Sapphire & Reference Lites - or Diamond and PVC

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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Nigie
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Sapphire & Reference Lites - or Diamond and PVC

Post: # 2775Unread post Nigie
Fri May 09, 2008 7:07 am

Can someone confirm reference lites are cut using a heated sapphire please ?

What is the better option,
Sapphire & Reference Lites - or Diamond and PVC ?

For quality and durability of 7" records to be played in a jukebox ?

Thanks

Nigel

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blight
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Post: # 2776Unread post blight
Fri May 09, 2008 7:26 am

for jukeboxes, PVC only, with a large center hole and 1.5mm thick.
souri made his machine for jukeboxes. it works great.
jukeboxes are adjusted to a bit more needle weight than a usual turntable - about 5-7 grams usually.

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JayDC
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Post: # 2779Unread post JayDC
Fri May 09, 2008 2:49 pm

the DJ lites don't have a second hole. I've had them slip on my presto before, totally sux.... you need the vacuum plater if you really want to use them. I've also have my chip vacuum actually pull the plate up off the platter, too. They can be hard to cut.

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blight
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Post: # 2782Unread post blight
Fri May 09, 2008 5:27 pm

there are prestos with vacuum platters?

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JayDC
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Post: # 2783Unread post JayDC
Fri May 09, 2008 5:48 pm

I've seen 8's with the vacuum platter. I think I could do it to my 6, since it has holes in the platter for it, just need to figure how how to rig it up.

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blight
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Post: # 2784Unread post blight
Fri May 09, 2008 5:57 pm

cool didnt know that, can you upload a picture of your lathe?

btw, you can use a piece of metal which you screw onto the axis of your platter to fix the plate to the platter. like a 5cm diameter 0.5cm thick disc with a hole in the middle that fits onto the platter's axis and another hole from the side into which a thread is cut, then you insert a hex screw, you need a long tool to reach the screw

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JayDC
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Post: # 2785Unread post JayDC
Fri May 09, 2008 6:38 pm

can't do that b/c my overhead cutting arm, clamps down the record.

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Nigie
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Post: # 2787Unread post Nigie
Sat May 10, 2008 7:43 am

Any more on my original thread please ? Its gone off topic.

I currently use 2mm PVC in my 8 jukeboxes and works fine, but was considering Reference Lites instead - on the basis that sapphire cutter styli are far less expensive than the diamond.

I have never had record wear issues on any kind of record in any of my jukeboxes, which I have owned for 20 odd years.
Ok they track slightly heavier, but if set up correctly they are perfect. Its where people dont measure the tracking and have binding trip switches and stiff tone arm cable that starts to bring wear into the equation.

Too light tracking is as bad as too heavy also.

I have played lacquers in them many times and they don't really seem to wear much more after the initial treble drop off.

So far then it looks like the consensu is to continue with PVC.
Souri no good as a source as he only sells to his customers.

Thanks, Nige

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studiorp
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Post: # 2789Unread post studiorp
Sat May 10, 2008 8:02 am

Hello Nigie, if you want buy PVC blanks, you can contact Andybee of Mastercut.eu, because he sell the same discs of Souri.
About PVC or acetate, I prefer the first, because it has a low wear of the groove than acetate.

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JayDC
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Post: # 2794Unread post JayDC
Sat May 10, 2008 2:57 pm

reference lites are a harder acetate coating and sound harsh compared to a dub. I've also heard the PVC has a harsher sound. With that in mind, I'd go with the PVC.

PVC blanks are cheap, and you go through more blanks then styli.

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Dub Studio
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Check em First

Post: # 2946Unread post Dub Studio
Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:28 pm

I had a whole batch of 12 inch lites from Apollo that were slightly "kinked" for want of a better word. There was a point on each plate where the surface was slightly uneven. Seems like the thin plates are harder make totally flat? I certainly won't buy again, but if I had to I would ask if its possible to return them if they look dodgy.

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Hamilton
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Check em First

Post: # 2957Unread post Hamilton
Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:46 pm

Dear Dub Studio. :D
Apollo Masters haven`t no problem to change the laquers happened to me they only ask the serial number that is stamped close the hole and that`s all feel free to ask them.

Take care.
Hamilton. :shock:

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Steve E.
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Post: # 2958Unread post Steve E.
Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:37 am

JayDC wrote:the DJ lites don't have a second hole. I've had them slip on my presto before, totally sux.....
Can't you request a second hole? I think they drill these things manually.

andybee
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Post: # 2961Unread post andybee
Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:16 am

I do not sell souris blanks!

Aussie0zborn
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Post: # 2963Unread post Aussie0zborn
Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:54 am

The holes in lacquer discs are not drilled - they are punched. If you drill a second hole you will more than likely kink the flat surface of the disc.

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