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This sale is for 3 brand new idler wheels for your RCAVictor 45 RPM record player using the RP-168 or RP-190 changer mechanism, orany other brand using these mechanisms. Made in the USA from zinc plated steelto reduce wow and flutter, and fitted with replaceable rubber tires. The original idlers develop flat spots aftersitting unused for too long, they harden and lose their grip. I have been using idlers of this design in 45players that I own for over 15 years now, some of which may sit for a year ormore without use, and I have never had a flat spot develop on any of them. Despite that, the rubber wheels are replaceable and I have a pair(one of each size)available in a separate listing. Justa drop of oil on the bearing shaft is the only lubrication needed.
This idler wheel design was created by an enthusiast namedWillie Bosco many years ago. I first becameaware of them in the early 2000s, when I finally gave up on trying to resurfacemy old idler, and purchased a replacement from Willie. He sold them both here and through hiswebsite for several years until he decided it was time to retire. Faced with loosing the ability to purchasethese replacement idlers for my growing collection of 45 changers, and being veryhappy with how well they worked, I decided to purchase the design from him in2011.
When I purchased my first idler in 2006, it cost $32, andshipping was not included. I know thisis a hobby for most of you, as it is for me, so my goal is to produce quality partsat the lowest possible price in order to keep as many 45 changers as possible ingood working order. Because materialcosts increase every year, I have done everything I can to keep cost down inorder to pass the savings along to the buyer.Most recently, that meant switching from brass to a zinc coated steelwith bronze bushing, without reducing the mass.Despite these changes, providing a quality product is my number one priority.
As many of the RP190 changers have a plastic platter that isalready small in diameter, having a heavy idler that can provide a flywheel effectis critical for achieving the best sound these changers can produce. Even the heaver metal platter models willbenefit from a new idler that does not have a worn bushing. These idlers are zinc plated steel and have more mass than their plastic or aluminum counterparts! My idlers have a bronze center bushing thatwill provide excellent wear resistance with just a drop of oil, I’ve never hadone wear out. I am still using the idlerI first purchased in 2006 with no wear issues, and no flat spots in the rubbertires. These idlers are intended to keepyour 45 changer going another 70 years!
(45EY2, 45EY3, 45J2, 9EY3, 9JY, 9EY36, 45 Victrola)
