The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

My recording level is mostly between 4 and 5 (5 is maximum). The vu-meter more than once goes in the red zone when there are peaks in the signal. Still, the music which ends up on the disc has not much volume.

So, I’ve been experimenting a lot lately. Ordered two batches of embossing discs at PIAPTK (7” and 10”) and getting very good results with the 108 feedscrew on 45 singles, and 192 feedscrew on 33rpm. The head (Rek-o-kut standard ‘stock’ head) has been overhauled by Gib Epling and it cuts wonderfully...

A manual for the Challenger of Imperial would still be greatly appreciated…

So I’m getting better and better results along the way, embossing on my Rek-o-Kut Challenger. https://youtu.be/M4FrCSmW4wo The best results I get with minimal weight on the head. The only thing is, the less weight I use, the more it results into skipping when playing back. Except the adjustment in w...

I had the head overhauled by Gib, and as a result this attempt of embossing turned out pretty good!

Still a little low in volume, sorting out how to get more volume on the disc.

https://youtu.be/dn1v2yrgWS0

Dear members,

I have a Rek-o-Kut Challenger that’s almost up and running again (see my other posts on the forum).

Here and there I read that there’s a manual available for the Imperial, that might be of use for me.

Is there any way someone can upload or send me that manual?

Thanks,

Dave

Thanks for your replies. I had the head repaired overseas, by a guy who knows these heads like his pockets. Turns out the damping material had completely dried out, and the two screws inside that keeps the head together were missing, so it was all loose and the needle had no way to move whatsoever. ...

Yes, it’s also hard to tell when you look at it in reality.

It’s cuts a very quiet recording,m, so I guess there something disconnected indeed.

Thanks for your reply.

So, here’s my first attempt of embossing with my Rek-o-kut Challenger. https://youtu.be/0m3FtoHnNjA I ordered some polycarbonate discs at PIAPTK’s, plus a new embossing stylus. This is my first attempt of “cutting” a record with them. Although I do get something on the disc, it’s very quiet. In play...

Hi all, I managed to cut a record yesterday on my Rek-o-Kut Challenger. Tons of surface noise and very, very, very far away some music. Still, it’s a ‘breakthrough’ for me. This cut was made on a polycarbonate disc with the original cutting stylus that came with the machine. https://youtu.be/4pr_EfG...

And a video of my first ‘cut’, that failed completely… Using the original stylus and no experience here 😅 https://youtu.be/7Lghf87QHrY An audio signal is sent to the Rek-o-Kut and the cutting head is placed on the disc. As you can hear the stylus makes squeeking sounds and the groove that appears on...

Here’s a little video of just the “playing part” of my Challenger.

https://youtu.be/msAH1uX9zKI

I just ordered a new cutting stylus at Mike’s webstore, also some blank 78s. As soon as they arrive here in the Netherlands, I will begin to experiment with this. Of course I will keep you guys updated through here (as well as asking questions I guess, ).

Thanks,

Dave

Okay, all clear (or at least a little bit). Think the right thing to do now is order an embossing stylus from Mike’s website. I’ll take a look on the page. Indeed there’s no indication of a 45 speed on the machine. So 45 is impossible i guess. I could make 10” 78s which can be played back with a nor...

Hi Tim, hi Mike, Thanks for your replies and advice, you both! Really helpful. Of course that’s a great idea. My first intention was to cut 45s anyway, because those are the records I mostly spin myself. The only thing is that the machine doesn’t have a 45rpm setting on it. Only 33 and 78. Or is the...

Hi everyone, A few years back I bought this Rek-o-Kut Challenger cutting lathe. I had the machine completely overhauled by a technician, and it now, at least, plays 78 records with the integrated tone arm. The machine spins on both 33 and 78rpm, and my idea always was to cut an 78 record every once ...

Hi all, It’s been a while since I last posted something here. Main reason is that my Challenger has been completely overhauled by a technician, and I just picked it up. The amp has overhauled, so it plays wonderful. Also a new speaker is fitted and the machine runs at the right speed for European st...

Hi Davevr, A good Techie might be the way to go for you in light of the "Burning" Issues. Oftentimes it's a good idea when "Powering Up" Vintage Gear to insert a "Current Limiter" like here :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRFRwOnLsZI This might be a case of "Closing the Stable Door after the Hor...

Reminds me of when I blew the amp on my presto. Oh the smell of 70 year old dust fryin like bacon. Does the motor turn? Sometimes that will still work when the machine is off but plugged in? If that is the case you can start working on your new electronics chain to power the cutting head. Or restor...

The best way to go is taking the machine to a good tech, I guess. If somebody has a manual and/or schematic for the Challenger (or any other Rek-o-Kut lathe which might be comparable), that would be much appreciated. This will make things a lot easier for the tech, as these machine don't turn up thi...