PVC Cutting experience

[ejemmons]

Having done 100 plus PVC records....

1. Opcode's plastic cutting guide is essential viewing - good job Todd!
2. MyShank products are superior in every way, including styli, and customer service is excellent!!!
3. Static is a big issue, and hose choice is key, and no, I have yet to find same that is REALLY reliable, although wrapping same with conductive tape (conductive adhesive as well), does help a lot.
4. They sound good, but can't best lacquer - transient response is worse, and there is a bit of HF loss.
5. A pain in the ass to cut.... you must watch like a hawk, although if it goes wrong, well...
6. Advance ball (Westrex) heads invariably leave streaks, the wax makes this rather worse, but you cut right through them, so it's mostly cosmetic.
7. OK, they last longer.
8. Chip drops often produce a skip, and can fry the stylus tip if it runs over the dropped chip. It also has a great love of balling up 'round the stylus. And chip drops are much more prone to occur.
9. Blank heating is not critical, thank goodness, but RH in the room should be kept above 30%, and the ion gen improves both static and my mood!

The best part is the return to lacquer cutting, as one heaves a great sigh of relief.... Been to see Terry and Sam at Apollo last week, they are making many improvements, and spirits are high, support them!