Wilcox Gaye Recordio- cutting into transparent discs

[mike823]

Hi All,

I'm new to the list. I can cut using recordio discs but only get scatchy sounds when I try to cut blank transparent discs. How do I heat the discs to allow for a cut? I tried a hair dryer, no luck. Suggestions? mike823

[lucca2]

Hi Mike,

What material are the blank discs?

What lathe are you using? And with what needle?

Cheers,
Lucca

[mike823]

Here are images of the cutter and discs

Mike

[tragwag]

ok so there are two types of cutting at this level, cutting and embossing.
embossing works with an extreme 'leaned back' angle, which the recordio (I think you actually have a Recordette), unfortunately can't achieve.
so let's put embossing aside, if you'd like to read into it there are many more resources on this forum.

the Recordio/Recordette was built to cut into lacquers or soft coated blanks.
steel or ruby needles were used for this purpose.
the blanks you have there are PETG plastic, much harder than the soft lacquer blanks.
keeping the angle and working relationship of the Cutting process, you would need a diamond stylus to properly cut a groove into those PETG blanks.

I hope this clarification helps, there are resources all over the site as to how to cut vs how to emboss.
The truth is the Recordette doesn't have any adjustments at all, so you're stuck with cutting at one force and angle, and should plan around that.

happy cutting!