cutting laser discs

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.

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johann
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cutting laser discs

Post: # 2362Unread post johann
Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:36 pm

Hi there, I'm new to cutting, having only done so for less than a week now. I've learned now from my cuts that it's not quite as simple as set up your gear and go :)

Anyway, I have an RCA... something cutting head, unheated, and would like to make cuts that sound good on laser discs as I have come into possession of a bunch of them. My attempts so far have been rather quiet and a bit 'screechy'. Is this because I should be using a heated stylus, or because I need more practice? Or do laser discs generally not provide the best surface for cutting?

Thanks in advance,

John
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Jccc
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Post: # 2365Unread post Jccc
Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:53 pm

Have you got the cutting head remagnitized? Also do you have a amp that has a VU meter to check the signal your sending into the head??

Those could be the reasons why your getting a low signal. As for the screeching sound you will have to adjust the angle and depth of the cut to get a pretty decent cut.
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johann
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Post: # 2368Unread post johann
Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:00 am

the head is remagnetized, but the amp I'm using is actually a regular home stereo amp (I had the head remade to work with it). It doesn't have a VU meter though. I'll continue experimenting I guess :)
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Jccc
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Post: # 2369Unread post Jccc
Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:18 am

I tried cutting a few laserdisc and im also using a unheated needle also and each time they were hissy so i kind of gave up on them.

Im new to this art also and i found that the plastic picnic plates produce a pretty decent sound with low surface noise.
I was even scratching on them and they still sound good!!!

:D
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johann
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Post: # 2371Unread post johann
Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:44 pm

Nice, I'll give them a try
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