Convert and fit a centre spindle on turntable

Just wondered if anyone has decided to convert their turntable to accept only small hole records (like those in the UK) by adding a centre spindle to the turntable, that would save having to "dink" hundreds of vinyl. If nobody has, then why? is there a major flaw or problem that I'm overlooking!

I know some jukeboxes already have a centre spindle, but I believe that is to allow EP type singles to be played at 33rpm.. Just curious why we all buy dinker tools to cut the centre hole bigger, when it seems obvious to me just to fit a spindle to the turntable and remove the 3 prongs.

Any tips or your thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks for the reply. If its that simple to exchange turntables, then why do people in UK spend time and money on Dinker tools to cutout a larger diameter hole in their treasured record collection? and not just swap the 3 prong centred turntable with a turntable that has JUST the small spindle fitted! Here in the UK 90% of all singles were small holed, so just about all of our records would need dinkering.... Just curious!!!

Hi
If you have a Rockola with a speed shifter for 33rpm and 45 rpm(small holed records for 33rpm and dinked records for 45 rpm), the unit can be adjusted so that it will play small holed records at 45 rpm. Not all machines would have this. NSM's will will both type of records, not sure about Wurlitzers and Rowe's.
clones

thanks for all advice.
But still strange that out of thousands of jukebox owners not a single one has said, you can just load the magazine with normal UK pressed vinyl (with the small hole), find and fit a turntable with a spindle only, and the juke will play as normal, no adjustments needed!!!!!!!

I guess that's what I was hoping, that someone somewhere had tried it, so dinking records in UK was no longer required!

Hi,

I'm from Australia so we also use the smaller hole records.

I have 2 AMi jukes (a continental and a K) which I have been able to locate replacement turntables to use the smaller hole records. I put local bought records in these.

However, I have a 1700 Wurlitzer and a Seeburg C which I am unable to change the turntable so I need the larger hole records.

I buy some records from the US (large hole) and dink others that I buy locally. It's not a big problem.

A bigger problem was changing them for the 50Hz power.

Cheers

Gordo..

Gordo, and all,
On the Seeburg C, or any pre "Q" model, you should be able to play both small and large hole records, intermixed, if you change the clamp arm disc to the later (post "Q") type, and dis-able the clamp arm switch (if used). The camp arm disc will require very careful adjustment, as they enlarged the "pin" entry, slightly, on the later turntables. I have done this many times--no problem !
Ron Rich

Ron,

Thanks, I did not know this.

I'm learning all the time.

Regards

Gordo...

Hi
if you have a dual speed turn table it can be adapted so that you can use both types of records and all will play at 45 rpm
clones

Just an update. My new purchased 461 had the dual speed turntable fitted (not original I'm guessing) as the multi-speed bits under turntable were missing. However, I removed the red lugs so I'm left with just the center spindle. As a ex-DJ I have more than 2000 7" records with just the UK small hole. They all play perfect, and I'm so happy for three reasons..
1) I don't have to buy a dinker tool.
2) I don't have to sit for hours on end dinking my entire collection
3) I don't have to ruin some rare vinyl by cutting a huge hole in the middle and de-value it to collectors

Job done.. Love it!

So for anyone in the future if you're based in the UK and only have 7" records with standard small hole, simply find a turntable with a spindle and it plays as per normal!