is it right that i can swap the mold size on toolex alpha machines.
can i basically use the press for 12.10 and 7 inch?
I just swap the molds and change the cycle?
cheers
question regarding toolex alpa mold size
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Aussie0zborn
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Aussie0zborn
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It is possible to convert a 12" automatic Toolex press to other sizes but once you do it you do not want to change it back again. This is a conversion and not a changeover, if you know what I mean.
With a manual press you can change over to different size moulds in an hour or so.
Did you buy a press?
With a manual press you can change over to different size moulds in an hour or so.
Did you buy a press?
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Aussie0zborn
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Hmm. I've seen two 1202 in UK for sale. Same one? I'm tempted to pick up some of the galvonics.
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montalbano
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It is also possible to convert an Alpha Toolex 12" to 10" without going crazy in replacing parts etc.
It has a sense (in my view) only if you have inline granulators (as we have), because with this technique every record will have a significant amount of flash. You will also need one worker to trim the records.
But the operation will be much faster than with manual presses. (we have 10" moulds also for our manual presses)
Anyway, here's the Italian way:
you need
- one set of 12" moulds to be refaced and reprofiled for 10", this means that you reprofile a regular mould for 12" with the profile of a 10", without worrying of the outer area. You might even avoid the "sacrifice" a good 12" set by using a set of old 12" moulds you are not using anymore e.g. because they are leaking or damaged in the area outside the inner 10". In this case you weld them if they are leaking or you leave them as they are if they are damaged in the diameter outside
- one manual trimmer with the knife cutting FROM ABOVE (so not working like a pair of scissors, like the knives of the auto Alphas trimmers do). Here we have old manual trimmers manufactured by Pressvit (Italian company); they have a knife acting from above and then another tool to smoothen the edge while the record keeps spinning. With scissors-type trimmers, it would be impossible to trim more than 2" of flash.
then you
- cut 14" (not 12") master lacquers with the Neumann using the setting for 10" for groove start etc.
- you plate as always, and form the stamper as always
- mount them exactly like 12" records: same rings etc., but of course on the reprofiled moulds
- remove the Alpha Toolex trimming TT unit: pin, TT etc. and replace it with a flat surface
- remove the air pipes activating the trimmer TT to move up and down
- remove the air pipes of the knives so that they don't move anymore
- take the records just when they are unloaded, manually trim them with the 10" trimmer and sleeve them
that's it
tip: if you use an economy ring to unload the record (so not the standard Alpha ring with the islets) you will produce less flash
It has a sense (in my view) only if you have inline granulators (as we have), because with this technique every record will have a significant amount of flash. You will also need one worker to trim the records.
But the operation will be much faster than with manual presses. (we have 10" moulds also for our manual presses)
Anyway, here's the Italian way:
you need
- one set of 12" moulds to be refaced and reprofiled for 10", this means that you reprofile a regular mould for 12" with the profile of a 10", without worrying of the outer area. You might even avoid the "sacrifice" a good 12" set by using a set of old 12" moulds you are not using anymore e.g. because they are leaking or damaged in the area outside the inner 10". In this case you weld them if they are leaking or you leave them as they are if they are damaged in the diameter outside
- one manual trimmer with the knife cutting FROM ABOVE (so not working like a pair of scissors, like the knives of the auto Alphas trimmers do). Here we have old manual trimmers manufactured by Pressvit (Italian company); they have a knife acting from above and then another tool to smoothen the edge while the record keeps spinning. With scissors-type trimmers, it would be impossible to trim more than 2" of flash.
then you
- cut 14" (not 12") master lacquers with the Neumann using the setting for 10" for groove start etc.
- you plate as always, and form the stamper as always
- mount them exactly like 12" records: same rings etc., but of course on the reprofiled moulds
- remove the Alpha Toolex trimming TT unit: pin, TT etc. and replace it with a flat surface
- remove the air pipes activating the trimmer TT to move up and down
- remove the air pipes of the knives so that they don't move anymore
- take the records just when they are unloaded, manually trim them with the 10" trimmer and sleeve them
that's it
tip: if you use an economy ring to unload the record (so not the standard Alpha ring with the islets) you will produce less flash
Phil from Phono Press, Milan, Italy
http://www.phonopress.it
http://www.phonopress.it
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montalbano
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Hey Chris
the "bead" is done by the modified profile of the moulds. The final trimming by the trimmer.
Of course the man which reprofiles the moulds has to dig the 10" edge profile at the same level of the original 12" edge.
And the trimmer must be adjustable.
The arm of these trimmers can be adjusted up to 2.5 inches back and forth.
So it wouldn't be possible to trim a 7" records without modifications, but 10"s have no issues.
Smaller plate (due to the vacuum holes) and that's it
the "bead" is done by the modified profile of the moulds. The final trimming by the trimmer.
Of course the man which reprofiles the moulds has to dig the 10" edge profile at the same level of the original 12" edge.
And the trimmer must be adjustable.
The arm of these trimmers can be adjusted up to 2.5 inches back and forth.
So it wouldn't be possible to trim a 7" records without modifications, but 10"s have no issues.
Smaller plate (due to the vacuum holes) and that's it
Phil from Phono Press, Milan, Italy
http://www.phonopress.it
http://www.phonopress.it
It would be a waste of time my friend to take 1-1.25 mm off the face of each side a set of 12" used moulds
If they have been refaced 2 odd times There would be no "meat" left on them
If one wants to pay $400-600 so as to find out that he has a useless pair of molds in his hands I see no point To me that is false economy
Any way assuming that it is all good and one does finish up with a set of 12" down to 10" you still have the issue of trimming them down as well as regrinding the excess material
For a manual press where there is an operator there any way I can see the merits
For all this this on an auto machine? What's the point?
There are successfully modified 1202 pressing 7" records
For the 10" format all the gear is easily available If you think about it you only need a reduction ring for the 12" arm down to 10"
Than you will need a 10" inner ring for the un-loader
Turntable, is easy to turn one up on the 12" centre the trimmer knife is easily moved cake former is again a simple matter so why bother
Molds are a consumable so a new set of 10" is required the bits like stamper holder as well as bayonet ring holders are available as new and I am sure there are some used sitting around
I would not bother with it and it is not a case that there is any great demand for the 10" format so as to warrant changing a machine over on demand or having a dedicated 10" press sitting idle for most of the time
Unless there is some real change in the market as we know it I would need to be convinced on the 10" format regardless
We are answering a question here for some aspiring ex Record cutter who now wants to be a pressing guy some time in the future Hello Boris
Cheers
If they have been refaced 2 odd times There would be no "meat" left on them
If one wants to pay $400-600 so as to find out that he has a useless pair of molds in his hands I see no point To me that is false economy
Any way assuming that it is all good and one does finish up with a set of 12" down to 10" you still have the issue of trimming them down as well as regrinding the excess material
For a manual press where there is an operator there any way I can see the merits
For all this this on an auto machine? What's the point?
There are successfully modified 1202 pressing 7" records
For the 10" format all the gear is easily available If you think about it you only need a reduction ring for the 12" arm down to 10"
Than you will need a 10" inner ring for the un-loader
Turntable, is easy to turn one up on the 12" centre the trimmer knife is easily moved cake former is again a simple matter so why bother
Molds are a consumable so a new set of 10" is required the bits like stamper holder as well as bayonet ring holders are available as new and I am sure there are some used sitting around
I would not bother with it and it is not a case that there is any great demand for the 10" format so as to warrant changing a machine over on demand or having a dedicated 10" press sitting idle for most of the time
Unless there is some real change in the market as we know it I would need to be convinced on the 10" format regardless
We are answering a question here for some aspiring ex Record cutter who now wants to be a pressing guy some time in the future Hello Boris
Cheers
Chris