Heat lamp

This is where record cutters raise questions about cutting, and trade wisdom and experiment results. We love Scully, Neumann, Presto, & Rek-O-Kut lathes and Wilcox-Gay Recordios (among others). We are excited by the various modern pro and semi-pro systems, too, in production and development. We use strange, extinct disc-based dictation machines. And other stuff, too.

Moderators: piaptk, tragwag, Steve E., Aussie0zborn

Post Reply
User avatar
grapesofwrath
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2025 4:38 pm

Heat lamp

Post: # 69080Unread post grapesofwrath
Mon Feb 09, 2026 7:41 am

Hello,

For weeks I’ve been looking for a decent heat lap for warming blanks that would go well together with my Atom 101 lathe but I can’t make my mind up.

Any recommendations or help with specific lamps and links ideally would be very appreciated!

UK based.

Thank you

User avatar
Dub Studio
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:41 am
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69095Unread post Dub Studio
Wed Feb 11, 2026 6:17 pm

Yes I favour lamps with G4 halogen bulbs. They are small and kick out a nice bit of heat with the right reflector, cheap and easy to get hold of unlike your tungsten spots.

User avatar
grapesofwrath
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2025 4:38 pm

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69128Unread post grapesofwrath
Sun Feb 15, 2026 4:00 pm

Dub Studio wrote:
Wed Feb 11, 2026 6:17 pm
Yes I favour lamps with G4 halogen bulbs. They are small and kick out a nice bit of heat with the right reflector, cheap and easy to get hold of unlike your tungsten spots.
Thanks for the reply! I got a YJINGRUJI 250W food heating lamp in the end and it works a treat. I definitely recommend.

User avatar
Dub Studio
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:41 am
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69129Unread post Dub Studio
Sun Feb 15, 2026 6:44 pm

Sounds good. I tend to prefer small concentrated lamps because my workspace can get quite cluttered, especially when working with 12 inches.

I have one light on the left for heating, one small spot on the right for the stylus so I can see when it lands, and one big overhead light so the whole space is well lit.

User avatar
David34
Posts: 234
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:12 pm

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69147Unread post David34
Wed Feb 18, 2026 4:37 pm

I bought a bathroom heater lamp fitting and hang it from the ceiling with an adjustable (vertical) hook.. Its the best system because the heat is even over the disc ... I have posted something somewhere on this..

Cost me $10 at hardware store..

User avatar
Dub Studio
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:41 am
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69148Unread post Dub Studio
Wed Feb 18, 2026 6:44 pm

I find that you don't need to heat the whole disc, in fact it's best if you don't because the centre of the disc gets a lot hotter than the edge. I tend to apply a small targetted heat source to the edge of the disc, and the heat naturally makes it's way to the centre, and you get much more even spread.

User avatar
SueDenim
Posts: 251
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:51 am
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69164Unread post SueDenim
Sat Feb 21, 2026 6:59 am

Dub Studio wrote:
Wed Feb 11, 2026 6:17 pm
Yes I favour lamps with G4 halogen bulbs. They are small and kick out a nice bit of heat with the right reflector, cheap and easy to get hold of unlike your tungsten spots.
Hi Henry,

I don't suppose you have a link to those G4 halogen lamps you use do you?
I've finally reached the end of my old stock of 60W R50 Reflector spots and will need to switch to a modern alternative soon!

Cheers mate
Gav.

User avatar
Dub Studio
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:41 am
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69165Unread post Dub Studio
Sat Feb 21, 2026 8:57 am

Hey G, it was inevitable I guess!

They are often used in kitchen downlights for some reason so BnQ sometimes have them, just need to make sure they are halogen and not LED. I think I got my last lot from TLC electrical distributors because they were closer.

You can get the lamps in various shapes and sizes, I picked up a few clamp-on swan-necks off Ebay. Best to get ones with a reflector to focus the beam tho ;)

H

User avatar
buckyhold
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:15 am
Location: Spring Creek Nevada

Re: Heat lamp

Post: # 69255Unread post buckyhold
Sun Mar 08, 2026 5:29 am

I see on youtube "The Victrola Guy" (not sure if he is part of this site) uses an oil he mentioned it was Pearl kerosene. he puts a few drops on the blank and uses a brush to spread a thin layer on it. He claims it softens the blank just as good as using a heat lamp. has anyone tried this? if so what are your thoughts?

Im really only familiar with Presto 6n and 8n manuals and they don't ever mention needing to use a heat lamp, hot stylus, or really anything. so i assume it was a concept developed later down the line from when they wrote the manual.

Im woking on a Presto 8N with a 1D head and it has a pretty interesting hot stylus mod i haven't seen before. id love to hear what you all think of cutting with hot stylus, like is it necessary?, better?, maybe its best with certain materials? what methods are you using or prefer. I am debating if i need to do the mod i mentioned on all of our presto heads or is there a different way i'm not thinking of. thanks
Corey Creth.

Long live rock n’ roll
Deliver me from the days of old
The beat of the drum is loud and bold
The feeling is there body and soul
Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll

Post Reply