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From: fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Query: Stylus Replacement Timer
Message-ID: <337@ihu1g.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-May-84 12:13:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1g.337
Posted: Tue May  8 12:13:00 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 9-May-84 02:19:40 EDT
References: <223@cubsvax.UUCP> <843@ulysses.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
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(oo)
I've found that periodic inspection of the stylus is the best
way to tell if it needs replacing.  I have access to a zoom
stereo microscope (that's stereo optics) that reveals in
detail the condition of the stylus surface.  I also have an
inexpensive 30X microscope that will do for routine inspection.
I once saved myself some money by inspecting the stylus in this
manner.  I began to notice some distortion, so I figured the
stylus was wearing out.  On microscopic inspection, I found
that a particle of some kind of tarry gunk had gotten onto the
stylus, and had resisted my routine brushings.  A little solvent
and some careful brushing under the microscope removed the object,
and restored the stylus to normal.  The particle was too small to
see with the naked eye.

I don't know that a timer would help that much, since some records
would produce more stylus wear than others.  It would probably do
just as well to replace the stylus at regular intervals, say, yearly.
-- 

                               Bob Fishell
                               ihnp4!ihu1g!fish