DIY Nitty Gritty Vac Sweep cleaning "lips"

[Fongolio]

I have a Nitty Gritty 1.5 FI record cleaning machine. I clean at very least one record every day. I'm going through the vac-sweep replacement cleaning "lips" at least one a month. They are almost impossible to find in Canada and shipping costs as much as a package of four ($18.50 a package).

I decided to try making my own. I had no success with two sided tape and velvet cut to fit. I wasn't sticky enough. I've tried some peel and stick fabrics from a fabric shop with no success. Then yesterday in Walmart (yes Walmart), I spotted some peel and stick felt packages in the crafting section. Each package contains multi-color felt in about 10" x 8" squares with a peel and stick backing. For less than $4.00 is worth a try.

Today I cut the felt to the approximate size needed for the lips and after cleaning the machine peel the backing and stick it on. I found it was just a little bit thinner than the real NG vac-sweeps so I put another layer on top. Now it's a tiny bit thick but very cushiony. I then used a razor blade to cut the felt away from the center where the vacuuming action takes place and then used a safety pin to poke the holes for the fluid injection.

I then needed a good grungy record that I won't cry over if it's wrecked. I have three copies of the Doors Waiting For The Sun and one that has clearly been through a few acid parties. I did my usual cleaning routine. Two rounds each side with the cleaning solution vacuuming in between and two rinses. It came out spectacularly clean and the glue backing held perfectly.

Eureka!!$4.00 and a little work for years and years worth of vac-sweeps. Will work with any Nitty Gritty machine.

Kelvin

[engtaz]

Congrats, you my want to Drumel sand the edges felt pads so no abrasive edges are touching the record. Good find.

[hearingimpared]

Great find Kelvin. When I owned a Nitty Gritty machine, I used to buy the velvet pads by the gross. Are they not selling it that way anymore?

[Fongolio]

Great find Kelvin. When I owned a Nitty Gritty machine, I used to buy the velvet pads by the gross. Are they not selling it that way anymore?

I haven't seen any, where did you get them from?

[hearingimpared]

I haven't seen any, where did you get them from?

Back in the '80s from the Tweak Shop!

http://www.tweakshop.com/index.html

[SCompRacer]

Thanks for the share Kelvin!

When I owned a Nitty Gritty machine...

You know, I bought that machine from you, rebuilt it (busted by bad handling in shipping), and to this day it still sucks!!:p:D

I scrub on an old turntable and vacuum with the NG.

[Keiko]

Thanks for the share Kelvin!



You know, I bought that machine from you, rebuilt it (busted by bad handling in shipping), and to this day it still sucks!!:p:D

I scrub on an old turntable and vacuum with the NG.

You're welcome to come by here anytime to clean all the records you want, Rich. ;)

[SCompRacer]

You're welcome to come by here anytime to clean all the records you want, Rich. ;)

Even the wife would clean records to go out there!

[Keiko]

I really enjoy using the HW-17.

[hearingimpared]

Thanks for the share Kelvin!



You know, I bought that machine from you, rebuilt it (busted by bad handling in shipping), and to this day it still sucks!!:p:D

I scrub on an old turntable and vacuum with the NG.

I know how you spent all that time fixing it. Is it still performing well Rich? The fact that scrubbing on the NG is difficult is why I went with the VPI.

[hearingimpared]

I really enjoy using the HW-17.

Ah shed ep!

[SCompRacer]

Is it still performing well Rich?

Yes, the vacuum still works very well. If I haven't used it for a couple of months, the fluid dispenser motor binds up. I would just give the impeller a nudge with a long chopstick to get it going again. Not a big deal as I don't use store bought stuff anymore. Just using the Tergitol mix with distilled rinse.

With dear wife unemployed taking care of her mom, money is too tight to buy even a used 16.5. I just buy records, clean and play them.

[hearingimpared]

Yes, the vacuum still works very well. If I haven't used it for a couple of months, the fluid dispenser motor binds up. I would just give the impeller a nudge with a long chopstick to get it going again. Not a big deal as I don't use store bought stuff anymore. Just using the Tergitol mix with distilled rinse.

With dear wife unemployed taking care of her mom, money is too tight to buy even a used 16.5. I just buy records, clean and play them.

Well no-one can say Nitty Grittys are not built to last. That baby has to be 26 years old now.