If it was the 1970’s and you wanted to keep your record collection in tip top condition, then you needed one of these.
As seen on TV, it was the ideal gift for Christmas. Cordless electric. What could possibly go wrong.
The claims on the box are clear, so lets explore these a little.
This is what you get in the box. It takes a set of four “U2” size batteries. Very common back in the day, but difficult to get hold of now.
The first thing the record encounters is these yellow sponges, which can be easily removed for cleaning.
With the sponges removed you can see how it “Removes Static”. Those are thin metal sheets which rub against your record. Presumably to conduct way any static build up. I think I’ll keep to my trusty carbon cleaning brush.
You can see here how the record fits snugly against the conductive strips.
With the side off you can see how it works. The sponges and metal strips fit top right, but are removed here. Below is a white plastic roller which the record rests against. Bottom right is the enormous battery compartment for the four “U2″s. The interesting bit is the motor and fan assembly on the left.
The motor sits just behind the fan and turns it when power is on. With this arrangement I can see how this would draw air out of the case and exhaust it through the grill on the left of the fan assembly. In practice though there is so little suction available that the claims to “Remove dust” are perhaps a little far fetched.
The fan shaft has a small pulley which drives a larger pulley via a belt. The belt appears to be made from nicker elastic with a knot in it. On the same shaft as the larger pulley is a bobbin shaped rubber drive wheel. This is what your record sits on, and what makes it spin round.
Does it work? well it turns and make a lot of noise, but that’s about it. So, no.
Please note that no records were hurt during the making of this article. The 10cc album you see here was already terminally ill and destined to become a fruit bowl in the afterlife.