Any way to clean that needle

RedSectorA

RedSectorA

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This cartridge has been in use for 5 years, as I don't have a microscope I never checked it's condition but assume it was close to the end of it's life hence my recent quest for a new cartridge. Anyhow I had an old Canon bellows FD and I recently purchased a Canon FD to Nikkor adapter so I figured I would take pic's of the cartridge while testing the bellows so I could better assess my cartridge's condition. This is what I found::disbelief:
View attachment Dirty needle-1.jpgView attachment Dirty needle-2.jpgView attachment Dirty needle-3.jpg
Interesting to note that no record touches my table without a thorough wash using Walker's 4 step wash. I use both a brush and Onsow's Zerodust to clean the needle every 2nd record. As I still can't assess needle condition is there any way I can get rid of the gunk without damaging the needle or it's time has come?
 
RedSectorA said:
This cartridge has been in use for 5 years, as I don't have a microscope I never checked it's condition but assume it was close to the end of it's life hence my recent quest for a new cartridge. Anyhow I had an old Canon bellows FD and I recently purchased a Canon FD to Nikkor adapter so I figured I would take pic's of the cartridge while testing the bellows so I could better assess my cartridge's condition. This is what I found::disbelief:
View attachment 1934View attachment 1935View attachment 1936
Interesting to note that no record touches my table without a thorough wash using Walker's 4 step wash. I use both a brush and Onsow's Zerodust to clean the needle every 2nd record. As I still can't assess needle condition is there any way I can get rid of the gunk without damaging the needle or it's time has come?
Click to expand...

There are many liquid products to do that general cleaning ..even an alchohol dip however; the best way to keep it clean after every album (don't laugh, this is tried and true non-damaging)

Mr. Clean Magic eraser. Use a small square. just lower the needle a few times onto the pad, you are good to go..NO FORCE...just lower , raise, lower raise.

here is one thread on it
Magic Eraser Stylus Cleaner

People will tell you I would NOT recommend this unless it was gospel truth.
 
ohbythebay said:
There are many liquid products to do that general cleaning ..even an alchohol dip however; the best way to keep it clean after every album (don't laugh, this is tried and true non-damaging)

Mr. Clean Magic eraser. Use a small square. just lower the needle a few times onto the pad, you are good to go..NO FORCE...just lower , raise, lower raise.

here is one thread on it
Magic Eraser Stylus Cleaner

People will tell you I would NOT recommend this unless it was gospel truth.
Click to expand...

I've read this and heard about this from Jeff too. Very cool - and inexpensive!
 
Mike said:
I've read this and heard about this from Jeff too. Very cool - and inexpensive!
Click to expand...

Its a pretty amazing thing...the micropockets clean without damaging - DO NOT WET / always dry

magic-erasers-get-rid-of-stains-2.jpg
 
Magic Eraser is a very good way to go. I know another high-end dealer that also subscribes to it's use. My local high-end shop never heard of it and had fits when I told them about it, oh well. Folks have been using the ME for keeping the stylus clean for a long time now and it works. The only complaints I've ever seen are from improper use.
 
I have a 1" cube of ME on each of my tables. Just a touch before each side is all it takes.
 
Thanks guys, I bought ME and used it tonight after each LP side. I'm afraid it's too encrusted but I guess the heat of needle on vinyl will melt the goo so the ME can do it's job. Will take pics in the morning and post.
 
RedSectorA said:
Thanks guys, I bought ME and used it tonight after each LP side. I'm afraid it's too encrusted but I guess the heat of needle on vinyl will melt the goo so the ME can do it's job. Will take pics in the morning and post.
Click to expand...

Sorry to disappoint, but that won't do it. I know someone who took a TT down to a University science department to test that theory. They use very sophisticated measuring equipment on it and found that while there is some heat generated, it's not enough to "melt the goo" or be measured by standard equipment such as an IR thermometer and such.
It sounds like whatever it is has attached itself firmly to the stylus otherwise the ME would have taken it after a few dips. You may need to get some stylus cleaning fluid and a stylus brush. (Do NOT brush with the ME or use any fluid with it)! Unfortunately, I can't recommend a good stylus cleaning fluid to you as I have not used any. That said, I've "heard" that LAST is good. This should clean it up. In the off chance it does not I recommend you replace the stylus.

~Eric
 
A jeweler magnifier (30X) is the first tool. ...Couple dollars. ...Maybe five.

* I used to use isopropyl alcohol (one drop or two) at the end of a Q-Tip (took the excess off by squeezing two fingers together), then using the magnifier, rubbing it against the stylus, and by making sure that I wasn't rubbing against the boron cantilever.
I used the other end of the Q-Tip to dry the excess (just safety precaution).
Then I used a special small "stylus cleaning carpet" to finish the job, and get rid of any moisture. ...About twenty dollars or so.
- Looking with the precision magnifier before and after was all I 'needled' to see.

BUT! Much later on I learned that you have to be extremely careful, and that it wasn't specially recommended.

=> Stylus Cleaner
 
You didn't try hard enough.

Rub it good this time with isopropyl alcohol, using that Q-Tip. ...And you want that stylus 'carpet' cleaner; the one you rub the stylus in reverse only (backward), to finish the job. ...Then your stylus should look brand new.
 
NorthStar said:
You didn't try hard enough.

Rub it good this time with isopropyl alcohol, using that Q-Tip. ...And you want that stylus 'carpet' cleaner; the one you rub the stylus in reverse only (backward), to finish the job. ...Then your stylus should look brand new.
Click to expand...

Not to disagree...BUT OUCH...the word RUB and STYLUS do not belong in the same sentence..LOL

The goo..you need a solvent...but it also depends on how the diamond is attached. A solvent can sometimes break that down ...but dips are recommended ...the ME is just to KEEP it clean ..not to clean it when its gunked...

I have the diskwasher too but hate the brush...too dangerous...but the fluid may help...
 
Rub, I mentioned 'rob' ;) because from that picture he provided he has to take some serious cleaning action, I believe.

He doesn't have to do what I used to do, but he can do a little bit of it to really get rid of that 'goo' stuff.
Then after that it's only a matter of regular daily maintenance (nice, soft, and easy). ...That is if his turntable is spinning albums every day.

True, you want to be very careful with that boron cantilever, and the contact point of its stylus attached to it.

- I'd say if the cartridge is less than a couple hundred bucks, go for it.
And if it is an expensive one (over $1,000); he wouldn't even be in that situation in the first place.

Hey, I'm just sharing what I learned myself over my 44 years in that fabulous hobby of ours. :)

P.S. No brush, but that special "carpet" especially for your stylus.
- For dust accumulation I simply use a mascara soft brush (very fine hairs) used by the high-end looking girls (top models). ...You can buy a set of those at your local drugstore (cheap sets are only five bucks; better ones are roughly between $20 and $40). ...Just ask your wife.

Also, instead of a Q-Tip I used those small white sponges, with plastic tubing, that girls use to clean the excess of makeup in their eyelashes or other parts of their faces (lips, ...). ...Your wife would know the exact term for them; me I just forgot, and I'm lazy to goggle right now.
 
Alright, your lucky day; I'm in the mood! :)

Here's some of the stuff I use myself (only for the stylus cleanup):

* The Eye Shadow 'Sponges' Sticks (Covergirl Q-Tips for mascara). ...They come in various colors, but that's what I use, plus a drop or two of highly concentrated isopropyl alcohol mix (66% 'isopro' alcohol, and 33% distilled water):
China_Eye_Shadow_Sponge_Stick2009111915540410.jpg


IMG_5557.JPG



* The Eyeshadow Brushes Kit (mainly for dust, with soft action, and comes in various quality of hairs):
brushes_set2.jpg


* Track Mate (the top part is that special black 'carpet' to clean the stylus that I was referring to before):
trackmate.jpg

______________________

-> Hope it helps now with those pictures. ...And that is some of the stuff I use myself for all my styluses.
And the 30X jeweler magnifier is also an indispensable tool. ...Do you need a picture for that one too?

* Here:

30x-18mm-Jewelry-Loupe-Magnifier-Sc3018.jpg



*** It is AMAZING all the stuff required for proper LP playback and all the part's maintenance related to a turntable: cartridge, stylus, tonearm, phono preamp, motor(s), speed accuracy, anti-vibration "delta-plane" table, tangential equilateral balance, vertical and horizontal and diagonal azimuth, tracking force, anti-skating counter pressure, depressurization, air pumps, air wash, bladders, three thousands different type of chemical 'weapons' of inert destruction (liquids), five thousands 'canon' brushes, and all that analogue TT jazz!!! ...It truly looks like an arsenal big enough to start World War Four!!!! ...And I'm truly serious too!
...And just ask a guy like Michael Fremer, before he gets going!

But it's all fun anyway. :)
 
Holy crap! Someone has been busy, now will have to steal my wifees brushes to try it out :rolleyes: (and no I don't have any myself). In all fairness I think I can't look at a brush or pad anymore, just spent three days of my vacations detailling my cars and yes they look good.

Did start the work with the isopropyl alcool on the needle yesterday, started off by having 2 negroni's first to calm my nerves, going back and forth on a needle is something I'm really not used to do. It did a good job as you can see but there is still some goo on it, will continue probably tomorrow or better yet on Saturday when it's suppose to rain. Did improve the sound quite substantially, never would have guessed :disbelief:.

The Hyperbrush, never seen it around here but I'm sure it can be found as there's some French on it :snicker:!

View attachment Dirty needle-5.jpg
 
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