The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

Self-lather · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Atlanta, Ga

Hey,

Awhile ago I was working to get my Recordette in working order. I ended up moving and the project got shelved, but I'm back in action now and picking up from where I left off.

Cuttercollector, you told me about a 'bootstrap' of sort that connects to the cutting head on the Recordette. When I remove this, it make the head start working. However, this is obviously here for a purpose. What is the purpose of the bootstrap, and why does removing it fix the problem?

I have yet to really get a good sounding cut out of this machine. I can barely hear what is going on when I play it back on my record player. I can slightly hear something, but I assume I can get a better sound than this. I had the head rebuilt, and I've got a new cutting needle. Any advice? I'm cutting to CD-r's by the way.

-Thomas

emorritt · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Louisiana

Not exactly sure what you're referring to as the "bootstrap"... maybe the clip mount where the pickup/cutter is located? Or maybe the grounded clip of the leads running down the arm and to the electronics below?

You won't get a "really good sounding cut" from a Recordette - or a Recordio, or many other 'home' type recorders. They were simply devices meant to preserve radio programs, family events, etc. If the level is low, are you recording from the microphone, radio, or does your unit have an input where you could connect an external source? If recording from the microphone, it may need to be rebuilt as well. The little round hard-wired mics of these unit were rochelle salt crystal (like the pickup/cutter) and will lose output signal level over time. They're not hard to rebuild - same procedure as the pickup/cutter element; actually a little easier.

I've made some "good" sounding recordings of radio broadcasts with my Recordette, but the limitations of the cutting pressure and subsequent groove depth issues and the limited frequency response of the pickup/cutter device don't make for a quality recording system. The larger Recordio products that use an Astatic X-26, and some of the other manufacturer's machines that used M-31 cutters or other cutting heads make better sounding recordings, but you really have to move up to something like a transcription lathe or at least a more "pro' type machine like a Federal or Rek-O-Kut unit to get something that really sounds close to a professional recording. Even with the larger machines, they have to be properly restored electronically and the cutter serviced to give really good results.

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 307 Location: San Jose, CA

Perhaps the issue is the little combination pickup/cutter does not have enough level capability to cut into the harder CD-R material.
Really the previous reply is right. It was a low cost attempt and is not as good as the next bigger units with the 2 arms and big crystal cutters, which are not as good as the semi-pro units withtheir mag cutters, which are not as good as the pro machines.
There is minimal power available from the amp -perhaps 1-2 wattts max. but the small crystal couldn' take any more than that anyway. And it can't cut very loud. It's original blanks were cardboard with a thin laquer coating.

I don't know if I ever used the term bootstrap, but I seem to recall you having an issue with the cutter working till you installed it in the metal arm. There is a strap from one pin to the mounting screw. This must be the ground side of the signal on the 2 wires or you will just short the amp to ground when you ground it to the arm by mounting it with the screw and strap.

Self-lather · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Atlanta, Ga

Hmmm. I think maybe my brain must have made up that term. But either way, I'll try to get some pictures up so you can see exactly what I'm talking about.

I know the sound quality of the recordette, especially when cutting to CD-r is supposed to not be all that great, but the results I'm getting now are really really noisey and the source is barely audible. I am recording via my iPOD through the mono rca plug on the machine. I can definitely hear the sound coming from the head. This may just be the best I can get from this machine.

I will continue to experiment.

-Thomas