F.A.Q.
What are your blanks are made from?
What blanks are made from and how that affects diamond wear is something that gets discussed throughout the lathe cutting scene. Below you will find all the information you need to understand what’s in our blanks and what that means for your cuts.
Firstly, our discs are all the same PETG, from the same brand. The only difference between colours is optical (how light is transmitted/absorbed). The mechanical structure and performance are the same. We will share the data sheets at the bottom of this post.
PETG is the base resin. To make different colours, the manufacturer adds a tiny amount of ‘masterbatch’ (a concentrated colourant formulated for PETG) during extrusion. That colourant is typically well under a few percent of the sheet and it does not alter the polymer’s backbone or its mechanical behaviour, as it is a pigment, not a filler. If the pigment made any structural changes to the material, such as affecting tensile strength, stiffness, impact resistance and processability (cutting, drilling, routing, finishing) it would no longer be classed as PETG and would make it a different plastic.
What actually changes with our colour PETG discs is that the colours will affect light absorption, so when using heat lamps, the absorption properties may vary. This simply means black discs will warm up quicker than transparent, for example. That’s it. The structure and strength do not change, this is specifications from the manufactures and the science behind how the plastic is made, not opinion based. If you like one of our discs, you will like them all and get the same results.
Here is the data sheet for the colour options in the bottom section. As you can see, all colours have the exact same specifications, no matter which you choose.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why do you use PETG?
Our journey with blanks actually started out of necessity due to dealing with so many issues such as warping and unusable discs which would slow down our workflow. At Pressure Mastering, our professional mastering studio, we were regularly cutting up to 800 discs a month for some of the world’s biggest sound systems. For that level of work, reliability and durability weren’t optional, they were essential.
After years of testing various plastics, the wealth of information already available on Lathe Trolls and that studios around the world were already cutting successfully on it, PETG was clearly the way to go. We then embarked on a mission to find the best brand, as we quickly found out not all PETG is the same quality, with differences in how flat the sheets are made being key. So with some help from our friends, who were also testing, we found what we believe to be the best. It also turns out to be the most expensive, so this does align!
We began making discs purely for our own use, and we cut on them for years before ever offering them to others. Spinner Town didn’t just appear out of nowhere, our blanks were already tried, tested, and trusted in an extremely busy working studio. That’s why we’re 100% confident in the materials we use today. We don’t plan on changing anything and our sales speak for themselves.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are your blanks recyclable?
Yes, they are 100% recyclable. New customers may not be aware but we offer free recycling of our discs to make things easy for you. PETG, and especially colour PETG needs specialised processing, so this means you have to take it to your local recycling centre, however we pay monthly to a company called ‘Fresh Start’ here in the North West who first assessed our materials, and then process accordingly. Check them out, they do good things! www.fswaste.co.uk
So, if you have any cuts that went wrong, feel free to send the discs back in bulk and we will do all the recycling for you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Storing blanks
When you receive blanks, you should always take them out of the plastic wrap, as depending what your climate is, trapped heat and moisture can at worst, cause warping. Make sure they are on a totally flat surface, try to keep a steady temperature, and avoid placing them in direct sunlight while storing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What lathe are your blanks compatible with?
Our blanks are compatible with all lathes, the main thing to be aware of is cutting vs embossing. PETG is best used for diamond cutting, whereas embossing you are best off with Polycarbonate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How many hours of styli life will I get from your blanks?
It is misleading to state an amount of hours, and from a technical standpoint, is impossible to suggest a number. Diamond stylus life isn’t measured in fixed hours, it depends on factors such as 33 vs 45rpm, how loud or bass heavy the music is, and whether the discs are flat, so while some styli last much longer than others, the key is that wear comes from conditions, not just time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution
We now have a global network of suppliers that we work with, sending our blanks that we make in house, to help make them readily available no matter where you are.
Australia & New Zealand: phonolabheavyindustries.com
USA: Coming Soon
Brazil: instagram.com/riscoplate
Japan & Asia: Coming Soon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipping
All shipping is sent tracked, you will always receive a tracking code via our store after purchase, keep an eye on it and if there are any issues, we are here to help. Blank discs ship in 3-5 working days, while styli usually 7-10 working days, but styli time can vary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your returns policy?
We comply with UK Consumer Contracts Regulations, which means you have 14 days from receiving your order to let us know if you’d like to return it for a refund. You then have another 14 days to send the items back. Refunds will be processed once we receive the goods in their original condition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do I need to keep the packaging?
For certain products, such as our blank discs, the protective cellophane must be removed once you receive them. This prevents warping and ensures the discs remain usable. If you decide to return your order, we kindly ask that you re-wrap the discs securely before sending them back to us. This helps protect the discs in transit and ensures they arrive back in a sellable condition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who pays for return postage?
Unless the item is faulty, you’ll be responsible for the return postage. We recommend using a tracked service to make sure the items reach us safely.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are there items I can’t return?
Customised or personalised products, perishable goods, and items that cannot be resold once unsealed (such as opened software or media) are excluded from returns unless faulty.