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How to Make a Homemade Record Player

The record player, then called a phonograph, was first patented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville of France in 1857. Although his design could transfer sound into pictures, it was never able to play the sounds. Thomas Alva Edison created the first phonograph in 1877 after trying to design an instrument that could play back recorded speech. He had never intended to use the phonograph for music. Since the advent of cassette players and compact-disc player, record players are seldom used and rarely made. If you find yourself with a lot of old records and no player, here is an easy way to make a record player at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Battery Small, long-shaft motor Masking tape Needle or safety pin 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of white paper An old record
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a battery inside the small motor. Check to see if the motor works, then remove the battery to turn the motor off.

    • 2

      Wrap masking tape around the long shaft until it is the same size as the hole in the record. Test the shaft by placing the record on top and placing the battery inside the motor. If the record spins along with the motor, you have used enough tape. If the record slips, add more tape.

    • 3

      Roll the sheet of paper into a cone shape, with one end a sharp point and the other end a wide, hollow circle. Tape the cone together with masking tape.

    • 4

      Place a needle or safety pin into the hollow circle, and press the sharp end through the point. Secure the pin or needle in place, sticking out of the tip of the cone, with masking tape.

    • 5

      Place the record on the motor, and put the battery in the motor. As the record spins, slowly lower the paper cone with your hand, tip side down. As the sharp point touches the record, the record will play.

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Recording Music

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