It’s true, I am a child of the 70s. I do remember other kids who had the Fisher-Price record player, but the records were limited to songs like Camptown Races (which I just learned is one of many Minstrel songs by Stephen Foster – the things they don’t tell the youths) and Twinkle Twinkle. I played with the real deal.

My parents had their vinyl collection from the 60s and 70s. I would sit in front of the record player listening to Peter, Paul and Mary sing about a Magic Dragon and The Beatles sing about some woman named Lucy. That song didn’t make any sense at the time. I also had my own portable record player and a small collection of kids albums. The read along albums of Bambi and the Fox and the Hound would reduce me to tears every time I listened to them. I also learned the hard way not to leave vinyl records in the sun.

Well, if you have a Fisher-Price player in your attic, it’s time to pull it out because Fred27 over at Instructables has directions for making new records.

He began by milling the albums but based on feedback, there weren’t many people creating their own records. Okay, there was one guy. Milling machines aren’t an average power tool in most homes. Fred rethought the project and worked with others to create a 3D printing project (3D printing gets more exciting everyday).

The updated instructions let you download 3-D printer files for three songs: “You Are My Sunshine,” the Star Wars theme, and “Stairway to Heaven.” Fred also provides the software so people can embed their own songs, if you know what you’re doing. As Fred points out:

 It’s not exactly sophisticated musical software but the player is not exactly hifi equipment.

This would be a huge hit at parties. I wonder if people would think the records were original to the player… Learn more on Instructables.

- via Co.Design