Pioneer PL-570: Timing Motor Gear Repair (Part 1)

A common issue in this deck is that the small timing motor which operates the automatic tonearm functions, breaks plastic gears within the transmission box attached to it.

[@mcgjohn22]

pretty interesting. I would think the guys at Pioneer who designed this never thought the table would still be in service 50 years later.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Worst case scenario......
1) take an imprint of the gear in modeling clay.
2) remove and rotate the broken area to a section of the good teeth pattern.
3) rebuild the broken teeth by adding super glue and baking soda. Tiny tiny amounts at a time.
4) file to the correct profile.
The super glue / baking soda trick works. It is hard enough to chisel, file and sand. I use this trick regularly to fix all sorts of things. I have mastered the technique at this point.
As for the cracks in the upper surface....same deal. Force backing soda residue into the cracks and add super glue. It will stabilize the fracture.
This of course, if and only if, a replacement can not be obtained. My experience with 3 D printed parts is very mixed. A) the final product is not refined enough...even via scans and B) the materials are either too soft or too brittle.
I am very interested to see the outcome of this repair. If it works adequately.....the product could be mass produced and sold online.
Good fortune

[@TurntableGuy]

2 won't work as the broken gear rotates more than once.

[@emilspec1227]

​@@TurntableGuyI agree with @TimeForTacos, degrease it, take an imprint of the teeth with modelling clay, fit broken teeth into the imprint and fill in with CA and baking soda and you're done.

[@mr.nobody5422]

Heartbreaking