1210 tone arm won't stay down. When I unscrew the

That often means that the stylus is worn or broken.
IF it is a good or new one, then you have to adjust the weight on the end of the arm to increase the pressure. Normally about to around 2,5 grams. But you might need to increase it.
This has to be done by testing. You increase the weight in small amounts. Each time listening to the record. If it stays in the groove without coming out, but not making a rumble sound while playing - then you have got it right.
Too much weight will make it rumble, too little and it will skate across the record.
Testing is best done with headphones.

The cause of that is a completely worn out stylus! Or if you have replaced it or it is good, then there is not enough weight on the stylus. You can adjust this by adjusting the weight control on the end of the arm. Try 1.5 to start with, then test a record. If it stays in the groove and doesn't rumble then you are good. If it doesn't stay in the grooves increase the weight by a small amount and test again. Keep repeating this till it stays in the groove and doesn't rumble. If it rumbles decrease the weight.

No it's either the stylus or the pressure to the stylus is not enough. The weight at the end of the arm will increase the pressure on the stylus. Turn it up in slightly testing a record till the stylus tracks in the grooves. The trick is to get it so that it stays in the groove without creating a rumble sound. Remember though a worn stylus will not track at all.
Most cartridges track at 2 to 3 grams. If the Weight on the arm has numbers they will correspond to the weight in grams. If you have to raise it very high the stylus is too worn.

What is the weight on the stylus? Flip the protective shield down to protect the stylus if available. Tare the tone arm (adjust the counterweight on the back of the arm until the arm floats perfectly level), then hold the counterweight and turn the dial markings to read zero. If you cannot find the recommended mass for the stylus you can use the average weight of 3g. Verify your tone arm is still floating in the center and the arm is perfectly level. Turn the counterweight until the dial indicates the specified weight of the cartridge manufacture specification sheet or you can set it for 3g if you do not have the specification sheet.

i have this case now, i bought some mk2's. If u have a record that is single sided, put the side that dosent play on the slip matt, put the needle on it...add more weight if needed. it should stay where u put it, if it dosent...then it should be a case of moving the anti-skate, untill you are satisfied that it is not moving anymore. If u dont have a record like that, like i dont....i took the stylus off...and the slipmatt off...and let the cart run on the platter at 33, i hope it helps your problem, if i dosent then i would take it to a technician.

Hi the pennies will mess up the stylus. There should be an anti skate setting at the back of the turn table, a round adjustable bit with numbers, increase the anti skate and then use the balance weigth (weight right at the back of the arm that turns to get the weight right. Set the anti skate with the tone arm light, then increase the weight a bit. Hope that helps

under the tone arm next to the lever ther is a sort of plastic bar which lifts the tone arm when lever is up right, look along that bar and there is a screw which you turn as you would to tighten anything.you will see the bar move down,try again and if you still have the same problem repeat the process till done......

sounds more like the grease is hard

hi fletch83.

this could be the tone arm bearings too tight,damaged or in need of a little oil.

i had a similar problem on my 1210, it kept jumping all the time,ruining my mixes! it turned out it was the bearings too tight.

unscrew the counter weight so that the arm hovers over the platter and move it to the centre with anti-skate on zero.

slowly turn the anti-skate round to three and the arm should move over to the arm rest smoothly,if it stops before the arm rest or isnt smooth theres your problem,loosen the bearing adjuster slightly and try the hover routine again until its as smooth as you can get it. it is possible,if the turntable has been transported without dust covers the bearings or the pin could be slightly damaged from knocks on the top of the tone arm assembly.

let me know how you get on or if you need any more help.

darren