NEWBIE STARTER GUIDE!

[Angus McCarthy]

Thank you, Mike!

Man, I wish this post was made 10 years ago, it would have saved me a lot of headaches and frustration over the years!

[billythedev]

Thank you for sharing all these informations with us!

[crinch]

Thank you!!

[piaptk]

Updated the main post for the first time in a few years.

[tsalehpour]

Thanks for this!

[fox___]

This is super helpful! Thank you for the breakdown!

[Skwoz821]

Might I inquire if Sapphire Embossing on PETG is a bad idea?
I’ve read that PETG is softer than Polycarbonate, wouldn’t the be beneficial for fidelity and stylus life?

[piaptk]

Might I inquire if Sapphire Embossing on PETG is a bad idea?
I’ve read that PETG is softer than Polycarbonate, wouldn’t the be beneficial for fidelity and stylus life?

It just doesn't sound good. Lots of surface noise and dull high end.

[Skwoz821]

Any thoughts on heating a sapphire embossing stylus?
Is it pointless for embossing?
Has there been any research on this?

Also, I believe you’re the person behind recordlatheparts.com?
If applicable, what temperature are those styli rated for?

Just bought a stylus from there, can’t wait to try it out.
Cheers!

[piaptk]

We don't heat the stylus for embossing, just heat the disc to around 105 degrees. Never really tried. I've always been told that you have to have suction pulling air past the stone if you are heating it and suction is the reason I hate doing anything but embossing. And we get pretty good results without it.

But, if you give it a go, let us know how it works!

And yes, I run RLP.

[CutR]

Is cutting not embossing polycarbonate with tungsten ok? the reason i ask is the stock gakken/PO-80 blanks are PETG and are supposed to be cut with the stock stylus what i amuse is tungsten. Although I'm not 100% sure it could be steel no?

[piaptk]

Is cutting not embossing polycarbonate with tungsten ok? the reason i ask is the stock gakken/PO-80 blanks are PETG and are supposed to be cut with the stock stylus what i amuse is tungsten. Although I'm not 100% sure it could be steel no?

I don't use tungsten needles or really cut (other than the very occasional diamond stylus cut or lacquer dub), I have found that embossing cones on polycarbonate are the best bang for my buck and get me great results for the money, so I've stopped experimenting with all the other possible combinations (there are plenty of combo results documented in my Newbie Starter Guide above).

[shinyskittles]

(PVC) Pressed Blank Records and PVC Discs Pressed blanks can be ordered through a pressing plant in large quantities and Soft PVC blank discs are available from RecordBlanks.com, but only seem to work with tungsten embossing needles. Blank pressed records, only work with diamond cutting needles, and are, in my experience, not worth messing with. These are both very hard on styli.

Heat up PVC slightly would that be an option?
I have 10 yellow blank pvc records ready to be cut

[Priestness]

Super information! I'm so glad I found this forum.

[VinylFiend]

Brilliant guide and a resource i keep returning to. Thanks Mike!

[whappolol]

What a great guiden many thanks !

[buckyhold]

Thank you Mike. This was very informative. I truly appreciate you taking the time to lay this info out for us newbs.

Maybe I missed this but did you happen to mention what type of cutting Stylus and blank material you use and prefer?

[Avios_99]

Great guide. Very informative
I knew the subject was niche, but the availability of machines and parts seems to be a huge thing.
I'm surprised there aren't more manufacturers out there.
Just not enough demand because everything is digital?

[spinnertownblanks]

Great guide. Very informative
I knew the subject was niche, but the availability of machines and parts seems to be a huge thing.
I'm surprised there aren't more manufacturers out there.
Just not enough demand because everything is digital?

There is definitely enough demand, the issue is firstly that they are not that easy to make, you can do it yourself and there are lots of guides on here, but to buy from elsewhere means not only buying a lathe, but also the support. No lathes are plug and play and people generally need a lot of one on one time dependant on your prior experience in things like audio mastering. We always say lathe cutting is 50% mastering and 50% lathe operation.

We sell 10 lathes per year, this way we have enough time to dedicate to each individual person. The scarcity is due to such high demand generally. There are more and more lathes coming onto the market, so if anything, now is likely an easier time than ever to get one

If interested in cutting there is the 'Lathe Cut Camp' in the US, and 'Lathe Cut Lab' in the UK where you can spend a weekend learning, as sometimes people decide cutting isn't for them. If you want to dive right in and make one, you'll find all the info in Lathe Trolls.