The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

I believe that is a MSS lathe, made by Cecil Watts, England. Circa 1940 or so to after WWII.

PS: Post a photo of the lathe and I may be able to better pin point it.

Alan Graves

That is a very old head on the Presto 16X, and some early modals, and latter was replaced by the 1B, 1C, and then the 1D heads. Yours dates back to 1935 era. Might need to be replaced or re-built.

This is a very early Presto recorder, and is nearly identical to the model E as depicted on my Presto history, www.prestohistory.com. Yours is indeed mono, 12 inch turntable and 78 speed. Looks in very good condition. After some tender care, it should be able to cut again, although at 78 and mono. G...

Oops! My bad. I previously told you the opposite. My memory took brain gap. The Spring hooks on to the bottom of the motor in a funny way through one of the air gaps in the housing to keep the motor tight against the rubber tire when running - and a protrusion on the motor switch pushes the motor sh...

The sprint hooks on to the motor to make it "spring" away from resting against the turntable belt during the off position of the switch.

Alan Graves

I have a schematic and instructions. PM me.


Alan Graves

Check with Steve E, the moderator on how to do it. You need to be signed on with your password to do it.

No, I have not gotten your PM.

If your lathe gets the source for advancing the lines per inch by means of setting on the spindle of the turntable, it would be quite impossible. If yours is clear of the spindle, that is, it gets the power to advance the head by another means, there is another way. PM me for e-mail address and I co...

If you don't have inverse RIAA - here's something you can try: Cut the bass tone control on your amp to about minus 50%. Boost the treble control to plus 50%. Cut from a familiar source, possible a record you are familiar with. Cut just enough to give you a sample. Return the tone controls to zero, ...

Do you have a line out rather than headphones? Would suggest the former not the latter if possible. The degree of slant on your head should be about 2 degrees. what are you doing for inverse RIAA curve? This should be required if you are using a flat power amp of any sorts. PS: Your 8C is one I rebu...

The pulley on the motor for the K8 is meant to run against a rubber rim on the outside of the turntable. Do you still have it, or did it not come with the K8. The rubber rim is about 1/2 inch thick, so your belt is a little more to the center than the outside of the rubber rim would be, so your spee...

I know there is confusion on the oil cups on a K8. I have had several K8's and I don't remember any cups. My advice would be: Take the motor to a small engine electric motor shop and have them clean, lube and replace any worn bearings, such as the thrust bearing. If the motor has lasted at lease 50 ...

Here's another idea. I used my word program and drew circles, printed on stock paper, and tried again until I got the size I wanted. Saved the circle in the file, then would add in the word program any text I wanted and added any logo I wanted. Then I would print on stock sticky back paper you can b...

You should be real happy with this choice. I had an 8C and it was my second most favorite of many presto lathes I have had. I made modifications of mine for 45 plus the 78 and 33 speeds, vacuum table hold down, swarf (thread) removal, and hot stylus.

PM me if you need any help.

Alan Graves

I tried searching for highland labs and Barry Brose, apparently web site and phone are inactive. I also tried a search on Amazon with no result. Sorry, it is a great book.

Alan Graves

If still available you can order through www.highlandlab.com or 415-981-5010

Alan Graves

Actually it is a Presto Jr recorder also know as a J-5 model.

P_S: You are going to need a larger warehouse.

Alan