This sounds like a good first-draft of a FAQ section
Q1. You are making new lateral-cut 78s (amongst other types) but from what material ?
The 78's I produce are made of a proprietary polyurethane resin, made to simulate the properties of shellac discs.
Q2. What is the process of manufacture ? "Moulding" is mentioned as opposed to "pressing" ?
Discs are copied using silicone molds. The mold is filled with a measured amount of polyurethane resin (weighed out on a scale) and pressure cast in a heated chamber.
Q3. Can these be played in exactly the same way as traditional 78s ie with thorn, bamboo and steel in addition to diamond etc ?
Yes, up to 85*F, at which point they begin to wear as rapidly as a Victor bat-wing at 90*F. I have no data on thorn needles, steel and bamboo work fine, as well as modern turntables.
Q4. Will your discs last as long as traditional 78s in your estimation ?
Shelf life is indefinite. Wear under a steel needle is approximately comparable to a shellac 78. Discs are tested with 150 grams of force on a soft tone needle, which is the heaviest of common weights placed on discs. A revised formula is good to over 200 grams (for front mount machines).
Q5. Do they sound the same as traditional 78s ?
The copies sound identical to the originals.
Q6. Are they as strong/brittle as traditional 78s or more "plastic" ?
For manufacturing reasons, they're much thicker than a typical 78, making them much stronger. The resin is also less brittle than shellac but they're not flexible. They're generally safe to ship in an envelope but can break if abused.
Q7. How would you describe the extent of surface noise---as quiet as say traditional Australian or French pressings ?
That's complicated. The material is as quiet as a good Victor scroll label but a copy made from a disc with high surface noise (like a Berliner, for example) will carry that over to the copy.
Q8. Are you making 10 inch and 12 inch records ?
For cost reasons, I prefer to make disc 10" and smaller. I can (and do) sometimes make 12" but those are much more complicated and therefore expensive.
Q9. Can you supply double-sided records ?
For cost reasons, all 78's are single sided.
Q10. What is the cost of a disc ?
78's are $20 for 7" or 8" and $25 for 10"
Q11. Can multiple copies be bought at cheaper unit cost ?
Prices are already very low, so while I wouldn't rule it out, it's not likely.
Q12. What is the time frame between receiving an original disc or digital information and sending a new copy ?
Original discs are returned as quickly as possible, typically within one week. Copies then ship a week or two later.
A time frame for cutting a new disc from a digital file has not yet been determined.
Q13. What do you mean by chemical copying ?
Silicone mold making.
