The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

tape · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 93

This topic have come up a lot here - what material can I cut in? can I cut CDR's, ? plastic? etc.

Most of the answers have been in the line of "Plastic from the grocery store" and the like.

I think it would be real helpfull to a lot of people here with a list of material, and which cutters / needles they are suited for.
I am sure that a lot of people here have done their own experiments...

I myself would like to cut with a Wilcox Gay Recordette with a steel or saphire needle, in a material where the needle does not wear out quickly.

I imagine that some sort of soft plastic would be suitable, to make flexidisc-style discs. Another thing that could be interesting is to make 'sounding postcards' that is a normal postcard with glue? or some kind of laquer? on top.

To the point:
In order to get materials like this you need to know the name of the material, and have a picture or description which I hope somebody here has.

thanks

OLDLEE · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Ontario Canada

I have cut records on a Wilcox Gay Recordette using plastic picnic plates (no name on them - mine are blue, but I've seen red ones, too). The "food" side has some type of highly polished lacquer...one uses the other matte-finish side for recording.
By the time the rim is cut away, one has a blank of about 7 inches diam.
The noise level is higher than desirable, but it works quite well...the "swarf" swirling away form the cutting needle is an indication of a good cut. A VERY sharp needle is a necessity (I grind my own).
Hope this helps a bit.