Instructions for a Turntable Basics Protractor

In addition to Markd51's good instructions, the trick to using the TTB well is to get your eye used to the parallax (dual images) from the mirror. Some people find this distracting, but in fact it is the best feature of the TTB and the one that makes it more accurate than non-reflecting protractors.

Once you get the hang of looking at both the direct and reflected images of the grid, and squaring them up, you can be certain you're looking exactly down the centerline of the grid. That kind of accuracy isn't possible with a single image protractor.

This takes some practice, so I'd encourage you to align and re-align your cartridge several times. The more often you do it the better you'll get at it.

As Markd51 said:

1. Align the sight line to the tonearm pivot using a piece of thread (WAY more accurate than just looking down the line).

2. Place the stylus on the outer grid and square the CANTILEVER to the grid. (Ignore the cartridge body). If you do this "perfectly", the inner grid becomes theoretically superfluous.

3. Move the protractor and recheck cantilever squareness with the stylus on the inner grid. (Just a double check).

4. If it's not square, iterate back and forth between grids until it's square on both.

Doug

Sorry Doug that I failed to mention it was you who taught me these good tricks to enhance effectiveness with this Protractor. I feel it at times it is impolite to mention another person's name without thier permission.

Thank you for adding, and reminding us about the parallax error, and how the aligning both first surface, and reflected lines will enhance alignment while looking at the grid. Mark

I have this tool and the instruction sheet that came with it.If you want to send me your snail mail address I'll copy the one page and mail it to you (for free even).Casey.

No problem Mark. It was Frank Schroeder who taught me the string trick. We all learn from each other!

Again, I appreciate all of your help.

If I am not mistaken, I believe that I have read that using a auto leveling laser light which can be purchased from Home Depot or Lowes could be used in place of the string.