Properly setting Diamond in Caruso cutterhead

[ilovedrums247]

Greetings,

Today after several years i finally installed my Caruso cutterhead on my lathe, I used myshanks tool to install under a microscope, and then set everything up on the lathe. I made a couple of cuts that were quiet but lacked some highs. I was on cloud nine. About 5 min into i noticed the diamond had fallen out and was dangling in front of the cutterhead. Jubilation had turned to devastation. Under an inexpensive, digital microscope the diamond still looks okay but i'm a little heartbroken.

So when setting the shank in the holder how do you apply pressure to ensure it doesn't fall out?

Thank you

[mushroomjesus]

When putting a new diamond in a cutting head, never push straight down. Use a gentle back-and-forth, side-to-side motion until the taper naturally stops.

After that, you need to break in the diamond before sending audio through the head. The way to do this is by cutting silent records — unmodulated grooves only — so the diamond collet can seat itself properly into the head.

In my experience, it usually takes around a few blank records before I trust it enough to send audio.

[ilovedrums247]

Thank you for that information @mushroomjesus. When setting do you use a tool or just your fingers?

[mushroomjesus]

No, always use a tool. The diamond is sharp and could easily cut open your finger.

[ilovedrums247]

Which tool is best?

Is the myshank one good for insert and removal?

Thanks for all the help

[dubcutter89]

Hey M.
Good to hear that you're back at it

I agree with all above said.
One thing I do sometimes - If I'm unsure if the stylus hole is dirty or so, I take a wooden toothpick, put it inside and gently turn it. This can help to clean it and get the stylus seated firmly afterwards.

Cheers
L

[ilovedrums247]

Do people set the stylus with only a tool like the myshank one? Or is there something better suited?

[Herty]

Which tool is best?

Is the myshank one good for insert and removal?

Thanks for all the help

I guess the myshank is the one i use here tho

[leemichael]

https://systemphonics.com/shop/disc-cutting-accessories/st-900-cutter-head-stylus-tool/