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My tinfoil machine made from Charles Smith arrived today! Does anyone have any tips or tricks for me when it comes to recording? The adjusting stylus is very finicky and I cant get it right with out it tearing the foil or it being too shallow.

I think you have a copy of my book, which has a chapter with tips and important points to consider for recording.

I've never tinkered with one of his Scientific American machines so I'm not sure how the stylus is set up, and consequently have no suggestions on adjusting it. I suggest you contact him for some guidance on that. It definitely should be possible to adjust to a very fine degree.

The two most important details are having the stylus perfectly centered in the groove, and the depth at the optimal position so that it's deep enough to make a good impression without being so deep as to tear the foil. There is a lot of trial and error involved in finding the sweet spot.

I hope you can find the right foil for it. That is quite an interesting machine.
Don

Although I've used heavy-duty aluminum foil (tricky) and real tin foil supplied long ago by Rene (which I hoard like a miser), I've read that the metallic tape used for hot water heater exhaust vents (not ordinary duct tape) works quite well. I haven't tried it (except on an exhaust vent), but it feels much like Rene's tin foil. Worth a shot.

George P.

EdiBrunsVic wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 8:08 pm I hope you can find the right foil for it. That is quite an interesting machine.
Don

Thank you Don

phonogfp wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 8:34 pm Although I've used heavy-duty aluminum foil (tricky) and real tin foil supplied long ago by Rene (which I hoard like a miser), I've read that the metallic tape used for hot water heater exhaust vents (not ordinary duct tape) works quite well. I haven't tried it (except on an exhaust vent), but it feels much like Rene's tin foil. Worth a shot.

George P.

I have some aluminum tape and I actually got some speech that came through! Thanks for the suggestion George

Glad to learn you had some initial success. As Rene wrote, it takes some finicky adjustment, but once you find the sweet spot, you'll know it. Just don't expect it to still be there next morning!

George P.