5
6.
MAINTENANCE
A.
CHANGING THE VACUUM PICKUP TUBE
In time, the velvet covering on the Vacuum Pickup Tube will wear. It is recommended that the
tube be replaced after every 200 cleanings (400 sides). A new tube with velvet covering can
be ordered from the factory.
To change the Vacuum Pickup Tube, proceed as follows:
1.
Removing the old tube:
Lift off the whole Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly (it just lifts straight up). Take care not
to lose the spring beneath the assembly.
Pull the Vacuum Pickup Tube out from the rest of the assembly. A slight twisting
motion while pulling may facilitate this.
2.
Inserting the new tube:
Handle the new tube carefully. Avoid touching the velvet covering.
Insert the new tube into the black housing with the velvet surfaces facing down. Insert
it only so far that the end of the slot is just very slightly to the outside of the edge of
the record. If necessary, use a twisting motion when inserting the new tube.
Now, check to make sure that the slot between the two velvet surfaces is pointing
slightly
backwards (away from you). If the slot points directly down, the vacuuming
action will not be complete. Rotate the tube as necessary.
Lift off the Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly once more (remember about that spring!)
Turn it over and look through the black housing. You should be able to see the end of
the Vacuum Pickup Tube.
Put the Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly back in place again and put a record on the
turntable. Clean the record following the normal procedure. When you are
vacuuming the fluid, make sure that the whole of the velvet surface is in contact with
the record.
7.
HW-16.5 CAUTIONS
When closing the cover the tube must be pointed at the center spindle of the record, if it
is pointed towards the rear you can crack the tube with repeated closures.
Never use more fluid than you need, fluid spilling over the edge of the record can damage
the machine. Clean up all spills as soon as possible.
Never use more than 25% alcohol by volume in solution to clean records. Use of VPI Fluid
will protect the life of your cleaning machine.
Use alcohol solution on vinyl records only! For all other records, use distilled water or a
non-alcohol record cleaning solution.
When cleaning shellac 78 RPM records, always use a different Vacuum Pickup Tube and
brush from the ones used for vinyl records. Many shellac records were made with a
carbide abrasive mixed in with the shellac.
