Question about Michell record clamp

I see a lot of earlier posts about a felt washer. When I purchased a Mitchell clamp a couple of years ago (black delrin with alu knob), it didn't come with this washer. Is anyone able to post a picture or dimensions of the felt please?

 

I'll measure it for you once mine arrives.

 

I know that some people with non-recessed centres (or who don't like to push down too hard) have substituted in a smaller "o" ring(2mm?) instead of the felt washer.
If you don't have a washer, that might work for you.

 

Felt Washer:
Outer diameter: 23 mm
Inner diameter: 6.5 mm
Thickness (uncompressed): 3.5 mm

Hope it helps.

 

Thanks !

 

Anyone using the Michell clamp on a threaded spindle? I have a Music Hall mmf-7.1 and the included screw on clamp does not work with the mat I use as it is a thicker mat 4.0mm from Herbies.
The MH clamp is not flat so it does not engage the threads, the Michell looks to be flat underneath........Is there a pic showing the underneath of the Michell someone has?
Thanks

 

There you go just done it for you.
Also showing the threaded spindle on the Orbe, they make a disc out of the same material for very thin records, I have not used it in years, on any record.

 

You might try Uk sites like eBay uk. Or maybe Michell. Turntable World ?. It tends to be around £26 here.

 

Outstanding...Thanks! How far up the collet does the spindle need to go to engage the clamping action? I have about 7-8mm of spindle above record showing.

 

I am only talking about the Orbe with threaded spindle, about half the spindle, but for unthreaded this could be different, just know it works .

 

That's more than enough. I only have about 7 or 8mm of spindle showing above the bare mat itself. That's without the washer and record. I've never had any problems clamping thick records.

 

I have a Sota Reflex Clamp and the same kind of principles apply. They provide a rubber washer that only works on thinner records. I'd try cutting your felt disk to a smaller diameter or go buy something at a local hardware or fabric store. Some trial and error may be needed, in fact you might want to have a few different sixes of disks for different record thickness. One size doesn't always fit all.

 

Thanks!

 

Does the Michell clamp washer system work with a Technics rubber mat, which is recessed around the spindle ?

 

I got Michell's Rega clamp, for use on my 2016 P3. For the Rega version of the clamp, Michell doesn't include the felt washer. They claim it works without it (and I'm guessing the washer would also raise the record too high on the P3's short spindle). But when used on any record that has an obvious warp -- i.e. the only records I'd bother using a clamp on in the first place -- it really doesn't seem to do much. I feel like it would be more effective with the washer. But the only way I could use the standard Michell clamp (w/ said washer), is to get a new subplatter with a lengthened spindle, which I'd obviously prefer not to do. Is there some secret to using the Michell Rega clamp that I'm missing?

 

To be honest, washer or no, the clamp does little to most warps and nothing at all to some.

 

For my sota reflex, I bought a very small rubber washer and it handles a majority of my records perfectly fine. The one that came with the device wouldn't allow ticker records to lay flush on the platter. I would do some testing with various washers, sizes and thickness...it paid off for me.

 

Instead of the felt washer supplied with the Michell clamp, I like to use an O-ring (size #109). This works very well with the Gyro. I don't know if this would work the Rega and others though.

 

Hello,
Just purchased a J.A. Michell clamp on EBay without the felt washer. Can anyone please measure theirs and post the inside and outside dimensions and include the thickness of the washer so I may try to replicate it? Most appreciated.

 

See post #30 above.

 

Thank you very much. Going to have to give the #109 o-ring a try as well.

 

When using a washer, maybe you could try one that is 1/16” thick instead of 1/8”. That may give you the a little more spindle to grab on to.

 

I know I’m several months late to the party on this thread, but I can confirm that a 1/16” rubber washer that I got from Ace Hardware works well with the “Rega” version of the Michell clamp. I’ve been using on my new Rega P6 turntable for a couple of months with the rubber washer, and it definitely allows warped records to lay flat on the platter.

 

I find it funny that the Rega Planar 3 owner is resistant to upgrading the subplatter. To me, that is the biggest shortcoming of an otherwise fine deck. A metal subplatter is much better than the phenolic stock subplatter. And they generally don't taper the spindle and use the standard height. A grovetracer may be a bit pricey. But there are less expensive alternatives like the tangospinner or the deepgroove I ended up getting. The old aluminum Michell works fine on the deepgroove subplatter spindle. This isn't the "Rega" version as I don't even think there is one with the older design. I've had the clamp before I switch to Rega decks.