Transco Stylus on Wilcox gay?

Post: # 19318Unread post **Angry Jim** Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:12 am

I have a Wilcox gay recordette sr that works really well. Just curious if anyone has used transco styluses in one of these? Is it possible? If so which type works best? And if you have a recommendation, looking at the transco blanks which type work best with that type of stylus? Is this a fools errand?

I have a perfectly good vintage sapphire cutting stylus, but it seems meant for the fat 78 needle playback. I'd love to cut something that plays better with a modern turntable. (yeah my machine can run at 33 an 45 rpm)

Post: # 19319Unread post **markrob** Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:03 pm

Hi,

THe standard long shank for a Presto (462 IIRC) might work for you. The Presto is .062" diameter with a flat for alignment. Since the shank is aluminum, its easy to cut to a shorter length with some nippers if required.

Post: # 19320Unread post **emorritt** Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:18 pm

All W-G machines used what were considered 'short shank' styluses. Just take the 462 and cut it off with wire cutters and file the end flat. That's what I've done for all my smaller lathes and it works fine.

Post: # 19353Unread post **Steve E.** Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:33 am

I use the Grampian Short Shank Stylus that Apollo sells (#362) on my Wilcox Gay Recordio. Not the same as the recordette, but it's probably what you want. And heck, let me take that "old 78 sapphire" off your hands for you!!

Am I missing something here, Markrob and emorritt? Why would you go through the extra step of cutting down a #462 stylus?

Post: # 19362Unread post **emorritt** Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:22 am

OK, wasn't sure if with all the games Apollo is playing if they even made the Grampian shortie any longer. I have several machines in my "old stuff" collection that use both long and short shank styluses so I usually bought a bunch of longs and just cut off the ones I needed for the short shank machines. It'll work either way...

Post: # 19654Unread post **Angry Jim** Mon May 14, 2012 10:19 pm

Now ya tell me! Well, I got the 462 (yup I cut it down!) and it works great! (I'm keeping my old 78 stylus! Sorry!)
Well I've been experimenting and tried cutting on various plastics. (dictaphone discs, plexiglass, cds) The best is still the picnic plates, but it's still pretty lo-fi. I even found some vintage wilcox gay blanks but they seemed crumbly when they cut. I don't know about that old plastic.

I Guess I should break down and buy some real blanks from apollo. so expensive though! Did anyone on these forums ever come up with a better DIY alternative? The thing vibrates really good, so I gotta believe there's a better way.

Thanks folks!

Post: # 19655Unread post **Angry Jim** Mon May 14, 2012 10:26 pm

Oh! I just found the wiki! Seems all my answers are here: http://lathetrolls.pbworks.com/w/page/22959575/The%20Secret%20Society%20of%20Lathe%20Trolls
I'll see what I can do and repost. I'm sure other people with recordettes would be interested in a test case.

Post: # 19677Unread post **tragwag** Tue May 15, 2012 11:01 pm

Angry Jim wrote:Oh! I just found the wiki! Seems all my answers are here: http://lathetrolls.pbworks.com/w/page/22959575/The%20Secret%20Society%20of%20Lathe%20Trolls
I'll see what I can do and repost. I'm sure other people with recordettes would be interested in a test case.

yes!
i've got a recordette as well, and im about to start some better tests.
the best for me has been some old blanks, though cdrs work pretty well.
the plates i've used haven't really worked at all, it seems the brand makes a difference!