advice on cutting needle for BSR DR33C

[lornaf]

Am hoping someone can help- we have got our BSR DR33C record lathe up and running, playback sounds good, and tested it today with a transco recording styli 462 (which is what we use on our Presto Model D lathe). The needle work to cut it, but it had a very high level of scratchiness to the recording- like the kind you get when the needle has blunted, bu the swarf coming off was really good cutting swarf (long strings, rather than fluffy swarf, which experience tells me is a good sharp cut!), which would seem to indicate that we may need to use a different type of needle? Does anyone know what kind of needle this model would use, or have any thoughts on a better suited cutting needle? Any advice appreciated! many thanks

[rsimms3]

Perhaps you need a short shank stylus. Presto uses a long shank, the DR33C manual calls for a stylus no longer than 5/8" in length. I don't know off the top of my head if this is long or short stylus. If you don't already have the manual for the DR33C, there's a link here on the board if you do a search.

[lornaf]

thanks very much- i have the manual- it says to use a duralumin stylus, sapphire, and as you say, no more than 5/8inch...
if you, or anyone else knows what needle that matches, be much appreciated!

[markrob]

Hi,

If you find the stylus is a bit too long, you can easily shorten it using a pair of wire cutters. That will save you having to purchase a new stylus.

Mark

[lornaf]

thats a very good point!

[rsimms3]

Just measured some styli - Presto long shank is 3/4" while a Grampian short shank is 5/8".

[lornaf]

will try cutting down to 5/8 and see if it works- thanks all!