Thanks, this helped me identify and solve a problem with my 80s Rega Planar 3. The ball bearing was missing, so I cleaned and replaced everything as you demonstrate here and now it's running perfectly.
One problem that can cause speed issues with early Planars, is if the plastic belt pulley becomes unglued from the motor spindle shaft. also, on early decks, it's a good idea to replace the rubber belt which suspends the motor.
well,,,, oh crap. I watched theLP12 video on motor speed problems as homework for buying a "virgin" LP12 to go with the 1988 P3 i've had since new. I became so enthused with fixing the LP12 to spec that I also decided to tune up the Rega. So I've put in tooooo much oil at 0-20 weight and, at the suggestion of someone I doubt will be heeded again, a couple of drops on the motor spindle. Wish I'd done my homework ahead of the enthused romp on the Rega. Time to undo my mistakes. ps- I've subscribed. The videos from cheshire audio are very good. the chatter is filled with useful pearls rather than ego based fluff. TX. pps- how much damage have I potentially done with the motor spindle lube?
Your method is a bit different from the official Rega instructions. They tell you to remove the brass bush from the plinth, then put a quantity of the solvent directly into the bearing, and shake it up and down to clean. To re-oil, they say you should tilt the bush at an angle so the two drops of oil run down one side of the bush, then to insert the hub and let it settle without spinning it. Only once it bottoms out, do you then spin it to spread the oil.
Very informative! I was not aware of some of the details mentioned here. Watching the video certainly makes one admire the Rega's simplicity. What is that stand used here? Is it a Rega product or is it a custom affair? Looks very nice. 03:46 Would you recommend gently heating up the bearing sleeve prior to inserting the spindle to avoid this trapped air cushioning effect? e.g. by using a pre-heated gel pad or a hair dryer? Obviously must take care to keep the temperature low enough to be able to hold the bearing otherwise it may introduce other problems, like getting the bearing unstuck from the plinth etc. so a gel pad might be the preferred medium. 05:25 Just wrapping the screwdriver tip in sellotape would prevent scratching the sleeve - it will still attract the steel ball. 06:27 Aren't plastic Q-tips illegal now in the UK? Can you still buy them in shops? 08:17 If the oil breaks down then the ball will start sticking and that will cause bearing damage in extreme cases.
Very informative video - I have a P3 running slightly slow at around 32.6 (measured via phone app and no PSU). It's about 3 years old. Should I consider cleaning/ re-oiling of the platter bearing? Many thanks.
Nice video. How long time did it take the spindle to set? Days, hours or minutes :-) I'm asking because a friend of mine has the recordplayer and the plan is to change the capatitor, lubricate the bearing, change the belt and change the pickup. :-)
Great video, thanks. You mentioned gearboxoil, but i could not understand what grade and mineral or full syntetic. Maybe you can write it down here. Have a great day.
0:54 "this does not cause speed issues" - OH YES IT CAN. After some years of service the oil can 'dry' out (remember early Planars used mineral oil) and become sticky and in bad cases definitely causes strain on the motor and belt and can cause the platter to run slow. As a Professional Engineer (so I know a bit about oils) and 40+ year RP3 owner who has had this problem (many years ago so mine had mineral oil) I'm not gonna let that slide by. Defo summat to watch for if the bearing hasn't been serviced for may years.
Better late than never! The best upgrade for a cheap Rega is to buy a Tangospinner or Groovetracer subplatter! It really makes a difference! I bought one for my old Rega P3 and moved it over to my Rega P5! First i tried the original «plastic» subplatter on the P5, but the Groovetracer was a real upgrade there also! Speed will be improved, together with more dynamic than before, because of less vibration from subplatter.
I would say use some Jewellers clay or blu-tach after cleaning it, if there's any particles of metal or anything else just cleaning out probably won't get rid of it all. Just cut the end of the earbud off and wrap a bit around the stem and push it down you don't want it Tight going in
@@cheshireaudio I was fortunate to have been given a pair recently. It was me or the tip.. the chap said. Refoamed the woofers and they seem great. Any recommendations for the 6uf crossover cap? .... must need new ones after 40 years?
They are excellent, they were my first proper Hifi speakers around 1980, so I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for them... the caps are usually fine, I’ve never needed to change any
Thanks for this video it was very helpful as I have just been given a planar 3 with the r200 s shaped arm so pre 1983 I believe, the video you might make about cartridges would be very useful as it has it's original still on it & I was wondering what to replace it with, many thanks .
Love these videos and Rega products. They give you unimaginable value for the money layout. If I lived in England Cheshire Audio would be my dealer.
Thanks, this helped me identify and solve a problem with my 80s Rega Planar 3. The ball bearing was missing, so I cleaned and replaced everything as you demonstrate here and now it's running perfectly.
Same here. Had a similar table that was running slow and I couldn't work out why until I tipped the table upsidedown and nothing fell out of the hole.
@@pervertt 😬😱
Thanks for an interesting insight into the design tradeoffs of the main bearing and sub-platter explaining why Rega chose the materials they use.
Yes indeed, very well explained.
One problem that can cause speed issues with early Planars, is if the plastic belt pulley becomes unglued from the motor spindle shaft. also, on early decks, it's a good idea to replace the rubber belt which suspends the motor.
Priceless advice @chesireaudio
Thank you! 😎🎧
Excellent advice. My dealer here in the US told me to just add a few drops of 3 in 1 oil to my P8 every 5 years!
well,,,, oh crap. I watched theLP12 video on motor speed problems as homework for buying a "virgin" LP12 to go with the 1988 P3 i've had since new. I became so enthused with fixing the LP12 to spec that I also decided to tune up the Rega. So I've put in tooooo much oil at 0-20 weight and, at the suggestion of someone I doubt will be heeded again, a couple of drops on the motor spindle. Wish I'd done my homework ahead of the enthused romp on the Rega. Time to undo my mistakes. ps- I've subscribed. The videos from cheshire audio are very good. the chatter is filled with useful pearls rather than ego based fluff. TX. pps- how much damage have I potentially done with the motor spindle lube?
Your method is a bit different from the official Rega instructions. They tell you to remove the brass bush from the plinth, then put a quantity of the solvent directly into the bearing, and shake it up and down to clean. To re-oil, they say you should tilt the bush at an angle so the two drops of oil run down one side of the bush, then to insert the hub and let it settle without spinning it. Only once it bottoms out, do you then spin it to spread the oil.
The article is very interesting and useful, what grade is the oil used in the lubrication of the bearing and shaft? Greetings.
80W/90 gear box oil. I have a small tube of Motorex scooter oil, 130ml. A lifetime supply for a very little money.
Very informative! I was not aware of some of the details mentioned here.
Watching the video certainly makes one admire the Rega's simplicity.
What is that stand used here? Is it a Rega product or is it a custom affair? Looks very nice.
03:46 Would you recommend gently heating up the bearing sleeve prior to inserting the spindle to avoid this trapped air cushioning effect? e.g. by using a pre-heated gel pad or a hair dryer? Obviously must take care to keep the temperature low enough to be able to hold the bearing otherwise it may introduce other problems, like getting the bearing unstuck from the plinth etc. so a gel pad might be the preferred medium.
05:25 Just wrapping the screwdriver tip in sellotape would prevent scratching the sleeve - it will still attract the steel ball.
06:27 Aren't plastic Q-tips illegal now in the UK? Can you still buy them in shops?
08:17 If the oil breaks down then the ball will start sticking and that will cause bearing damage in extreme cases.
Very informative video - I have a P3 running slightly slow at around 32.6 (measured via phone app and no PSU). It's about 3 years old. Should I consider cleaning/ re-oiling of the platter bearing? Many thanks.
Will answer via email
Nice video. How long time did it take the spindle to set? Days, hours or minutes :-) I'm asking because a friend of mine has the recordplayer and the plan is to change the capatitor, lubricate the bearing, change the belt and change the pickup. :-)
Oh, the best way to remove the ball bearing is to use a straw. No danger of getting oil everywhere or scratching the wall.
Good tip, forgotten about that one :-)
I just tried that, be careful not to swallow the bearing !
@@andrewrees8749😂😂 you push the straw onto the ball bearing, not suck it up!
@MisterBurtonshaw the smaller speed pulley, is that glued onto the spindle ? I've cleaned and oiled the deck now it's running slow
I think it is, I'm no expert, I've just read a bit.
@@andrewrees8749
hello, any chance you could provide a link for where to purchase oil or at least what kind?
It's just Hypoid 80/90 gearbox oil - www.cheshireaudio.co.uk/acatalog/Rega-Bearing-Oil-62.html#SID=57
Great video, thanks. You mentioned gearboxoil, but i could not understand what grade and mineral or full syntetic. Maybe you can write it down here. Have a great day.
It's 80W90 hypoid gear oil, used typically in a car's differential. You can get it at any auto parts store.
0:54 "this does not cause speed issues" - OH YES IT CAN. After some years of service the oil can 'dry' out (remember early Planars used mineral oil) and become sticky and in bad cases definitely causes strain on the motor and belt and can cause the platter to run slow.
As a Professional Engineer (so I know a bit about oils) and 40+ year RP3 owner who has had this problem (many years ago so mine had mineral oil) I'm not gonna let that slide by. Defo summat to watch for if the bearing hasn't been serviced for may years.
would you please tell me what causes the speed on my Rega Plana 1 is a bit slower than it should be. I mearured it 31.3 RPM. Thank you
It could be a loose drive pulley ..... though how are you measuring it? phone Apps can be quite innaccurate
@@cheshireaudio strobe disk printed from vinylengines web site. It won't give you figures, but it'll indicate fast,slow or correct.
Very informative, thank you.
Nice explanation! Many thanks
What Do you think about the upgrade with the ceramic bearing instead the steel one
Cheers from Italy
@@johnsweda2999 Thanks for reply!
I dont know the suggested solution. Can you explain more about "silicon carbon greece"?
I “upgraded” my early Planar 3 with a synthetic ruby ball. No real difference. I may try ceramic sometime.
Better late than never!
The best upgrade for a cheap Rega is to buy a Tangospinner or Groovetracer subplatter! It really makes a difference!
I bought one for my old Rega P3 and moved it over to my Rega P5!
First i tried the original «plastic» subplatter on the P5, but the Groovetracer was a real upgrade there also!
Speed will be improved, together with more dynamic than before, because of less vibration from subplatter.
I would say use some Jewellers clay or blu-tach after cleaning it, if there's any particles of metal or anything else just cleaning out probably won't get rid of it all. Just cut the end of the earbud off and wrap a bit around the stem and push it down you don't want it Tight going in
Are those AR18S on the side :)
Indeed, we own a couple of pairs now
@@cheshireaudio I was fortunate to have been given a pair recently. It was me or the tip.. the chap said. Refoamed the woofers and they seem great. Any recommendations for the 6uf crossover cap? .... must need new ones after 40 years?
They are excellent, they were my first proper Hifi speakers around 1980, so I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for them... the caps are usually fine, I’ve never needed to change any
@@cheshireaudio thanks. I found them great fun comparing them to modern(ish) floorstanders.
Thanks for this video it was very helpful as I have just been given a planar 3 with the r200 s shaped arm so pre 1983 I believe, the video you might make about cartridges would be very useful as it has it's original still on it & I was wondering what to replace it with, many thanks .
Which gear oil is used?
Hypoid 80/90
@@johnsweda2999 Rega use 80/90 and have been for 48 years
Hi there, how do we contact you?
A player for the children's room.
IDIOTIC comment ... 🤣🤣😅 ... well done!