Record Player

Today I will show you how to build a fully functional record player using some basic parts like a sewing needle, paper, and some 3d printed parts. It works by connecting a platter to a motor and setting the record on top, when they motor spins vibrations go up the needle and into the paper, and allows the paper to play sound.

1. 3d printer ( I used the Bambu Labs A1)
2. 78rpm motor
3. 12v 2a power adapter
4. DC motor speed controller
5. 1-2 pieces of paper
6. Sewing Needle
7. 4 pieces of any wood and one piece of plywood
8. pencil
9. Glue (wood and hot glue)
10. May need a knife to help with the tonearm
11. A drill and a chisel
12. A screw
13. 1-2ft of wire

Amazon links:

Motor: https://a.co/d/gtQGL7Q

12v 2a power adapter: https://a.co/d/aM4DmgJ

DC motor speed controller: https://a.co/d/2o14PEl

First, open the files below and start printing the required parts. Any settings are fine for these prints with no need to follow specified settings, but I recommend using less infill and less filament for the platter. This is because the motor might not be strong enough to spin if the platter is too heavy.

Also, if your printing plate is too small for the platter cut the platter in half and add 3 connectors down its side. When it is done printing, use glue and connect the two pieces together.

Next, assemble the parts like the pictures above and make sure the tonearm can move freely up and down and left to right otherwise it will get stuck, not play properly, and destroy the record. To do this don’t make the Y-axis arm too tight where it can hardly move and for the X-axis you may need to use a knife to increase the hole’s diameter, but use a trusted guardian if you're too young or don’t want to do it yourself.

Finally, assemble the electronics by unscrewing the screws on the PWM and sticking the wires in the corresponding areas. Then take the motor and tie the wires around the two small prongs that it has.

First, take two boards with a width of 3 ½ and cut them in half with the grain with a table saw to get 2 boards with a width of 1 ¾ inches and a length of 16in and 2 more with a length of 14 ½ inches. Now glue them together with wood glue and clamp them down so the shorter boards are parallel to each other forming a square and so the glue binds correctly. Then, take a piece of plywood and cut it down to 16 ½ by 16 ½ inches and then clamp it to the top of the 4 pieces of wood and let it sit for 24 hours.

Next, take a drill and drill a hole through the top big enough for the motor to fit snug. Then drill a hole in the platter big enough to hold the shaft of the motor and then using that same drill bit take a pencil cut it at about an ⅛ of the length and drill a hole in it so the shaft can snuggly fit on, then glue. Now drill a hole wherever you want your speed dial to be and drill a hole for it and mark which ways are faster and slower. Then take a drill and drill a hole where the power switch will be and use a chisel to make it a square and slide it in. Finally pick the spot you want the arm and use a screw to drill it in place.

Next, take a needle, a piece of paper, and a cloth and roll the paper into a cone with one end smaller than the other. Then take a needle and stick it in the smaller end at an outwards angle, and finally take a piece of cloth and stick it to the needle so the needle doesn’t move. Now stick it on the arm however you like. Finally turn on the record player, adjust the speed, and enjoy.