Blanks in Bulk

Topics regarding professional record cutting.

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MrPoppers
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Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 46741Unread post MrPoppers
Mon Apr 24, 2017 9:21 am

Hey all

I'm having some trouble finding a good source to obtain blank records. Whether they are Vinyl or Plastic.
I am strongly considering purchasing a lathe but I am unsure whether I can afford it while also having get get blanks. Not to mention somehow earning the money back...

If you have any advice or want to be a voice of reason, please reach out.

Thanks,
Perry

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The Shank
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 46747Unread post The Shank
Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:13 pm

I'm sure some guys can help you here
http://www.myshank.com
skype : steven.myshank

* Diamond cutting stylus officials/prototypes
* Resharpening services
* Blank records
* Cutting lathe

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piaptk
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 46784Unread post piaptk
Thu Apr 27, 2017 5:52 pm

Snarky, but simultaneously totally sincere response:

If you are wondering if you can afford to get into record cutting, you probably can't.

It is next to impossible to make money in the short term cutting records. If you want to invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours learning the craft and then make minimum wage offering cutting service after that, it can be done.

Cutting records is a passion project, not a business plan.
I Buy/Sell/Restore Vintage Machines/Parts and Provide Phone/In Person Tech Support
www.MichaelDixonVinylArt.com
www.LatheCutCamp.com
www.RecordLatheParts.com
www.MobileVinylRecorders.com
www.LatheCuts.com

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piaptk
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 46785Unread post piaptk
Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:22 pm

If you use the search for "blanks" on here, a hundred threads will come up with who to buy them from and how to source them locally.

If you search "newbie" you will also find a lot of great threads about how to get into cutting records.

People who get into cutting records in order to make money, or even expect to break even, fare about as well as people who start playing guitar for the same reasons.

I know four other people who make their living cutting records (not counting professional mastering engineers) and they all have the following things in common:

1) they started at least five years ago
2) they have more than one machine
3) they did it for years before they started doing it for money
4) they spent a ton of money and time learning
5) they did it because they were obsessed
6) they live extremely modest existences
7) they all had local mentors to help them get started (you can *start* to replace that with this forum nowadays, but it requires a TON of reading and research).
I Buy/Sell/Restore Vintage Machines/Parts and Provide Phone/In Person Tech Support
www.MichaelDixonVinylArt.com
www.LatheCutCamp.com
www.RecordLatheParts.com
www.MobileVinylRecorders.com
www.LatheCuts.com

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47265Unread post fredbissnette
Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:37 pm

i make a living (meaning i eat) from making lathe cuts

i use polycarbonate (lexan) and it costs me 200 cdn per sheet and i get 64 7'' out of that

i cut the blanks myself using a bandsaw 24tpi blade and a circle jig

there are a lot of other things to consider aside from just a machine to make records

i ended up building mine.

if you are careful and honest it can be done.

cheers
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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piaptk
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47266Unread post piaptk
Sat Jul 01, 2017 12:15 am

Fred, you should shop around. When I was making 7" blanks in the same way you describe it was costing me $45 a sheet.
I Buy/Sell/Restore Vintage Machines/Parts and Provide Phone/In Person Tech Support
www.MichaelDixonVinylArt.com
www.LatheCutCamp.com
www.RecordLatheParts.com
www.MobileVinylRecorders.com
www.LatheCuts.com

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47267Unread post fredbissnette
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:06 am

45 usd for a 4'x8' sheet of lexan 1/6''?

im in nova scotia canada
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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piaptk
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47268Unread post piaptk
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:36 am

1/6" or 1/16"

I pay $45 a sheet for 1/16 makrolon (same as lexan, just a different brand).
I Buy/Sell/Restore Vintage Machines/Parts and Provide Phone/In Person Tech Support
www.MichaelDixonVinylArt.com
www.LatheCutCamp.com
www.RecordLatheParts.com
www.MobileVinylRecorders.com
www.LatheCuts.com

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47269Unread post fredbissnette
Sat Jul 01, 2017 5:50 pm

1/16 lol sorry

i could see about makrolon

if i had it at 45 usd per sheet i could make 500%


lol
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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Gridlock
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47270Unread post Gridlock
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:59 pm

I find special super secret picnic plates from100% poly-vinyl-chloride made in a good plate factory in black shaggy.. Still a pain in the ads but I love doing everything by hand and my wife mows the lawn with scissors. Not even joking
<\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[[[[[[[\/]]]]]]]\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\>
Recordette Sr.......Presto K-8

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47271Unread post fredbissnette
Sun Jul 02, 2017 9:54 am

i found some red plates that work ok but no where near the fidelity of polycarb

what kina plates you got?
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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Dub Studio
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47324Unread post Dub Studio
Wed Jul 12, 2017 3:55 am

I don't agree. Now is as good a time as any, and there are people starting up all the time. Some succeed and some don't.

I agree you need to give yourself time, and yes you do need a bit of money behind you... but its the same as any career. You can't just wake up one morning and expect to get paid, no matter what career you choose.

I would encourage you to do your research, set aside some money and some time, and pursue your dreams.
piaptk wrote:Snarky, but simultaneously totally sincere response:

If you are wondering if you can afford to get into record cutting, you probably can't.

It is next to impossible to make money in the short term cutting records. If you want to invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours learning the craft and then make minimum wage offering cutting service after that, it can be done.

Cutting records is a passion project, not a business plan.

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47339Unread post fredbissnette
Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:26 pm

it took me 7 months to get going once i had everything sorted
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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Dub Studio
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47341Unread post Dub Studio
Wed Jul 12, 2017 6:14 pm

For me its been a 14-year journey so far, starting in 2003. I am still learning new things all the time. The way I see it is that in order to be good, you need to cut regularly, keep on top of your game, and learn from your mistakes.
fredbissnette wrote:it took me 7 months to get going once i had everything sorted

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47350Unread post fredbissnette
Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:24 pm

every mistake ive made i have learned a LOT from and ive made a bunch and they all cost me money

cutting records is hard but worth it

just keep doing it if you love it
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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Dub Studio
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47354Unread post Dub Studio
Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:39 am

Exactly, some problems are avoidable, and some aren't. Hardest lesson I learnt is that its impossible to do a perfect cut every time. I have learnt to be philosophical about it: perfection is not a destination, its just a direction to head in.

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47365Unread post fredbissnette
Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:56 am

i tell people its an entirely diy operation and no two records will sound the same
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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MEGAMIKE
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Location: west coast Australia

Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47377Unread post MEGAMIKE
Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:19 pm

hi
I agree with above comments..


I do it for fun/happy.. when "FUN" goes then so do I ..

become wedding dj or work in a shoe shop..
hahah

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fredbissnette
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47398Unread post fredbissnette
Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:46 pm

i was a wedding dj then i did sound for bands then i recorded bands and i hated many aspects of it

i dont hate anything about cutting records
Instagram @styluspressurerecords

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The_House_Records
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Re: Blanks in Bulk

Post: # 47629Unread post The_House_Records
Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:17 am


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