Here is an example of the cost to get into vinyl disc cutting

[EERecordist]

One place I worked we were restoring a lathe, but they had not gotten to the cutting chain before I moved on. Here is an example of a lathe and cutting chain for sale.

https://reverb.com/ca/item/91610214-neumann-vms-70-disc-mastering-lathe

There is one I know of in our town, Portland, OR, and we have a record pressing plant too, Cascade. Not sure if they do the plating and making the stampers, but they get those done.

With the revival of vinyl, someone has to do it.

 

[DVDdoug]

The town I grew-up in had a Columbia Records "factory". I think they only pressed & packaged records. As far as I know there was nothing "fun" going on there. It was one of the biggest employers in town. Every once in awhile, they'd have a day where they sold surplus or returned-stock records for a dollar or something. It may have only been open to employees and their invited friends. I went once but I don't remember if I found anything I wanted.

I'm pretty sure they closed that plant before CDs came-along.

 

[Dr Morbius]

Very nice equipment!