Is this possibile to laser cut vinyl records?

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Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:00:20 AM11/14/16
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Hello!

I wanted to ask if it's safe/allowed to cut shapes out of vinyl records on the laser cutter.

Many thanks,
Michele

Nigel Worsley

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:07:57 AM11/14/16
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On 14 November 2016 at 11:00, Michele Panegrossi
<michele.p...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I wanted to ask if it's safe/allowed to cut shapes out of vinyl records on
> the laser cutter.

It isn't. Vinyl is short for Poly Vinyl Chloride, AKA PVC. Anything
containing Chlorine is banned in the laser cutter because the fumes
are extremely corrosive.

Nigle

Des Quilty

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:08:44 AM11/14/16
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Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:10:30 AM11/14/16
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I'll take that as a no then :)

Thanks a lot for letting me know so quickly guys!

Michele


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Charles Yarnold

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:14:04 AM11/14/16
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This, sadly.

Jon Russell

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:23:09 AM11/14/16
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You could always use the laser cutter to cut an Acrylic template, then use that to guide a router...

Jon.



On Monday, November 14, 2016 at 11:00:20 AM UTC, Michele Panegrossi wrote:

Toby Catlin

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:23:39 AM11/14/16
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or go freehand with a scroll saw

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Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:24:59 AM11/14/16
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Thanks Jon that sounds really cool! I need to get an induction on the router as I never used one but I'm planning to try and do that very soon!

M


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Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:25:48 AM11/14/16
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Would a CNC machine also do that (I mean without the acrylic guide)?

M


On 14 Nov 2016 11:23 am, "Jon Russell" <goo...@red-herring.co.uk> wrote:
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Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:27:38 AM11/14/16
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Thanks Toby, never used them but they look amazing! Is it basically a small band saw for more precise cuts?

M

Toby Catlin

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:40:14 AM11/14/16
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Yes, it works in a slightly different way to a bandsaw but has a fine blade for tight corners and curves. 

I would assume you can CNC mill PVC as you are cutting the material and not burning it, so do not release the nasty chlorides. The issue with a cnc is that you cannot cut internal right angled corners because the cutting bit is round. So you will always have a rounded corner. Depending on what you want to cut it might not be a problem.

t

Michele Panegrossi

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Nov 14, 2016, 6:44:29 AM11/14/16
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Thanks a lot Toby, really useful suggestions!

M

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