Need to set up a turntable?

Visit the Vinyl Engine. Not only is there a wealth of information already there, the folks are very helpful with advice or resources. Definitely download the cartridge alignment protractors and use them to reduce distortion from tracking error.

Cleaning

Record care is very important. Here are a couple of things I am using at the moment. You can see a tutorial on recording vinyl for CD, which includes a section on cleaning. There is also a page here on a comparison with my method and a vaccum record cleaning machine.

The mainstay of my record cleaning regime: a directional pile cleaning pad (used with a diluted isopropyl alcohol solution) and a microfibre duster used to remove the cleaning solution and dirt.

Indispensable if you don't have a vacuum record cleaning machine.

General

An inexpensive squirrel hair water-colour paint brush works a treat for dusting around your turntable etc.

Need a circular spirit level? Any half decent electronic supply co will have one in its catalogue. Mine was 99p from Maplin.

Been miserly and bought the Ortofon stylus gauge rather than the Shure version? I found mine to be 'sticky', it wouldn't pivot freely. Try cleaning inside the base part with spray furniture polish, or move the pivot out of the notches onto the 'flat' top section, mine seems to swing much better there.

Need cartridge pins? Try inside an old computer connector or cable. Some of them have a very useful gold (?) connector that should be suitable.