Record cleaning machine

A High Quality, Low Cost Record Cleaner

By Chris

Build your own high quality, easy to use record cleaner. This design can be built for less than $50 and will remove at least as much grunge as the expensive VPI record cleaners. The original concept was developed by Jay Amble.

Here is a list of the parts for the record cleaner. A used canister vacuum cleaner. Get one with fairly strong suction. Hand held units generally are not powerful enough. I found a good vacuum at a thrift store for only $4. A hose and crevice tool. These will often be found with with the vacuum but if not they are easy to find and cheap. An inexpensive used turntable. Only the bearing and platter will be used and almost any turntable can be used. Just make sure that the platter is fairly sturdy. I used an old Pioneer table from a thrift store that cost me $8. A nylon VPI record cleaning brush. This is the most expensive single item ($25 from Audio Advisor). A record clamp. This can be easily constructed from MDF or acrylic. Record cleaning fluid. See the formula below. A squirt bottle for applying the cleaning fluid.

The vacuum cleaner may be used as is. I suggest removing the vacuum bag to improve suction. The small volume of liquid pulled from the records quickly evaporates so nothing needs to be done to trap it. In my case I wanted a one piece assembly so I dissembled the vacuum and embedded the vacuum motor into my record cleaner box. This also had the unexpected benefit of being considerably quieter. The turntable may also be used as is or it can be integrated into a record cleaner box as I have done.

2 Responses to “Record cleaning machine”

1. tvaddict Says:
   September 15th, 2007 at 15:14

   I made this rcm from these specs exactly. Im wondering if the vacuum crevice tool is supposed to touch the record when vacuuming? Of course I have the velvet applied to the crevice tool. It is a little tough to hold the vacuum close to the record without hitting it or being too far away and not sucking any liquid. Any info would be appreciated,thanks.

2. iarroyog Says:
   January 7th, 2008 at 23:33

   Where can i found the vacuum accesories??? any website to buy these accesories?
   Thanks

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