Diamond Disc Reproduction

[donniej]

Have you done any experimentation with Edison LP discs? Or are the grooves too small for this process?

I've not yet tried but I don't think it will be any different. The molds I make capture detail that's microscopic, like readable detail off the label. I think the issue with the Edison LP's is that so few people can play them that I'd never sell enough copies to cover the cost of materials (a gallon of silicone is not cheap). This is just my uninformed gut feeling, what do you think?

[HisMastersVoice]

Have you done any experimentation with Edison LP discs? Or are the grooves too small for this process?

I've not yet tried but I don't think it will be any different. The molds I make capture detail that's microscopic, like readable detail off the label. I think the issue with the Edison LP's is that so few people can play them that I'd never sell enough copies to cover the cost of materials (a gallon of silicone is not cheap). This is just my uninformed gut feeling, what do you think?

You could be right, though my understanding was that there are lots of machines out there that were equipped with LP gearing, but the records are so expensive and difficult to find that most people only own 1, 2, or none. Based on my experiences at the Stanton auctions when an LP disc comes up for bidding, I think there are enough people out there that would buy some of the more popular LP discs to cover your costs and then some. Not to mention, the people who already own a particular disc would likely buy a copy simply to avoid playing the very costly original.

[VintageTechnologies]

The creation of such fine copies in resin really surprises me. I had always imagined that metal matrices and presses would be necessary to stamp such subtle sound vibrations into a plastic substance without loss of detail. This process opens lots of possibilities.

The one pressing [pun] question that I have is the matter of durability. How many times can those 78s and DDs be played, compared to the originals, before wearing out? Have you done any torture tests to find out? I hope the buyers of your records will report back. Even now, I think this material would be very suitable for pressing vertical Pathé copies.

If someone could build a disk cutting lathe to cut DD and Pathé masters in wax, the creation of custom disk records would finally be very feasible for the first time. People like Shawn and Chuck are already making wax which ought to be suitable for the disk masters.

[donniej]

The creation of such fine copies in resin really surprises me. I had always imagined that metal matrices and presses would be necessary to stamp such subtle sound vibrations into a plastic substance without loss of detail. This process opens lots of possibilities.

Thank you for the kind words.
This was no small undertaking, and I already have significant experience in chemistry and fabrication with such materials. You are 100% correct that capturing the fine detail has not been easy, nor has developing custom resins for these applications. It has taken a significant investment on my part to get this far.
Having said that, I feel I've shown beyond reasonable doubt that it's possible and I'm truly excited to have figured out how to duplicate both 78's and Diamond Discs. I sincerely and passionately hope this leads to my being able to borrow rare discs and to make available a "library" of affordable duplicates.
Pathé are niche enough that I'd not yet consodered them but I love mine and perhaps will someday mold some of the early center-starts in my collection.

As for durability, I've done my due diligence but only time can truely tell how a product will hold up in the real world.

[VintageTechnologies]

I should have mentioned before that I am equally impressed that you cast a double-sided record. It seems that pouring resin into a silicone mold might be relatively easy, but pouring a double-sided record with parallel sides and uniform thickness seems like a whole 'nuther challenge! That transparent record was striking. I thought if you could color the plastic to produce a transparent sky blue record, that would be even more so. No one could confuse that with an original.

[marcapra]

As for durability, I've done my due diligence but only time can truely tell how a product will hold up in the real world.

That's true, but you could give some kind of test results, such as play the copy 50 times, or 25 times if necessary, with an Edisonic reproducer, and say if there is noticeable wear after that many plays. If you can play the repro 25 times with an Edisonic reproducer with no noticeable wear, I think you have something.

[billybob62]

Please keep us informed when you have some to sell, perhaps taking orders as you go rather than making them available to a few only. I think this could advance the hobby especially to beginners.. Thanks. I like the idea of using a color, perhaps coding them as to category.

[edisonphonoworks]

That is a great accomplishment! Congratulations! The best models for orders for such a project, as I have learned over the yeas with cylinders and blanks. Find out suggestions of what would be desirable titles. Make those titles as you can. And offer them on ebay or sell them on the Yankee Trader. If you accept orders you will then have a bunch at once and then nothing. And so if you have a day job as I do, you will never get things done in the time people want. If you make them at your pace with the suggested titles, You will then wind up making more in number that way, and it then can be enjoyable, instead of stressful as this hobby is supposed to be fun not the other way. I no longer take orders for cylinders. I offer them at Union as the chance to buy them, and then sometimes on facebook, and my website. And it is much better that way, than accepting orders.

[billybob62]

Just do it!!

[phonogfp]

That's great - and I really like the transparent record! Great sound, great look, great tunes...

George P.