First of all, I posted on the previous post that it was not I that wrote that nonsense about, "Enough already". Some one needs to get a life and leave my name out of it.
Secondly, I have rebuilt the old phono salt cartridges using piezo buttons. They are like a dollar a piece at the shack. It takes nothing more that a piece of thin rubber perhaps a inner tube from a bike, and cutting a thin piece from the piezo, approximately 3/8" by 5/8" and soldering one wire to one side of the slice and the other on the back. Lay it across the rubber strips from inner tube to prevent contact with the cartridge. Then line both sides of the cartridge with the rubber and super glue them in. As long as there is no contact with the cartridge, problem is easily solved. Then use small screws to put the cartridge back together where you originally drilled out the rivets. I have restored many and they sound great. If it doesn't sound right, make sure the needle is good and positioned properly. If they are not touching just right, sound will be distorted. I am not the greatest at giving directions, but it is a simple procedure. Others have used silicone caulk to seal, but if you need a redo for some reason, not good.
Thanks again, and sorry for the person using my name...sad.

Hey Cindy,
Good info. I'd be interested in a detailed description of your method, materials etc. Pictures and text welcome.

marv

:First of all, I posted on the previous post that it was not I that wrote that nonsense about, "Enough already". Some one needs to get a life and leave my name out of it.
:Secondly, I have rebuilt the old phono salt cartridges using piezo buttons. They are like a dollar a piece at the shack. It takes nothing more that a piece of thin rubber perhaps a inner tube from a bike, and cutting a thin piece from the piezo, approximately 3/8" by 5/8" and soldering one wire to one side of the slice and the other on the back. Lay it across the rubber strips from inner tube to prevent contact with the cartridge. Then line both sides of the cartridge with the rubber and super glue them in. As long as there is no contact with the cartridge, problem is easily solved. Then use small screws to put the cartridge back together where you originally drilled out the rivets. I have restored many and they sound great. If it doesn't sound right, make sure the needle is good and positioned properly. If they are not touching just right, sound will be distorted. I am not the greatest at giving directions, but it is a simple procedure. Others have used silicone caulk to seal, but if you need a redo for some reason, not good.
:Thanks again, and sorry for the person using my name...sad.
:

:I have restored many and they sound great.

Depends of your definition of "sound great".

I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.

There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.

Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.

Good luck.

If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results

::I have restored many and they sound great.
:
:Depends of your definition of "sound great".
:
:I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
:
:There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
:
:Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
:
:Good luck.
:

Here is something I have done twice with excellent outcome.
An 89T plug in cartridge inside the old housing. You cut off the extended sides of the 89T to expose more of the needle shaft. With care, brake off the needle tip by running it across a fine file. Keep your finger on the back of the needle tip as not to brake the shaft. Now the old shaft that connected to the crystal, epoxy that to the new 89T shaft.(small amount) epoxy the 89T to the inside of the bottom old shell. Puts out 1.3 volts. the slide in connectors of the 89T can be bent out to solder wires to. If the old shell is to small, it can be bellied out some, or cut out the top side. as not to be seen when remounted in the tone arm. An 89T can be found under $20.00

Geo,
Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.

marv

:If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
:
:
:::I have restored many and they sound great.
::
::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
::
::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
::
::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
::
::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
::
::Good luck.
::
:

:Geo,
:Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.
:
:marv
:
::If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
::
::
::::I have restored many and they sound great.
:::
:::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
:::
:::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
:::
:::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
:::
:::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
:::
:::Good luck.
:::
::
:
Here goes to the best of my abilities:
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/radiosean/tv/Cartridge-rebuild.htm

Cindy,
That's not the way you described it, but that's what I did it too, using a purchased cartridge, and opening it. Didn't mention the piezo buttons from the Shak. I'd be reluctant to try cutting ceramic material. I'm sure it would fracture into many bits and pieces. The remainder of the article is straight forward, but my effort had much precision. The article didn't mention final audio output, which is the primary goal of converting old salt crystals to their ceramic counterpart, with comparable output levels.

marv

::Geo,
::Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.
::
::marv
::
:::If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
:::
:::
:::::I have restored many and they sound great.
::::
::::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
::::
::::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
::::
::::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
::::
::::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
::::
::::Good luck.
::::
:::
::
:
:
:Here goes to the best of my abilities:
:http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/radiosean/tv/Cartridge-rebuild.htm
:

:Cindy,
:That's not the way you described it, but that's what I did it too, using a purchased cartridge, and opening it. Didn't mention the piezo buttons from the Shak. I'd be reluctant to try cutting ceramic material. I'm sure it would fracture into many bits and pieces. The remainder of the article is straight forward, but my effort had much precision. The article didn't mention final audio output, which is the primary goal of converting old salt crystals to their ceramic counterpart, with comparable output levels.
:
:marv
:
:::Geo,
:::Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.
:::
:::marv
:::
::::If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
::::
::::
::::::I have restored many and they sound great.
:::::
:::::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
:::::
:::::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
:::::
:::::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
:::::
:::::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
:::::
:::::Good luck.
:::::
::::
:::
::
::
::Here goes to the best of my abilities:
::http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/radiosean/tv/Cartridge-rebuild.htm
::
:
Well Marv,
Done many of times and the sound is comparable of the day. I have several in my home that I use for 78's and I love it. The piezo's are in a little black round case, and you can get several out of one. The so called ceramic looks more of a fiberglass material and cuts easily. I have never had any trouble.
You can do whatever suits you. I was only trying to help, based on what system I have used.

Cindy,
Ah Ha, then the mat'l is not ceramic, but some Poly??? I alluded to in an earlier post. Still good info though, and I'll try to find it. The description sounds like it's part of a larger assembly. ie speaker/buzzer. I have several Shak piezo buzzers, so maybe I'll just do surgery on one or two. Thanks.

marv

::Cindy,
::That's not the way you described it, but that's what I did it too, using a purchased cartridge, and opening it. Didn't mention the piezo buttons from the Shak. I'd be reluctant to try cutting ceramic material. I'm sure it would fracture into many bits and pieces. The remainder of the article is straight forward, but my effort had much precision. The article didn't mention final audio output, which is the primary goal of converting old salt crystals to their ceramic counterpart, with comparable output levels.
::
::marv
::
::::Geo,
::::Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.
::::
::::marv
::::
:::::If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
:::::
:::::
:::::::I have restored many and they sound great.
::::::
::::::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
::::::
::::::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
::::::
::::::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
::::::
::::::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
::::::
::::::Good luck.
::::::
:::::
::::
:::
:::
:::Here goes to the best of my abilities:
:::http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/radiosean/tv/Cartridge-rebuild.htm
:::
::
:Well Marv,
:Done many of times and the sound is comparable of the day. I have several in my home that I use for 78's and I love it. The piezo's are in a little black round case, and you can get several out of one. The so called ceramic looks more of a fiberglass material and cuts easily. I have never had any trouble.
:You can do whatever suits you. I was only trying to help, based on what system I have used.
:

Radio shack does not have piezo "buttons" only buzzers..which are no good

::Cindy,
::That's not the way you described it, but that's what I did it too, using a purchased cartridge, and opening it. Didn't mention the piezo buttons from the Shak. I'd be reluctant to try cutting ceramic material. I'm sure it would fracture into many bits and pieces. The remainder of the article is straight forward, but my effort had much precision. The article didn't mention final audio output, which is the primary goal of converting old salt crystals to their ceramic counterpart, with comparable output levels.
::
::marv
::
::::Geo,
::::Don't recall ever having seen these so called buttons at the Shak. I have purchased several piezo transducers (read Beepers), but they're not suitable for the prescribed remedy.
::::
::::marv
::::
:::::If one can buy a "piezo button" from radio shack and use that...geez that would be great for ALL of us to easily rebuild these units...Its just that when u have a rather cheap late 1930s, 40s, 50s radio and you do a cap rebuild it would give great satisfaction if one could redo the phono units as well....Will give this a shot!!! and report on results
:::::
:::::
:::::::I have restored many and they sound great.
::::::
::::::Depends of your definition of "sound great".
::::::
::::::I recall a lenghty and very informative post from _the_ best phono cartridge rebuilder I know of and the reasons a "piezo" element couldn't give acceptable results.
::::::
::::::There is a source (manufacturer) in spain offering high output ceramic phono cartridge (around 1.5V) but I can't recall the name right now. They were selling for less than $10.
::::::
::::::Search this forum for cartridge rebulding and piezo.
::::::
::::::Good luck.
::::::
:::::
::::
:::
:::
:::Here goes to the best of my abilities:
:::http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/radiosean/tv/Cartridge-rebuild.htm
:::
::
:Well Marv,
:Done many of times and the sound is comparable of the day. I have several in my home that I use for 78's and I love it. The piezo's are in a little black round case, and you can get several out of one. The so called ceramic looks more of a fiberglass material and cuts easily. I have never had any trouble.
:You can do whatever suits you. I was only trying to help, based on what system I have used.
:

Radio Shack has the piezo element. is this what is sometimes called Button?

http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kw=piezo

Also if you look at my other post in this thread, you can cut 3/4 of the top off the old shell, and leave the front section intact. This is to hold the old needle shaft in place connecting to the 89T shaft. Hope you get the idea.

Warren,
Yea, I have 3 of the four shown, but never considered them candidates for phono cartridges. The one on the extreme right is nothing more than an electro-mechanical diaphragm tone generator. I was experimenting with under ground sound waves to scare gophers from my yard, when I purchased these.

marv

:Radio Shack has the piezo element. is this what is sometimes called Button?
:
:http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kw=piezo
:
:Also if you look at my other post in this thread, you can cut 3/4 of the top off the old shell, and leave the front section intact. This is to hold the old needle shaft in place connecting to the 89T shaft. Hope you get the idea.
: