The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

Hello, Hamilton,

What model is your Rek-O-Kut? The feedscrew pitch should be etched into the screw near the large brass gear. It will look something like 120 OI, meaning 120lpi, outside-in. I'd be interested if you have a screw I can use.

Thanks,
Jim

I know for sure that the Soundscriber and Dictabelt recorders used lateral modulation. The later units from both companies used off-the-shelf Astatic crystal or ceramic pickups, albeit very small ones probably developed originally for OEM record changers. All dictating systems embossed, or 'dented,'...

I've got one of these things, but have never taken it apart or tried to use it. It uses the thin red plastic 'blanks' with big holes (like a '45) that are offered elsewhere here. I did speak to someone who claimed that "everything Edison" was hill-and-dale (vertical modulation), but I wouldn't swear...

I'd like to heartily recommend this book. It explores the history of electrical disc recording up to stereo records. Sections include Equipment, Techniques and Recollections. There is a lot of good information contained here, including numerous vintage photos and reprints of manufacturers' data shee...

I had a Radiotone once, it was definitely an early-to-mid-40s lathe with a most unimpressive overhead mechanism. The whole thing was fabricated from stamped sheetmetal where other would use machined castings. Perhaps my early one was a lesser model than the one described here. Regarding the Olson he...

Hi, just joined and saw your post. Still have these? Do they have the large centerhole, like a 45rpm record?

My "bible" from the mid-1950s onward was Oliver Read's The Recording and Reproduction of Sound. Not a how-to book as much as it's an anthology of period gear with a good bit of history. The book pops up now and again on half-dot-com or eBay.

Hi, Steve, I'm really surprised that this is the first reply to your post since last December. I have a Pazatone (British) low-boy phono from 1929 (date on the tag of the Collaro motor) that I have restored to living-room condition. The interior horn is sheetmetal (and sounds it!), but the player do...

Looking for a 180-lpi outside-in leadscrew for a Rek-O-Kut M5S (with spiraling gear and clutch) overhead mechanism. Can swap for a 240-lpi or can pay cash. Must come with matching halfnut, of course. 180-lpi is an oddball for this lathe; standard pitches were 120, 210 and 240.[/b]