The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

jornibudich · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

Hello guys
I experimented with a couple of big laser discs during the weekend and quite surprised Smile

Using a microgroove Imperial 2, just centering the hole (almost as a 45) and lifting the cutting arm a bit since the laser disc is wider ; The thread is different than lacquer but runs smoothly while cutting with no playback problems (still well playable now after almost 20 times) - yeah, a bit scratchy in certain areas but not much differences after cleaning an overplayed dub. The styli still working for the laser disc (not able to cut dubs with that one - the sharp has change).
Has anyone tried this any further? Let me know!
Cheers
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JORNI (Vancouver BC)

Jesus H Chrysler · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Charleston, SC

are you using the ones that look like big cd's or the black rca laserlight type. I tried one of them. didn't work so well for me on the first try, but I had been setup for a very different medium and it may have been a cutting angle issue. i've got another one. maybe I'll try it.

jornibudich · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I used the new ones not the old RCA's!
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JORNI (Vancouver BC)

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 303 Location: San Jose, CA

Trivia, but the RCA video discs are not laser read. They have GROOVES!
AND they are read by a stylus though not mechanically like our favorite media. The system works via variable capacitace kind of like a condenser microphone. This varying capacitance is transformed in a very analog way into the video (and audio) signal.
So it would be hard to cut the RCA discs as they have grooves on both sides already of a much finer pitch than we cut.
BTW laser discs are not digital video either. It is an analog signal read by the laser. The early sound was analog also - somewhat like VHS Hi Fi where it is recorded with the video on a carrier, but they kept changing that, first going to CD style digital and eventually Dolby digital 5.1 and DTS on the last gen product to compete with the then new DVDs.
My personal preference is to not destroy good playable media of any format.

tape · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 93

I have not tried yet, because I'm afraid to destroy my cutting needles, and I dont have a heated stylus, nor diamond - only saphire and steel.

I am very interested in doing it though.

Did you use a heated needle?
I guess the material is the same as a regular CD, which is very hard...

Any experiences are highly welcome

buckettovsissors · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 56

Hi,
Ive cut to a laser disc with my wilcoxgay. it worked pertty well with a sharp steel styli. There was some surface noise but It seemed that some tracks had more then others, could just be the freq. of the tracks themselves. Anyway I just bought a small lot from ebay and will try again. The main problem is that the hole is just a tad smaller then a 7" so the 7" adaptors dont work. But I ordered some 12" labels and will rig something up with them. They are also very thick and heavy compared to cds. I think I get slightly better cuts to a cdr for some reason.
-theo
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http://buckettovsissors.widerstand.org

tape · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 93

hmm. I would guess that the surface noise is beacause of the steel needle, maybe Saphire will be better...

I tried making a center hole using thick carcboard cut to fit, then apply a label sticker on each side - works fine.