tonearm cartrtridge tags. Repair - World-Designs-Forum

colin.hepburn · #1 15th April 2017, 05:11 PM

Hi All
Advice needed here for my Phono tone arm cartrtridge tags. Repair

The arm is a custom Audio Origami foam filled rega R250 with cardas wire
I just need to replace the one tag but this involves removing the old heat shrink from the tag any ideas on the best way to go about this without snapping the cardas wire

Then which is best way to crimp and solder the new tag
Hoping you tonearm guys here can advice on the best methods of doing this delicate operation
old image of arm which now uses a Michell Engineering tecno counter weight system

Thank, Colin

bob orbell · #2 15th April 2017, 05:35 PM

Yes, very carefully Colin, to remove heat shrink, I use a new Stanley knife blade and small needle nose pliers to hold the cable, if you have to crimp, you will need a very small W crimping tool, but of course, you can solder. I hope this helps. BOB

snowman_al · #3 15th April 2017, 06:06 PM

I would use a pair of side cutters to carefully 'nibble' horizontally along the shrink. If you have a pair with a flat cutting edge, like the Maplin miniature snip cutters (A18QW), you can pinch tiny amounts at a time until it splits open. No pushing forces needed and no chance of slicing through the wire or a finger...
You will most likely find just un-soldering will 'release' the crimp and a slight nip with long nose pliers will be enough to hold thing together while you re-solder it.
Good luck, Alan.

colin.hepburn · #4 16th April 2017, 12:35 PM

Hi Bob/Alan.
Yes I think working a comb of your methods is the only way will need to get some new blades on Tuesday so will have some time to think it through.

The tag is broking in the middle of the heatsrink so. I hope to get the front end of the tag out easily which will leave me something to trim into I hope

colin.hepburn · #5 27th December 2017, 12:41 AM

Ah forgot to update on this
Thankfully the tag wire was no broking it was just the tag had opened up on one side so a gentle squeezes on the tag with the long nose pliers fixed the problem
As the arm is foam filled this would have been a send back to john at Audio Origami . So saved a bill or two on repairs

So all good again