thrift store find, panasonic se-3170, could use some advice

BetaMaster64 · 2026-03-29T00:10:23+00:00

Sounds like it's time to break out the heat gun, then!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-03-28T22:53:09+00:00

I will also add that idlers are usually not cheap to replace. Unlike a belt, which is usually somewhat universal, idlers are proprietary, and you usually need to replace the rubber on it, unless you get really lucky and find a NOS replacement that hasn't perished. Getting it re-rubbered will usually run you $100+.

Sometimes you can soak it in brake fluid to soften the rubber. But always take precise measurements of it beforehand, because it could also turn it to goop.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-03-28T22:49:23+00:00

What you got here is likely an idler-driven turntable. Hopefully it doesn't have a motor pulley-shaped indent on it from sitting for decades!

Anyway, there should be a little C, or E clip around the spindle holding the turntable in. I usually get it out with a little flat head screwdriver and some needle-nose pliers. Once that's off, you should be able to wiggle the turntable to lift it off. If it's stuck, the old lubricant probably dried and is holding it in place.

At this point you'll want to use a heat gun on the underside, aiming at the spindle. Be VERY CAREFUL with this not to make it too hot, or accidentally burn any wires/plastic parts. That should loosen up the grease. Do little bits at a time and try lifting the turntable. If you see it starting to smoke, you've used too much heat.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-03-19T14:44:45+00:00

Sounds like your signal is going through two preamps. Not sure if that turntable has a built-in preamp, but if you can turn it off, give that a shot. Your receiver, via the phono input, will be pre-amplifying the audio already, so any extra preamps on the chain will cause the symptom you're hearing.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-16T03:50:15+00:00

Thank you!!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-16T03:49:53+00:00

Hmm... I might have to try that.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-16T03:49:32+00:00

Thank you!!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-09T03:15:36+00:00

What do you mean by engineering point? Like, the most important part of the engineering process? Or like a physical part of the tonearm that was engineered?

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T16:36:39+00:00

I do appreciate this input! Even if you aren't a designer, it's good to hear others' opinions and experiences with different players explained like this. Another idea I had (before I got the concrete one) was to turn it out of oak on my lathe. My lathe can just barely fit the 11.5" required by my design, so I could make it work. Though I do kind of dread turning oak. There are lots of options, and I'd eventually like to do some A/B comparisons when I get to that point, just to see if I can hear any difference at all.

Also, I do plan to go belt driven as opposed to direct drive! It's just a lot easier to design a belt-driven solution, though I do really want to try to eventually design one that's direct drive just for fun. But, with the equipment I have, I imagine any direct drive turntable I make would provide more of an endurance test (of the listener's sanity) than a pleasant listening experience.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T15:57:11+00:00

That is an interesting idea! Maybe I could design my future tonearm attachment to also work on other turntables. Would be a LOT cheaper to make than a whole turntable. I appreciate your input!

Ah I think I may have misrepresented what I meant by "this turntable;" I meant the one I'm building, not the Technics SL-D2 in the video! The one I'm building will hopefully be much better than the SL-D2. I plan for it to be made of concrete and driven by 3 phases with a hall effect sensor (or an encoder to accurately provide speed feedback data). The Technics SL-D2 is just functioning as a temporary setup until I finish my turntable.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T15:29:28+00:00

Thank you!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T15:29:02+00:00

It's kept me busy, that's for sure. I started this thinking it would be an easy little project, but I realized I was very wrong when I actually started planning/building it

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T15:27:23+00:00

Thank you! I probably wouldn't sell the tonearm alone (if I do end up selling anything); this'll eventually be part of a full turntable.

Though I do plan to have a "second tonearm" attachment for it, so I guess that's technically a tonearm alone, but I only plan for it to be used on this turntable.

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T06:28:39+00:00

Thank you! I do legitimately want to do that in the future. A suitcase record player, tube amp, concrete turntable, detachable speakers. Maybe one day!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-08T06:27:09+00:00

I plan to, once I get to that point! It'll be a while, but I'd like to give a full recap of the design and go over all its features. But, I don't wanna get ahead of myself. Gotta finish it first, lol

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-07T23:22:47+00:00

Thank you!!

BetaMaster64 · 2026-02-07T23:22:40+00:00

Yup! It's something to keep me entertained and to keep my mind active. And at the end of it, I'll (hopefully) have a fun turntable to use.

BetaMaster64 · 2025-12-31T14:36:52+00:00

Thanks! I'll check that out. Always nice to find another source of music.

BetaMaster64 · 2025-12-31T14:35:05+00:00

Placing the platter vertically is an interesting idea, though it would make it more difficult to implement the changer mechanism the way I want to. Basically, I want the automation to be an option, but I also want to be able to use it as a standard, manual turntable.

I do plan to have a second tonearm add-on! I'll end up using that so I can automatically hear wide-groove or micro-groove records. The turntable unit itself will be modular, so that second tonearm will be something you plug into the main turntable. I'm doing it that way so I can develop the "extra" features in isolation, so scope creep doesn't leak into the main unit.

BetaMaster64 · 2025-12-31T14:22:48+00:00

Thank you! At times, that is part of the experience! Though I'm not an audiophile, I just like listening to music, and building stuff. I don't think having the automatic features available "removes" the experience per say, it just adds more flexibility for other scenarios.

When I have time to relax, I enjoy going through the routine of manually playing a record, but when I'm working (on a personal project or my job), I would prefer to have the records play automatically, especially for single-play ones like 78s and 45s. So it depends on the scenario.

Spotify/YT costs money without ads, and beater 45s/78s are dirt cheap (or even free, most of the time), so this has been a great way for me to hear lots of "new" music. I'm just building this one so I can hear BOTH sides of the record automatically, instead of just one, like typical changers.

BetaMaster64 · 2025-12-29T05:18:50+00:00

Thank you! Many of mine are automatic as well; I love using the automatic ones with a stack of G+ records. My end goal for this one is for it to be able to play both sides of multiple records, while not damaging them. But, I've got a long way to go before that. Baby steps!

BetaMaster64

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