I would like to repurpose some worn-out vinyl records by cutting them into letters. Can this be done on the lasercutter? Or is there a better way @lasertechs ?
Ah that’s a big no-no on the laser as vinyl contains chloride, cutting that on the laser is both poisonous and destroys the machine.
We do have a vinyl cutter at the space, but i don’t know if that can cut something as thick as a record, or how well it works with round shapes - maybe it would work if embedded in some sort of square template?
T’internet reckons you can heat them in the oven and cut with tinsnips, or use a hot knife (which I reckon will also give off chlorine so would not be very healthy or safe). I will give the oven method a go though!
Thanks Rob, I remember seeing previous discussions about vinyl now.
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Yes they become very malleable when heated
I wonder if you can attach a metal blade to a soldering iron iron and then use it like a hotknife.
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I think I’d print the letters onto paper and stick them on the records, then just bandsaw them.
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A fine piercing saw might work to avoid breakage. I can bring one in.
Hiya!
This might be a good test of the Mini CNC! Ping me if you want to give it a go - and your letters are smaller than the working dimensions listed on the tool page…
https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/cnc-machine-isel-cpm-2018/15929
Cheers,
Andy
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Nice…but I’d say that record is virtually unplayable now…
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But now they know what time it is!! 
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Well, you know that they say, even a broken record is right twice a day
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Cutting letters in vinyl. Sounds like a perfect use of the electric fretsaw/ jigsaw. Simple and very accurate. K.I.S.S.
i left DONATED a set of p[plastic letters at the space stencils use them if you can find them
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