Technics Turntable Hinge Tab Repair (SL-Q2) (SL-D2) and Others!

Comments · 33

• GU

  @Guy-Incognito-l3s · 3 years ago

  My dad got this TT in 1980, and I always loved it, but it ended up sitting in storage for a long time, unfortunately. He passed away in January and I wanted to fix up this turntable and all of his old records. It's been running great after a drop of oil on the motor, some cleaning, and a new headshell and cartridge, but the dust cover hinges broke and I had no clue how to fix that so this is very helpful

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• FR

  @francoismorissette9392 · 3 years ago

  Thank you so much for this!  Just did my SLQ2 a minute ago, following your video the whole way. Worked like a charm!  Super happy.

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• PM

  @pmcload · 4 years ago

  I installed these tabs myself a few days ago on my Technics SL-D202. Even though only one tab was broken, I replaced them both for a professional-looking job. The downside to using these China aluminum tabs is that there are drilled in a metric size; the hardware looks cheap; and there is no "backing plate" to go on the other side of the plastic cover. So I cut a small matching piece of ¾" aluminum (flat), and drilled them out to 3/16". I then used small #10-32 Allen head machine screws with acorn (cap) nuts on the inside. No ugly hardware showing, and backing plate helps to spread the load stress over a wider area. Using only screws, that is exactly where the next break will be! One suggestion: before marking the holes to drill the two through-holes, first square up the dust cover to EXACTLY where it needs to be, and tape it down on sides and front with 2' masking tape. This way, the cover won't shift as you bring the hinge up for marking....you have to work against the spring pressure on the hinge to get it up flat to the cover. The last thing you need is a loose cover while attempting to do this! Wish I could post a photo or two, but the Allen head screws and cap nuts look awesome....worthy of the Name "Technics".

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• CU

  @curt-7259 · 9 months ago

  Mine is an SL-D2. The kit and Dremel are here. Beautiful job with the repair!  Yes, you're right. A lot of us are going to want to do this. The video is superb. You really demonstrated the  craftsmanship and provided me with confidence to do this also. Thank you so much for producing the amazing and detailed video! 😊

• MA

  @mauriceprudhomme5296 · 3 years ago

  I think a backing plate with the kit would finish the look and put less stress on the lid. Maybe someone will come up with that in their kit. Good video

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• CA

  @carlfudger4528 · 3 years ago

  Dremel sells a little sawtooth blade attachment which might work better reducing the heat on the plastic, but excellent job either way!

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• VI

  @vintage-sounds · 4 years ago (edited)

  I've seen these for sale on eBay. There is a guy here in the UK makes a cruder alternative the width of the tab bent to the inside with 2 vertical positioned bolts. But I think there was a guy in the USA  made these for a good while. I think he made the mistake of including an image with all the dimension measurements, material thickness, hole distances etc and hey presto, the Chinese have just taken this drawing and copied his design! I was working on a D2 which I was contemplating putting these on but my Dremmel was elsewhere at the time so just elected to sell it as a loose lid. Good to see the process but quite a lot of work. For a top class job you could finish off hand sanding the surgery then go down the grades of wet and dry to about 2.5k, then polish with cutting compounds to a polished finish - but be prepared for a good few hours invested to get to that stage! Good to see the process in action and from the comments that you also did the opposite side.

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• TI

  @tirzahpetta3087 · 3 years ago

  That’s exactly the problem of my turntable!

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• IM

  @imfrcd · 4 years ago

  Nice job.

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• PO

  @Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez · 4 years ago (edited)

  I cast an imprint in clay of a good tab. Built up the broken tab with baking soda a crazy glue and filed and sanded it into shape. Worked perfectly. You could also wet sand and polish the flattened ares with 800 through 3000 and buff. Grest demo on the retrofit hinge tabs. Tedious work.

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• CA

  @carlhalvorsen7956 · 3 years ago

  My Technics SL-231 has a black plinth so I have sprayed the aluminum tabs mat black. I also used black M4 screws and nuts. Slightly larger than those supplied. I put the nuts on the back so they aren't visible.

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• RA

  @randyc8171 · 1 year ago (edited)

  My Dremel is battery powered which makes it much easier to use.I have the AC powered Dremel too but it lives in it's case all the time now.