A-series bedplate tilt

[gibsonj]

Hi folks

I understand the early A-series DD machines were designed to allow the bedplate to tilt up. Can anyone enlighten me on what needs to be disconnected/unattached first?

I'm assuming the design was to allow for easier servicing/maintenance, but it sure seems from looking at my A-200 that some things (like the horn linkages, for example) would need to be unattached.

Just curious about the process if anyone has ideas. Thanks as always!

John

[Valecnik]

Hi John,

Not only were they designed to tilt up, if you lay the machine on it's back it's likely to tilt up all by itself and scratch up the bedplate, the inside of the lid and damage the works.

Removing the bedplate is not hard to do. What becomes a bit harder is getting the thing out without damaging or scratching as you go.

If I start, somebody can probably augment these instructions as I have not done this in awhile.

First take out the crank, remove the reproducer and platter, pretty obvious I guess.

Make sure the horn is all the way to the right in the parked position.

On the top of the pivot post there should be a screw and a knurled nut. Remove them and pull the lever used to drop to swing, drop the reproducer up and out of the pivot post. This will take your emerency stop with it so thats out of the way when you lift up the bedplate. It will also case the horn to drop back as thier is no longer anything holding it on the top.

Now carefully remove the trim ring.

Now comes the hard part:

The bedplate and motor is hinged on the right front and back. Lay some towels all around the inside of the cabinet to avoid scratching the frame as you lift it up. It's heavy.

As you lift up on the left side and it pivots up that fan shaped threaded part which pulls the weight of the reproducer and horn across the tunrtable will catch on the threaded gear. You need to gently move around it. That's the only way I can describe it.

Finally with both hands, you need to lift simultaneously up and to the left to free the bedplate from the hinges where it sets.

Whew. So the bottom line is I would not remove it anyway unless you are planning to ship it on it's back (or ship any distance standing).

Hope that helps.
Bruce

[gibsonj]

Bruce

Thanks for that description. I'll need to be looking at my A-200 as I read your instructions. Guess I'm more a visual person.

I'm not planning any moves--just am beginning the process of cleaning this one up, and wanted the works out of the cabinet. Because of the tilt capability, I suspected there was a preferred method of removal.

John