[mikethedruid]

Shame about the rust and other problems with the turntable. It's hard to see these things from the picture. If it is that far gone, you are right, it is beyond hope. Good about getting a modern turntable for it then. You can buy one which will allow you to play even modern stereo records fairly inexpensively these days. The early 33, 45, 78 tables used a mono cartridge which does not have the vertical compliance needed for modern stereo records and can actually damage them. It is important to re-cartiridge them if you use them. I have an E. H. Scott 800B which I will get to someday, and had to buy a turntable for it.  I found a newer (1960s) Garrard turntable with a stereo cartridge on eBay for it.
[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/044b89e01747...2ce614.jpg]

[Image: https://64.media.tumblr.com/120083826879...27fece.jpg]

One can find brand new turntables from China on there also, for even less than I payed for that one. Good luck with your project. When it's finished you will have a working heirloom to continue to pass down to future generations.