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So, now that I have the player working, I am interested in a bamboo needle cutter.

I found a handful of old bamboo needles in the drawer of the unit ... tried a few .. loved the sound (and I "think" they might be "easier" on the records).

So, I need a needle cutter.

I am looking a a bunch on ebay.

WOW ... $50 to $250 .. quite the range.

Some look like scissors ... some like nail clippers ... some like a guillotine ...

Which is best and why?

Also, has anyone had good luck making needles?

I see some for sale but was wondering if you can just "cut" (or sand or plane or ??) some out of say bamboo skews?

Thanks ....

Just FYI .... I did try a round bamboo tooth pick on one of the old records ... it seemed to work so why triangle?

I make my own bamboos. It's easier to cut them triangular from a bamboo cylinder. You cut the stick in cylinders of, say, 1 inch long, taking the cleaner and straight parts. Then it's easy to cut the triangles from the cylinder, put it standing upright on a hard surface, and carefully apply the blade of a cutter in the desired direction to cut triangles just like the ones you have, and press down; the blade will suddenly cut through the bamboo as it runs between the fibres. Then cut the other direction and you'll have the first needle. Just learn while you do it, to size them correctly, etc. it's very easy to learn. The needles cut from the outer surface are harder, but I also use the others that come from the inner parts, and they also play well. You'll find some simply don't play well, but others do. I take old bamboo sticks from the trash bins, they're a free eternal supply!!!
The best ones are cut with one face in the outer hard shiny bamboo skin, and you then cut the point so it is in that skin. The trick is to cut perfectly straight lines in the triangle, so you'll get good points. There are YouTube videos showing how to do it, but you'll learn when doing it.
Watch this old thread
viewtopic.php?p=322372#p322372

xtal_01 wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2024 2:24 pm Just FYI .... I did try a round bamboo tooth pick on one of the old records ... it seemed to work so why triangle?

It being triangular, utilizes the harder outer surface of the bamboo. That surface becomes the leading edge of the needle. Examine an old needle and you can see a shiny surface, that's the harder material.

James.

Thanks guys ...

And what about the point?

Which cutter is the best one to look for ... or do you just cut that with a knife also?

Thanks again!

I find good the L&H models that seem a small handy stapler. I have two of these. They pop up in eBay from time to time. I also use the HMV cutters. Just check this, for instance, but they can be found much cheaper, in the range 25-50 bucks...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256450616749
Also watch https://youtu.be/mQkrsmO8LRg?si=QIr5gXyPoWd5MPmA although I use smaller bamboo pieces. Be careful, as this guy uses wrongly the needle: the point must go downwards when playing!!! See the original Victor instruction sheet:

In case you miss it in the old thread linked above, this page is very informative: https://www.wardworks.org.uk/Gramophone/index.html

Personally I find EMG Davey cutters are the best for triangular bamboo fibres - here's an example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266076882948

I have been using my L&H cutter for years and I purchase needles here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/256427290435?m ... media=COPY

Well worth the expense when used on my very loud Victrola 8-12.

Orchorsol wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2024 4:49 pm In case you miss it in the old thread linked above, this page is very informative: https://www.wardworks.org.uk/Gramophone/index.html

Personally I find EMG Davey cutters are the best for triangular bamboo fibres - here's an example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266076882948

This! The EMG cutter is by far the best one I've ever used and I have over 50 different types!

OK .... found a cutter cheap!

L & H .... with a handful of needles ... $20 with $10 shipping (seller would only accept cash ... so a bit of a wait). Found it on Craigslist on the other side of the country.

Should be on it's way.

Two questions ...

1) what do you guys do for a supply of bamboo? I look at the article and they seem to have a large piece of bamboo (one person even used a napkin holder).

I did a quick search on ebay and amazon .... lots of little sticks but for a large chuck (and I think you want this so you get a large piece of the hard shell), you are talking $$$$$$

2) Do you guys worry about doping? Again, I read the article but he didn't seem to have a firm answer ... lots of experimenting but I don't even know if it is really needed ... or does it defeat the purpose of a "softer" bamboo needle?

Thanks so much .... Mike

That's a good buy for $30.

James.