Slippin' and slidin'

Hey everybody, hope you are in the middle of a great holiday weekend. The ole V-M 1200 has developed another issue, which I imagine is probably common--even with the tone arm tension spring adjusted at its highest point, 45s still slip and slide as they pile up. Even the 2nd and 3rd records in the pile are slipping. Any ideas on a fix? The cartridge and stylus have recently been replaced. I could try and 'rig' the spring to greater force, or try something funny with weights on the back of the arm, but I don't want to Frankenstein this thing up if I don't have to.

I know this isn't just a necessary evil, this thing has worked before. Or maybe it was just a bad combination of vinyl.

Anyway, any ideas would be appreciated
Thanks
Dewey

Firstly, if I understand your post correctly, the spring which you have adjusted is used to set the vertical tracking force that the tonearm exerts on the stylus tip which is determined by the compliance of the cartridge. It is very important that the proper amount of force is used. Too much weight = rapid record & stylus wear. Too little waight = immediate damage to the groove as the stylus is permitted to lift up out of the groove rather than trace it and subsequentially causes damage as it slams into the walls of the groove. The problem is not the vinyl as those surfaces never touch, but the labels do and that is where your problem lies. The labels are slipping and this was sometimes a problem with certain labels The fix is, after you reset the VTF to the proper amount, to clean the labels with a damp cloth. If that doesn't work you can try a small piece of tape on the labels. Maybe someone has other ideas. I do know that certain 45rpm adaptors that do not turn with the records exacerbated this problem. Hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your holiday also.

Do not use your unit until you can find out the proper force for the pickup you have, and a gage to adjust it with.

If your tonearm is set too heavy, 45's will slip and slide like you describe.
-Tony