Tacky Glue from the craft store, it's a white glue but will not soak through).

Find a ball bearing slightly larger than the turntable hole and place it on the felth just over where you want the hole.

Give the bearing a light rap with a small hammer and; Presto, a perfect hole, perfectly centered.

[Dan G]

Here's an easy center hole punch technique that I regularly use (Jerry's idea is great! I wish I had thought of it years ago) -

Wipe some carbon paper (or cigarette ash for that matter) around the spindle hole on the turntable. Place your felt on the turntable where you want it and then press down at the center-hole. Lay the felt with the impression side up on a piece of wood and use a .25 cal handgun shell (discharged of course :duh: ) and use it as a punch.


Dan

[alang]

Hole punch sets can be found both on amazon.com and eBay (and probably many other places). Just make sure to search for "hollow hole punch", otherwise it will only show the small hole punch pliers.
Andreas