Mapping out the project

 

 

Everyone has their own way of doing things, so I can only tell you mine. If you have a different approach to it, write in and let me know – it would be interesting for other Lenconians.

 

Before you even touch your treasured turntable, you should go get a coffee and sit down with paper and pen! Do this when you’re feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, not when you’ve had a hard day and are feeling tired.

 

Try to categorise the design plan so that you are tackling one area at a time. Leave room for rough sketches, too. I’d suggest downloading this useful A4 project-planner in PDF format which may help you to get organised.

 

DOWNLOAD NOW (Right-Click and "Save Target As")
  

Some find it unusual, but I always start a project by working backwards. I get the final image in my head and then start buying the bits and bats. A great example of this was when I bought my Lenco GL75. Its not even arrived (at the time of writing), and yet I’ve already got the stainless-steel plinth handles, the new plinth material, the plinth spirit-levels, new tonearm and other items, ready to go. I know exactly what I’m about to do as soon as the deck arrives and have got everything needed, ready to start work immediately.

 

Its important to make sure that you can definitely obtain the materials required to complete your design. There’s nothing worse than having a design in mind, starting work on it and then finding out that some materials are unavailable. This normally leads to compromises, which will invariably result in dissatisfaction.

 

Another important consideration is time. Depending on where you live, you might have to consider things as fundamental as the weather! During winter months in cold countries, it might be preferable to leave the project alone until Spring comes around. Of course this depends largely on the facilities available to you. If you have a well heated, well lit and well ventilated garage, you can work on your project whenever it suits you. Others will have no option but to work outdoors and this will limit your access times to the project. Perhaps you can ask a friend with a garage for permission to complete your work there.

 

Any half-finished project will look like a pile of rubbish to your spouse and kids!! So don’t leave anything to chance – if you are gonna leave unfinished work laying around, place “Do Not Throw Away” stickers on it!

 

Before we finish with this section, lets just remind ourselves just how important it is to take as many photos as possible of the turntable, just before stripping down the components! If you get confused about how something goes back together, you can always refer back to these photos. If you haven't got any - you could be in trouble!

 

Hey, and don’t forget your family want a piece of you too, so don’t become a Lenco Hermit!