Feickert Protractor
Price: $399
Yes, we still like arc protractors, because they're the most precise tools for the job, but they're not the easiest tool to master, and they are not universal.
If you own several tonearms with different length specifications, you'll need one arc protractor for each one.
The Feickert protractor works with any tonearm, and it allows you to precisely set the pivot to spindle distance, eliminating any ambiguity (is my overhang off or is it the pivot to spindle distance?)
You need to find the bearing center in some way. Tonearms like the Kuzmas, Schröders, Korfs, Tri-Planars, Durands and such have some sort of machine marking or other indicator for this purpose.
We developed a method to find the bearing center on the Jelco arm, with its unmarked bearing center. Click the photo to see how we did this.
Click to learn our Jelco "trick"
Given a choice, we would first employ the Feickert to verify/set pivot to spindle, and then shift to an arc protractor like the "Best Protractor" from Mint LP.
Unfortunately, the "Best Protractor" is no longer available, but the Feickert is up to completing the task.
If forced to take one tool on the road to perform a customer setup, it would be the Feickert.
All parts are aluminum - no wiggly/wobbly plastic as that similar but much more expensive tool.
Just buy one. You need this tool.
