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Posted by Cheetah86 on Jun-02-2006 19:48:

Technics 1200 Platter Stuck

Hi, I just bought a pair of used Technics SL-1200MK2's off of ebay. On one of them I will need to replace the 45 button, because it's jammed(not a hard fix), and the other I had to reattach the power knob that I accidentally knocked off. Before flipping over the TT to start dissassembling it, I tried to remove the platter because that's the first step in any Technics dissassembly procedure. However, I tried a lot to get it off and I couldn't do it so I went ahead and took it apart from the bottom and fixed the knob. Now, I need to get to the circuit board under the platter to adjust the pitch range. I also tried to remove the platter of the other TT and it is also stuck.

This may be from the way they were shipped, instead of removing the platter, the shipper put hard styrofoam under the dust cover holding the platter down and then wrapped up the TT's like that before packaging them.

Is there any way to remove the platter from the bottom? There are security screws holding the platter onto something underneath, maybe if I undo this I can get to everything under it. I'm also almost tempted to clamp the TT down to something stationary and pull the platter off as hard as I can that way. Or, I can just take it to a technics repair shop although I'd really prefer not to do this because I just spent a lot of money on these and don't want to spend too much more. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions with something like this? The spindle is supposed to come up with the platter, right? And, are the platters supposed to just come up without anything else?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by T-Soma on Jun-03-2006 00:10:

Iv only turntable open once since i lost the power switch.
(All my screws are threaded and stuffed, only problem with the one i baught) The platter should come off from the top when you pull hard enough because its held down by some serious magnets but it shouldnt require enough force to lift the whole deck.
Techs are fairly simple to pull apart and mod etc but if there is something seriously broken and your not sure best thing to do is to take it for a service and repair. Atleast they will clean it and such.

Posted by sr126 on Jun-03-2006 01:36:

cheetah, the spindle does not come off w/the platter. there are no screws or anything securing the platter to the rest of the turntable.

i always put my fingers thru the holes on top of the platter, and pull straight up. not at an angle, because you don't want to damage the spindle which i think was part of the motor.

it does take some force, but not so much that you end up lifting the turntable off the desk or anything like that.

i hope the shipper didn't end up damaging your table due to his improper packaging technique. what he did was just plain stupid, especially considering how shippers like UPS totally abuse packages.

even if your turntable is ok, you should punch him in the face for being a moron.

Posted by T-Soma on Jun-03-2006 08:32:

Take pics and even label the problems with arrows and such.
Im sure if you do this someone will be able to give you a solution pretty swiftly.

Posted by skot_e on Jun-04-2006 02:15:

Hope these help. As you can see there are 3 holes you'd be able to access the underside of the platter, however they are not directly opposite each other, and so it may be difficult to pry off from underneath.

Posted by skot_e on Jun-04-2006 02:16:

Sorry bout the size. didn't check before upload.

Posted by on Jun-06-2006 02:17:

Cheetah.. DO NOT try and pry from the bottom.. OMG..Stupid Idea

Seriously.. the only thing holding platter down is those green magnets you can see in the pic above.. and they are fucking tough. I replaced the LED lights (which is a whole other issue) with DannyO last year, and we have a bitch of a time getting the platters off.. But with some elbow grease and effort.. they do pull out.

Your not going to damage anything..

Posted by Cheetah86 on Jun-06-2006 21:49:

Thanks for the replies guys, I realized I couldn't get it out from the bottom since theres a cover under the platter covering everything under it. If I can't get it soon I'll post some pics of the spindle, it appears that there might be something there(glue?) holding it to the platter, or maybe it's just dirty. I've been pretty busy the last few days so I haven't gotten a good chance to play around with them but I hope to get them up and running soon. I'll try to get an update soon, either way.

Posted by Events@Spec on Jun-07-2006 20:14:

I just ripped it up and the spindle came out with it. If you have an older table I believe the spindle comes out with it.

I have a really old one and I see pics of people having their spindles say in the turntable, but mine comes right out.

I've noticed no difference in performance when put back on, still syncs the same, still does everything the same as always.