Spindle thread stuck in record clamp

[Anil Kalagatla]

So, I have a strange problem that I'm hoping someone can help with. My turntable has a threaded spindle insert (M6 threads on both ends with a thicker middle portion for the record hole). It unfortunately got stuck inside the record clamp. The clamp is actually used to load and unload the heavy platter and the spindle now does not come off the clamp after I installed my platter. Anyone have any ideas on how to extract it? I tried to grip tightly with some pliers, but it keeps slipping. Or, are there any after-market spindle inserts that I can use instead? Unless this is very uncommon for turntables, I can't seem to find any when I searched.

thanks
Anil

 

[matakana]

So, I have a strange problem that I'm hoping someone can help with. My turntable has a threaded spindle insert (M6 threads on both ends with a thicker middle portion for the record hole). It unfortunately got stuck inside the record clamp. The clamp is actually used to load and unload the heavy platter and the spindle now does not come off the clamp after I installed my platter. Anyone have any ideas on how to extract it? I tried to grip tightly with some pliers, but it keeps slipping. Or, are there any after-market spindle inserts that I can use instead? Unless this is very uncommon for turntables, I can't seem to find any when I searched.

thanks
Anil

View attachment 89650

Just purchase a left hand thread nut the same thread size as whats there.

 

[Solypsa]

If all parts are metal then adding a few drops of penetrating oil may help the plan laid out in the prior post.

There are tools designed to extract studs, if the reverse nut plan does not succeed. If you go this route buy a good one, or better yet if you are friendly with a machine shop drop by and ask nice the shop could also perhaps polish out any marks and check the threads etc.

Pm me if you want seeing as we are in the same general area, I may be able to help with a shop lead....

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

Just purchase a left hand thread nut the same thread size as whats there.

Ah, this is a very clever idea, I will try this out tomorrow!

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

If all parts are metal then adding a few drops of penetrating oil may help the plan laid out in the prior post.

There are tools designed to extract studs, if the reverse nut plan does not succeed. If you go this route buy a good one, or better yet if you are friendly with a machine shop drop by and ask nice the shop could also perhaps polish out any marks and check the threads etc.

Pm me if you want seeing as we are in the same general area, I may be able to help with a shop lead....

Great, thanks! I will try the reverse thread idea, if it does not work I will gladly take you up on your offer.

Anil

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

A quick update: it looks like the reverse nut idea may not work. I went to a couple of hardware stores to find an M6 reverse threaded nut, they didn't have them, but the guy at Ace hardware pointed out that I would not be able to even thread the spindle onto a left handed thread as the helical spiral will be the wrong way (which makes sense upon reflection).

I will try and jerry rig a way to clamp the spindle once more, but @Solypsa I may end up PMing you for help

Anil

 

[Mike Lavigne]

maybe run a nut onto the spindle, use a socket and lever arm to grip it with leverage, then use one of these on the clamp for leverage the opposite direction. (yes; i realize that the rotation directions might not allow this approach to work.....although even if you tighten it, you might break loose the binding point.).

Amazon.com

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

maybe run a nut onto the spindle, use a socket and lever arm to grip it with leverage, then use one of these on the clamp for leverage the opposite direction. (yes; i realize that the rotation directions might not allow this approach to work.....although even if you tighten it, you might break loose the binding point.).

Amazon.com

Interesting idea, Mike, I might give it a try if others don't work. Though, I also wonder if the rotation directions will work. Currently, I'm able to screw this on the to fairly heavy platter (which would be a little like running a nut and clamping it) and when I try to unscrew, the spindle is still stuck to the clamp.

Anil

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

Just to close on this: I was able to finally extract it by wrapping the spindle with blue masking tape (of all the things) and using a different set of pliers I had (Knipex Cobra Water Pump Pliers, in case any one else is interested) and it did the trick! I guess blue tape is even stronger than what I had thought. Thanks to Mark Dohmann for this great tip.

Anil

 

[mtemur]

if it happens again just use two M6 nuts. screw them on each other over the thread and use a wrench only on the lower one to unscrew the spindle. that's a very basic way removing bolts from blocks, removing shafts etc.

info: use the wrench only on the upper nut if you want to screw the spindle on clamp again.

 

[Bobvin]

A half-width nut is often called a “jam nut”, you jam them together to get you out of a jam!

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

Nice, thanks for the tip with two M6 nuts. I didn't know about half-width nut, as that's probably what I would need as I did not have enough threads for two regular M6 nuts. Overall, interesting experience, and I learned a few new tricks

Anil