Anyone have any experience with cutting Vinyl records? I am trying to make a mothers day present but I’m super unsure on feeds and speeds and I don’t want to melt it with my only 1/16th endmill.
You ever read a post title and think “oh no, this is going to be distracting” 
Are you trying to cut the grooves to embed audio or are you upcycling an old record as artwork? If it’s simply for artwork, I’ll try to find an old record I don’t mind cutting up and join in on the fun 
1 Like
Yeah artwork, I have 3 to practice with and I’m just making an inset jig and using 4 clamps.
My first instinct would be an O flute, fast and high rpm but then I think about how unbalanced that is and how a 3 or 5 flute should be more balanced but it needs to have enough chip evac which brings us back to O flute
I think the balance is probably negligible here, like you said trading the balance for better geometry seems like the right choice.
The other thing to keep in mind is probably upcut vs downcut considering how floppy records are. Might be better to go with a full coverage work holding solution like blue tape and super glue to eliminate vibration and unsupported spans.
Are you just using the tiny bit for contouring/slotting to cut out some interior or will you be turning all of the removed material into chips?
I think pocketing is the wrong move and just going for a contour with the double tape CA glue might be the way to go.
1 Like
There is a great video on this through Woodworkers Guild of America. Make a Clock from a Vinyl Record | WoodWorkers Guild of America. If you aren’t a member and would like to watch it, I do have a video on it and can email it to you. Basically, it’s a 1/16" O flute running at 18,000 speed with an 80 Inch per minute feed rate. He mentions a Kreg screw is the perfect size for the center hole so record can snap down. You also have several hold downs around record. If you are going to keep label on record, you need to line printing with the CNC left to right movement, so it looks right. You need to make very sure if using newer records that you are not melting or burning records as the gas they give off is poisonous. I use 78’s as they are thick and of safer material. I pick them up at my local Habitat Restore for about a dollar. You can then go on Etsy and download Scalable Vector Graphics of labels of famous records like the Beatles or Elvis that can be printed and glued over the existing record label.
1 Like
I love the advice! I am gonna use an m6 screw with a fender washer to distribute the load better because I’m not cutting the center 4" of the LP. Going to go get the blue tape and maybe some hold downs but i think this will all be enough with the fixture ill cut for it. I have enough records for several attempts.
Edit: Do you think air blast would be better to keep the temp down at the cutting edge and cool faster so as to release less gasses?
I expect air blast would keep the plastic glob that will inevitably build up nice and hard, as opposed to it being kinda melty still and smearing on everything it touches. I’m not sure I’d use it unless you’ve got a solid enclosure though, even if you manage to keep the heat down and prevent gasses the particulate seems like it would be very floaty…not great for breathing near.
If you’re getting good chips maybe this isn’t as much of a concern but from the videos I’ve seen, there is rarely good chip formation at these spindle speeds. Looking forward to hearing your experiences with this.
Unfortunately we don’t have any records I’m allowed to cut up so I can’t help test 
This is a great note to get some dirt cheap random ones next time we’re out. Awesome gift idea.
@Mike97520 thanks for sharing the advice on working with the labels, I hadn’t even considered how the cutting could impact them
A paid video from what I can tell but I’m assuming if I do the same with an 1/8" endmill I will have an even higher MRR and be able to effectively evacuate chips long before they become hot.
I can manage Particulate with the n100 respirator but I don’t think me or my machinery want Chlorine gas so I’ll freshly lube the rails and ballscrew and then O flute it up
1 Like
First attempt with a 1/8" O flute at Mike’s recommended feeds and speeds. Zero melting, good size chips. Tape was a nightmare but kept all of the cuts in place so as to not get caught in the sweepy and begin melting. (definitely didn’t stick my fingers in there to make sure.)
Edit: Going to try the next one pocketed and see if we release any fancy gas or if this is a tried and true method all around so I can reduce fixturing time and mess by skipping the tape.
5 Likes
That is (was) a great album! 
1 Like
You might be disheartened when you see the Motley Crue 1982 too fast for love album I do next…
My wife may shed a tear if she were to see that one, but I’m good with it being out of circulation LOL
pretty coool. I tried it with nothing securing it and I have minor regrets but for the amount of workholding that went into it and requiring no cleanup? Worth.
4 Likes
Tales was an amazing album. I don’t think I could cut it up. There might be tears. Even as I have nothing to play it on.
Cool idea for an art medium!
Done for the day. It’s a cheap medium for sure if you don’t use fancy records.
Also the one above was backwards and the text was inline with the bass strings
*I knew the ribbon would end up like this as I only had a 2 flute downcut endmill it was requested anyways
-minimal chlorine was enjoyed during the filming of this picture-
3 Likes