Will a record weight harm the motor in a direct drive turntable?

@billstevenson I am a weight user over the Platter Spindle Only.

I have a range of metal weights that are ranging from 200g - 1Kgish 

Typical weights make a change to an End Sound, but it is not easy to discern where there is benefit as a result of adding the weight. 

I have tried many configurations for a Weight and today after many trials use a 1Kgish Composite Weight which is approx' 800g SS Metal and then a selection of other materials, with a Felt Base, creating and end weight near 1.1Kg.

I choose this weight in my System and Listening Environment over other configurations used for a Weight and the owned pure metal Weights.

The Composite Weight of choice, discernably tidies up the End Sound in Comparisons to other Weights and when not used, makes a LP Album without the Weight added produce an End Sound that is perceived as being extremely poor in comparison. 

I have no problems accepting the notion adding weights of a certain type can effect the sound, and long analysis may draw the conclusion there is not a betterment be created.

I would really like to see how the Composite Weight of Choice was able to effect the data produced by Analog Magic.

I'm not suggesting it doesn't distort, but what is the distortion that it may be producing looking like, especially in comparison to other weight types more typically used.

I have a Three Metals for Platter Mats, Duraluminium - Gun Metal - Stainless Steel

I have Two non OEM metals as Platters - Gun Metal and Stainless Steel.

Record Weights owned can be used at more than 1Kg.

Certain configurations must be getting up to 14+Kg

The most recent design on the table will end up with another 3Kg+ of Acetal added to a Platter.

As I make it a personal thing, about the quality of the Platter Bearing. In relation to the sacrificial parts selected for the bearing being brought into the modern era. Where materials selected are modern materials and the parts selected are undergoing a machining that is as tight a tolerance as achievable. A Specialist Design for the Lubrication at critical interfaces is also put in place when one is gh adopting this methodology.

A Bearing undergone a overhaul on a owned TT, which is designated to be in regular use is not overlooked, there is always the intention to have periodical inspections.

This approach to having a Bearing Inspection periodically undertaken is quite different to how many many TT's from recent era's of production to Vintage era's of production are being looked after.

Keeping the Objective Focused only on a Denon DP-59L.

The 59L is a 40ish Year Old Model, which it can be assumed, in its usage life has undergone a total rotations of ?????? when the Bearing was at its optimal and has undergone ???????? rotations since the Bearing began to be non-optimal and has been progressing in the journey to being non-optimal through deterioration.

There are conditions that are known to be present as a result of excessive use of a non-optimised Platter Bearing, of which a few are totally not wanted to be occurring within a Bearing Housing.

If a TT user does not know the condition of the Inner of Platter Bearing Housing on the TT being regularly used and the TT owner is considering adding additional items at another Interface under the guise an improvement can be found.

Keeping this to Weight added at the Spindle or Perimeter or a Clamp attached to a Spindle. I'm not seeing how looking into how a Source Medium is to undergo a change for the design for it to be in contact with the Platter through the adoption of using additional ancillaries is going to compensate for unknown off underlying issues at another critical mechanical interface for the TT's function.

The only way for a Stylus in a Groove to not receive an unwanted transfer of energy from a Platter Bearing Housing,  which will be an energy received and sent on as a adulterated signal to be further amplified. Is to have a Bearing Housing that is having the mechanical interface within optimised for their functions, and sending energies that are much much less in their destructive capability.    

VPI are one of a few who are informing on the accuracy of the machining of the Critical Interface Parts that are Sacrificial within the Bearing Housing.

The Classic 3 SE Sig Model owner has the knowledge direct from the Manufacturer that there is a need to put measures in place for an annual Bearing Service, where new lubrication is a basic step to occur. The Good news is there is guidance available in other locations to show how to achieve the VPI direction for the service. The are also today other non VPI suggestions to be found to improve on the Bearing Coefficient of Friction to create a reduced drag when it is rotating.   

The Classic 3 SE Sig Model owner has the knowledge direct from the Manufacturer that to be able to check the condition of the Bearing for signs of Wear, the TT has been supplied with a dimension tolerance for machining of the Sacrificial Parts at the critical interfaces that results with the following as the Supplied TT's Tolerance:

 Platter run-out - +/- .001 inch in 39” circumference as measured on the table 

Such information is a very handy guide to help the TT owner keep track on how the TT is holding out as a True Axis of rotation over time.

Platter run-out - +/- .001 inch is not a bad place to be when talking solely about the Stylus Interface within the LP Groove.

Additionally, the Vertical Axis is likely to be changing in conjunction with the Platter Run Out if the Run Dimension starts to increase.

Changes to the Vertical Axis is the one to show a concern about as this is where the noise is to be produced, and where a proportion of noise produced will be on route to the Stylus when in contact with the Groove.

As earlier stated by a TT owner " The goal, IMO, is to isolate the lp as much as possible from the bearing. "   

An interface where moving parts are able to touch is a one way route to changes occurring over time. The condition for the environment the parts moving are making contact in will vary. 

Inspection of conditions the parts are functioning in will range from Adequately Lubricated - No Evidence of a Lubrication that has a useful purpose - No Evidence of a Lubricant have ever been used.

Any of the conditions discovered means wear of parts is occurring when the Rotations are taking place.

Any of the conditions discovered means wear of parts is occurring at very different rates of break down and acceleration to becoming detrimental to the TT's Rotation Eccentricity, Speed Stability, as well as the Stylus function when within the Groove.

My aim as always is merely to encourage such concerns are not under the Carpet, they areas valid to be checked on a periodical basis as a Stylus Wear. 

The Two Links are showing that the 59L will benefit from a Savvy Individual looking at it and returning it to its optimised operation.

It does seem there is no useful lubrication witnessed and a speed regulation component will have moved and have caused Speed Stability Issues.

Add to this a Platter Spindle Bearing that is rotating off axis and this will cause issues with Speed Fluctuation for two reasons.    

A Platter Spindle that is rotating off axis, in a Dry Environment id undergone a latge amount of rotations, is also highly likely to be wearing down metal parts that are Sacrificial and Softer by design. Particulate produced through wear of the softer metals and has the particulate present in a dry environment is going to cause an unwanted accelerated wear at other important interfaces. Noise being generated through grinding, which is being transferred to the Stylus is inevitable as a working condition.

Adding Weight will be a method that improves the grinding and is a further accelerant for unwanted wear at critical interfaces occurring.

Adding weight to a Serviced Platter Spindle Bearing Housing that has adequate Lubricant, as well as a Platter Spindle the has a True Axis Rotation, is unlikely to cause any issues. There is also a better safeguard to be adopted, which is for the Bearing Housing to be periodically investigated/serviced/ with any Sacrificial Parts at a critical interface that is showing signs of wear having the part exchanged as part of the service.     

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=137671

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/denon-dp-59l-speed-control.423457/

@bobsdevices Yamaha PX-2 DD, I so wish I chose this model over the TTS 8000 when I was collecting Vintage DD TT's to have fun with.

The GT's had crept in Value and were quite a few £'s more than other selections made. Mind you they would have been a great investment, as typically they are the best part of 200% appreciated in today's money, where as my TT's are still found at similar monies as when acquired by myself.