VPI oil requirements

[rlw3]

changed the thick old oil that was in my spindle well on my vpi tnt mk 5 with 10-50 synthetic. emailed Mike at vpi to find out how much to use. My table has normal old fashioned well the platter's spindle sits in. Mikes advice:
5 drops in the bottom of the well
2 drops along the side

new inverted bearings use thick white grease not thin oil

[Mikado463]

interesting...........no oil for me, IMO , the better the isolation the less the need. too much oil 'slows things down'

[rlw3]

Mike Fremers Analog Planet has a picture of someone who burnt his bearing completely out due to running with no oil. What makes you think the friction inducing of running no oil is faster than the right amount of oil? i wish you nothing but the best but fear for you. Please email your turntable manufacturer

[bmenary]

It's like running a car with no oil- Generally it ends badly-

[Mikado463]

valid 'point' rl, but I have a question, since the arm pivots on nothing but the point what is the reason behind oiling the walls ? perhaps a drop or two in the well to lubricate the area of contact but beyond that I see no reason for a well isolated set-up.

[rlw3]

Dave,
hi, first 2 points:
One, vpi sez use a total of 7 drops. which i dont believe could possibly cause drag.
Two, I dont know what lube is or is not used with your tonearm bearing. But we do know that your turntable rotates in an ongoing and sustained fashion that generates a lot more heat or friction than the slow gradual motion of a tonearm traveling inward. hope my response satisfies you. best regards

[Mikado463]

OMG........rl, I just had a major 'brain fart'.....all along I was assuming we were talking about the 'tonearm' pivot point...duhhhhhhhh...

my bad, yes indeed I do keep my platter bearing lubricated (and cleaned, every bit as important)

for the record I have a VPI Aries III with a 'super platter'

sorry for making a confusing mess out of this !

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

OMG........rl, I just had a major 'brain fart'.....all along I was assuming we were talking about the 'tonearm' pivot point...duhhhhhhhh...

my bad, yes indeed I do keep my platter bearing lubricated (and cleaned, every bit as important)

for the record I have a VPI Aries III with a 'super platter'

sorry for making a confusing mess out of this !

Makes more sense now

[rlw3]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

OMG........rl, I just had a major 'brain fart'.....all along I was assuming we were talking about the 'tonearm' pivot point...duhhhhhhhh...

my bad, yes indeed I do keep my platter bearing lubricated (and cleaned, every bit as important)

for the record I have a VPI Aries III with a 'super platter'

sorry for making a confusing mess out of this !

Dave,
If you see this please tell us about your spindle well cleaning regime. Also tell us about your tonearm, make etc and what you hear when you run it dry. thanks ray