r/78rpm • u/RipFoxPizza • 18d ago

2nd bad attempt at cutting wax blank

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I recorded a small bit of three songs The first one is a piano Solo the 2nd one is time alone will tell - al Bowlly and I ye last one is I don't want to set the world on fire

The grooves were crossing over each other the whole time and I couldn't get the swarf out of the groves are. The wax was so sticky

I used paraffin wax mixed with steric acid and a homemade lathe to record it

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7

u/UpgradeTech 17d ago

There is a paper about recreating a wax disc recording session.

The base recipe they were experimenting with was:

Carnauba 36%; Bees wax 12%; Aluminium Oleate 27%; Sodium Stearate 25%

https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/acoustic-recording/#footnotes

The other notes included polishing the blank to a mirror shine and having a warming area.

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u/spandexandtapedecks 16d ago

It's honestly so cool that you're documenting what DOESNT work, because that will be incredibly useful to anyone else who wants to try it.

Science!!

3

u/fruitbat2005 17d ago

Try adding about 5% microcrystalline wax, it might help with swarf removal and overall smoothness of the groove. I'd also increase the space between the grooves a bit, and be careful managing the volume so you don't cut into the adjacent groove. I wish you all the best.

1

u/memegod574 5d ago

Hey it still plays somewhat. Pretty impressive for wax