Record players, though still produced, are difficult to find and often expensive. Though a homemade record player is no substitute for the “real thing,” making your own player is an impressive way to share the days of analog with schoolchildren. Students can also demonstrate how analog records work for a science project.
- Construction paper
- Super Glue
- Needle
- Pencil
- 33 1/3 RPM record
Older records work best with this project because they have wider grooves and are more durable.
Sewing needles may damage your record. It is best to try this experiment on a record you don’t care is ruined.
Roll a piece of construction paper into a cone. This cone will act as the speaker for your record player.
Glue a needle, point side out, inside the point of your cone so that only ¼ centimeter sticks out.
Hold a pencil vertically. Put it through the hole of the record.
Touch the point of your needle to the edge of your record. Hold the needle so that the angle between the surface of the record and the needle is 45 degrees.
Spin the record continuously while holding the needle in place. It may be easier to have a helper either spin the record or hold the needle.
Things You'll Need
Tips
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References
About the Author
Christina Sloane has been writing since 1992. Her work has appeared in several national literary magazines.
Photo Credits
record player image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com