Blanks in Bulk

[MrPoppers]

Hey all

I'm having some trouble finding a good source to obtain blank records. Whether they are Vinyl or Plastic.
I am strongly considering purchasing a lathe but I am unsure whether I can afford it while also having get get blanks. Not to mention somehow earning the money back...

If you have any advice or want to be a voice of reason, please reach out.

Thanks,
Perry

[The Shank]

I'm sure some guys can help you here

[piaptk]

Snarky, but simultaneously totally sincere response:

If you are wondering if you can afford to get into record cutting, you probably can't.

It is next to impossible to make money in the short term cutting records. If you want to invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours learning the craft and then make minimum wage offering cutting service after that, it can be done.

Cutting records is a passion project, not a business plan.

[piaptk]

If you use the search for "blanks" on here, a hundred threads will come up with who to buy them from and how to source them locally.

If you search "newbie" you will also find a lot of great threads about how to get into cutting records.

People who get into cutting records in order to make money, or even expect to break even, fare about as well as people who start playing guitar for the same reasons.

I know four other people who make their living cutting records (not counting professional mastering engineers) and they all have the following things in common:

1) they started at least five years ago
2) they have more than one machine
3) they did it for years before they started doing it for money
4) they spent a ton of money and time learning
5) they did it because they were obsessed
6) they live extremely modest existences
7) they all had local mentors to help them get started (you can *start* to replace that with this forum nowadays, but it requires a TON of reading and research).

[fredbissnette]

i make a living (meaning i eat) from making lathe cuts

i use polycarbonate (lexan) and it costs me 200 cdn per sheet and i get 64 7'' out of that

i cut the blanks myself using a bandsaw 24tpi blade and a circle jig

there are a lot of other things to consider aside from just a machine to make records

i ended up building mine.

if you are careful and honest it can be done.

cheers

[piaptk]

Fred, you should shop around. When I was making 7" blanks in the same way you describe it was costing me $45 a sheet.

[fredbissnette]

45 usd for a 4'x8' sheet of lexan 1/6''?

im in nova scotia canada

[piaptk]

1/6" or 1/16"

I pay $45 a sheet for 1/16 makrolon (same as lexan, just a different brand).

[fredbissnette]

1/16 lol sorry

i could see about makrolon

if i had it at 45 usd per sheet i could make 500%


lol

[Gridlock]

I find special super secret picnic plates from100% poly-vinyl-chloride made in a good plate factory in black shaggy.. Still a pain in the ads but I love doing everything by hand and my wife mows the lawn with scissors. Not even joking

[fredbissnette]

i found some red plates that work ok but no where near the fidelity of polycarb

what kina plates you got?

[Dub Studio]

I don't agree. Now is as good a time as any, and there are people starting up all the time. Some succeed and some don't.

I agree you need to give yourself time, and yes you do need a bit of money behind you... but its the same as any career. You can't just wake up one morning and expect to get paid, no matter what career you choose.

I would encourage you to do your research, set aside some money and some time, and pursue your dreams.

Snarky, but simultaneously totally sincere response:

If you are wondering if you can afford to get into record cutting, you probably can't.

It is next to impossible to make money in the short term cutting records. If you want to invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours learning the craft and then make minimum wage offering cutting service after that, it can be done.

Cutting records is a passion project, not a business plan.

[fredbissnette]

it took me 7 months to get going once i had everything sorted

[Dub Studio]

For me its been a 14-year journey so far, starting in 2003. I am still learning new things all the time. The way I see it is that in order to be good, you need to cut regularly, keep on top of your game, and learn from your mistakes.

it took me 7 months to get going once i had everything sorted

[fredbissnette]

every mistake ive made i have learned a LOT from and ive made a bunch and they all cost me money

cutting records is hard but worth it

just keep doing it if you love it

[Dub Studio]

Exactly, some problems are avoidable, and some aren't. Hardest lesson I learnt is that its impossible to do a perfect cut every time. I have learnt to be philosophical about it: perfection is not a destination, its just a direction to head in.

[fredbissnette]

i tell people its an entirely diy operation and no two records will sound the same

[MEGAMIKE]

hi
I agree with above comments..


I do it for fun/happy.. when "FUN" goes then so do I ..

become wedding dj or work in a shoe shop..
hahah

[fredbissnette]

i was a wedding dj then i did sound for bands then i recorded bands and i hated many aspects of it

i dont hate anything about cutting records

[The_House_Records]

http://www.apollomasters.com/ sells blanks.