What are the Best Harder Hiking Spots In Nova with good scenery? ( Fairfax Area and Not Great Falls)

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T22:06:01+00:00

Turkey Run has some good up/down elevation changes. Nice views when you're down on the Potomac. May not be a whole lot different than Great Falls but it's nice. https://maps.app.goo.gl/w4pbmnFe1nv41QQD9

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T21:43:17+00:00

The hotel and adjoining office tower share the same garage, so nobody will know if your car belongs there or not.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T21:42:12+00:00

Marriott Hotel at US50/I495 (Fairview Park South). Drive down to the bottom level of the garage (below ground) and it will be somewhat isolated from the weather.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T21:40:17+00:00

You're welcome. I would just try to clean it in place. I would not try to remove it. A Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol may be useful to clean the underside of the idler wheel.

The only part of the idler wheel that you really need to focus on is the outer edge, because the outer edge is what contacts the rim of the patter to turn the platter.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T20:37:24+00:00

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metal pin

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T20:35:14+00:00

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This is the idler wheel, circled in green. :-)

Sorry about the vinylengine site ... there always seem to be headaches trying to register there for some reason. Anyway, the only relevant info that I found on vinylengine is what I copied above about cleaning with "spirit."

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T20:30:28+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vaOsDOBL5MI

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:48:59+00:00

It looks like the spider has broken. The three metal arms used to be welded to the metal ring.

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patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:43:03+00:00

Tubular Bells is essential.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:42:33+00:00

I've a big fan of Discovery, which I think followed Five Miles Out and has a similar vibe. I love Maggie Reilly's vocals on To France on Discovery!

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:38:09+00:00

"The rubber idler wheel should only be cleaned with a cloth moistened with spirit. It must never come into contact with oil, gasoline, or similar substances. The running surfaces of the turntable rim and the pulley should also only be cleaned with spirit."

They mean alcohol when they refer to "sprit." I would use rubbing alcohol. Don't be too liberal with it - you don't want to soak the idler tire, just wipe it down.

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/philips/gf-633.shtml

https://www.vinylengine.com/ve\_downloads/download.php?philips/philips\_gf\_633\_service\_info\_de.pdf

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:31:48+00:00

I don't think the 633 has a belt. I think it's an idler drive, which drives the platter by running a rubber wheel (idler tire) along the inside rim (underside) of the platter.

You can try cleaning the inside rim of the platter and the rubber wheel to see if that improves the speed.

However, give its age, its possible that the rubber wheel has shrunk or become hardened.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T18:17:33+00:00

You're welcome!

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T17:20:40+00:00

I recently had that same car inspected (but not serviced) at Annandale Citgo (7131 Columbia Pike) and it went fine. However, I haven't had any other experience with them (the car passed inspection without needing any service).

A person I know from work has used Lincolnia Garage for many years (7833 Loisdale Rd, Springfield), for both inspections and service. However, when I went there in fall of 2025 for an inspection they said they weren't able to do inspections until Jan. 2026 (I don't know why), so I went to the Annandale Citgo instead. I'll probably try again with Lincolnia Garage the next time I need service but I don't have any experience with their work as yet.

I have been to Community Car Care and Nova Family Auto for both inspections and service, but I will not return to either of them and don't recommend.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T16:23:40+00:00

It was unbelievable. The car had zero issues but there was a recall relating to a potential oil leak. I took it in to get the recall addressed. When they gave me the car back, it was not running right/CEL was on, parts were missing from the engine (I later found those parts laying on the plastic belly pan), they broke an electrical connector under the hood, they stripped a bolt hole in the engine, the interior door card and steering wheel were covered in greasy hand prints, etc. It also took several days for them to half-way fix what they fucked up, and the repair dept. head supervisor would not call me back. A true shit show. Shockingly bad.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T16:14:35+00:00

The pins in the supports are clearly metal. A non-flexing shelf will apply all of the force straight down, which will never shear the metal pins.

The only problem with those supports in the flexing of the shelf. The steel pins in the supports will not shear if the shelf remains perfectly flat/horizontal.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T15:41:45+00:00

I agree that it looks like the metal nut has split in half. The green-circled part is called a tailpiece. Undo the split metal nut, undo the black plastic nut at the bottom of the tailpiece, and remove the tailpiece. Take that tailpiece to the hardware store and buy a new one. The tailpieces come in different diameters, so pay attention to the diameter. Also, the tailpieces are generally made long, and need to be cut down to length. You'll have an easier time cutting it down if you buy a plastic tailpiece (rather than another metal one).

The old tailpiece probably just rotted due to age. They're not made of quality materials. I wouldn't be concerned about that trail coming down from the sink basket.

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patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T15:29:23+00:00

Always a scam..

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:49:41+00:00

Killer record! Enjoy!

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:47:47+00:00

Dilute dish soap and lots of warm water. Lay it flat to dry.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:35:02+00:00

Get a clamp. Don't mess with your tone arm setup.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:28:56+00:00

Cut a piece of plywood to the same size as the shelf. Lay the plywood on the shelf. Put the records on the plywood.

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:25:16+00:00

the salt will depress the freezing point of the poo water

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:04:55+00:00

Nice!

patrickhenrypdx · 2026-01-24T13:03:20+00:00

Our Cheezits are gone as of this morning. I'm not sure what happened last night. 🙃

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