9 Feb
2009
9 Feb
'09
12:49 p.m.
On Mon, 9 Feb 2009, Dan Gahlinger wrote:
but if the disks are no long made, and there are an
exceedingly rare number of them,
what do you do then?
As the drives get rarer, the tools for fixing them PROPERLY
get
proportionately scarcer. Most people who use alignment disks, not just "a
disk written on a good drive" understand their importance, and they often
outlive the populations of the drives. For example, I have some 8" and
3.25" alignment disks, even though I RARELY use those drives.
The most important aspect of alignment tools are that they MUST exceed the
accuracy of the intended result. That CAN be achieved without necessarily
buying old-stock. New alignment disks CAN be made - the specs,
knowledge, and even most of the tooling is still around; they are just no
longer in mass production.
if you're a very technical hobbyist, you may have
the resources to have
your own ability to do alignments, for just drive alignment, it's not
rocket science. it's not the same as a car really.
True. I can get a car to track "acceptably" without major tooling.
I can do automotive frame alignment with laser pointers, magnets,
my measuring tools, and a 24 inch pipe wrench. I PREFER to use a good
alignment rack, it reduces the amount of effort.
I can get a drive to read/write/format "acceptably" without major tooling.
I can do drive alignment with a good scope, disclosing fluid, my
measuring tools, and a hammer. Alignment disks SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the
amount of effort.