The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

Would love to get to one of these camps. Shame they're on the other side of the world. Anyone know about frequency conversion for a K8? Been recommended a Thor converter or motor speed regulator as possible solutions.

Old post i know, but tried this myself and found turtle wax produces optimum results on the Vanrock.
Leave it cloudy, cut, then buff off.
great results and a crisply clean disc.

Yeah i'll leave the PC to embossing, will rig up some sort of heating contraption like the one above and attempt cutting using PVC/PETG

Had this problem myself, found Vansix to be a massive help when it comes to all things Vanrock/Atom.
Amazing machines, love the self contained, basic automation of the Japanese lathes and get a great quality product using different syli.
What materials are you using for blanks?
cutting or embossing?

G'day Chris thanks for the reply and additional info. Had no idea there was a Melbs based manufacturer, certainly never come across any Aust made lathes until i came across this post. Took great comfort in knowing someone local knows these machines. do you have a site/workshop?? Have a K8 (needs fre...

My cutter head is a 5-C.
Seen a bit of info from seasoned cutters discouraging cutting into PC.
Are you using PC blanks or other?

... Regarding heating the blank: If you are pressing into PVC, you do not need a heater. PVC is so hard that it quickly wears out even the hardest graver. In addition, PVC only softens from about 80°C. You would therefore have to heat the blank to at least 80°C - and absolutely evenly (otherwise it...

This whole post is fascinating. I had no idea there was an Aussie who built their own lathes. Thanks lads for the info, I'm amazed you found it. Where is this bloke you mention? be amazing to take a look at that gear. I wouldn't know half of what i'm looking at but if he's in Aus and can fix a Prest...

These look fantastic Chris. Zenith are quite the Aussie institution!

Thanks mate for the reply! appreciate the tip on pressure. I'll be sure to watch that carefully. Have Polycarbonate discs (not PETG) and tried cutting on the K8 with gentle heat (desk lamp) & new stylus. Got an audible result but the surface noise was shocking. keen to cut PC as I have those blanks ...

Hi all, Trying to figure out the best way to heat the stylus on a Presto K8. Want to try diamond cutting into PC Some say you don't need to heat the stylus - just the blank In my (albeit limited) experience - the results of heating just the disc are horrible - I am using a heat lamp that puts out en...

Brilliant guide and a resource i keep returning to. Thanks Mike!

Hi all. Just purchased a Vanrock E101. Realising the dream of cutting my own records with a view to doing very small demo runs eventually. A lot of time and patience required, eager to learn and 'master' (i.e get semi-decent) at the craft. Been watching this forum for years with starry eyes. I'm in ...