How much do I have to amplify a signal to cut?
I have 3 Astatic crystal heads and a couple full lathes. The lathes all either have amps that are destroyed (mechanically) or have safety issues.
Basically, I'm looking to cut free of the existing amplification built into these units and having a 1/4" jack feed directly into the cutting head. I've done that but I'm trying to find out how hot my signal has to be to cut something or feel the vibration on the cutting needle. Can you feel vibration at all? I've ran an oscillator through a guitar amp and ran the output to the cutting head. I can't really feel anything there. Just wondering what kind of wattage you guys are cutting with. Are these crystal heads picky about what you feed them? I can't imagine all 3 of my heads are bad.
thanks.
Basically, I'm looking to cut free of the existing amplification built into these units and having a 1/4" jack feed directly into the cutting head. I've done that but I'm trying to find out how hot my signal has to be to cut something or feel the vibration on the cutting needle. Can you feel vibration at all? I've ran an oscillator through a guitar amp and ran the output to the cutting head. I can't really feel anything there. Just wondering what kind of wattage you guys are cutting with. Are these crystal heads picky about what you feed them? I can't imagine all 3 of my heads are bad.
thanks.
- charlief64
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:26 pm
Crystal heads
It is almost a given that all three of your heads are bad. The Rochell salts that are in old crystal heads decompose with time. They can easily be rebuilt.
Charlie
Charlie
- charlief64
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:26 pm
Driving a crystal head
Crystal heads are pretty efficient. They only need a few watts (under 10) to drive them. The important thing is to match the impeadance. I've only used magnetic heads and don't know what that impeadance is. Gib will know, he know everything. Impeadance matching is pretty easy, you just need to find the right transformer.
Charlie
Charlie