CutterHead

[merenderos97]

Hi all. I'm still trying to build a record-cutting machine but I'm having some troubles.
Firstly, I'm using the turnable of a record player for this project. Then, I have already an idea for doing the axial guide line(which allow the cutterhead slide from the outer to the center of the record). Of course, I have done the "computer science" part too with Arduino.

I've given a read to several posts on this forum, including this one( https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8187) but I still have some questions.

It remains a big problem that I don't know to solve... How to make the cutterhead?
I'm thinking to buy two exciters like this one: https://www.amazon.it/Dayton-Audio-DAEX19CT-4-Vented-Exciter/dp/B00M2921X6
Or is better to buy two trasducer?
I already have a Stylus. Then I thought to buy two perfume funnels or two aluminum cones(but where could I buy them?).
And now I don't know how to procede. I don't know how to start the torque tube(is it possible to find an aluminum rod on the Internet?), how transfer the signal from the perfume funnels/aluminium cones to the torque turbe(I see people use some "metallic thin rod") and how keep screwed the stylus in the torque tube.

I will share a photograph of a project found on the Internet that show these components and report on it some questions.

Thanks in advance to all.

[disconnectedinyak]

Having looked at the Mantra and other heads, I could be wrong here but I believe the tube connected to the cone is a brass tube like https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Hobbies-Collecting/Tools-Blades/Brass-Tubes---1-8%22/p/24130. (common brass hobby-tubing)
The cone is definitely a PLA or ABS 3D-printed cone that could be designed on a CAD program like Tinkercad (the layered texture is the dead-giveaway)
I have also experimented with low-wattage exciters like the one you link to but found them FAR below sufficient output to cut or emboss. However I would recommend a more serious transducer like https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10975 (but really you need far more watts). Since you mention turntables, I'd also advise to consider direct-drive turntables and speed control. Yes you can drop a feed mechanism for that head on anything but it needs torque to deal with recording needle drag. You are at the very earliest beginning of a very difficult project and this is the right place for advice. Many cutters have some experience with Recordio or similar home cutting machines and other antique audio technology, which are invaluable in learning to record on disc. Cutter-head building quickly becomes a business for anybody that is successful at it, so there is no step-by-step tutorial out there. Look to those who have used speakers as their drivers (youtube, here and elsewhere), they are embossing/cutting records without spending big money on heads... And as they would say here, expect to start with Mono. ..the "newbie guide PDF" https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=8328 recently posted is fantastic. Just my 2 cents.

[Estrada]

If you haven't already, check out this thread.

https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8187&p=53058&hilit=stereo+cutter+head#p53058

There is a lot of great information here.

[merenderos97]

Thanks you all for your answers. In the past days I finally got the link of the cutterhead's project I posted. This is the link: https://figch.de/index.php?nav=recordlathe_cutterheadv3
I'm trying to get a close result like that, because it's the first time I'm trying to build one.

Reply to disconnectedinyak
You were right, the little rods are made of brass(0.8mm), while the cones are made in PLA. The torque rod is made of aluminium, but I still hadn't understood if it's empty/full/threaded inside and where get one. But I think the best could be a brass one(maybe to hard to find one).
I was still considering the possibility my turnable is not able to supply a sufficient torque. By the way, I have an Audio-Technica LP120 with the possibility to speed up to 93 rpm circa. So I could try to speed up the rpm accounting the pressure force of the cutterhead on the plate.

So, I decided to follow the link I posted before because there are several photos of the cutterhead and a pretty good description of "steps".
Just yesterday, before your messagges, I bought two speakers 40mm(1.5") with an impedance of 8Ohm and a power of 8W. I didn't find anything more powerful on the Web for this diameter. Also, I didn't want to get too large speakers due to the final dimension of the cutterhead. I thought 40mm could be a nice compromise. This is the link of the speakers: https://www.ebay.it/itm/NEW-8Ohm-8%CE%A9-8W-Full-Range-Audio-Speaker-Stereo-Loudspeaker-Horn-40-24mm/322283725287?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

Then I started to create my cutterhead support with a 3D modeling software(still not ended the work), and I'll try to design those two cones too. For the cones I don't know what inclination to use. It seems a 60° could be a a good choice. I've the possibility to print those parts with a 3D printer at University(a real good thing ).

Reply to Estrada
Yes I've already read some of that thread. Firsty, I was thinking to build a cutterhead like that one. Finally, I prefered to use the link I posted before as reference becase it seems more simple than that one(mostly for the photos attached). Of course, I will try to build one better(more serious) cutterhead in the future but at the time I need to get some experience with this new "subject" for me.


Any other general advices is appreciated

Thanks again for your answer