I'll probably get in trouble mentioning this, but I would love to get one of those Seal brand presses used to mount photographs to mat board. These had adjustment for pressure and temperature.
I'll bet since everything in photography has gone digital you could get one for a song. Then it would be just a matter of getting crappy warped LP's from garage sales and experimenting with the temp dial and pressure adjustment.
You can see I have had this on my mind for some time. I cannot afford 2K for the occasional warped LP either. |
Just looked around the web and found this. Perfect Seal brand press for $400.00.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/tls/75533013.html
Probably find one for $150.00 at Ebay. THAT I could afford and justify. Anyone know if the stated temperature range would work on an LP ? ( 150-350 degrees). |
I bet a few of your audiobuds will help you fund this venture. Count me in for a share... |
The temperetaure you want to shoot for is 150 degrees.
I have done the oven trick with two thick pices of glass. There is some good info on Audio Asylum. |
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Sirspeedy,
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I would be willing to join in for either the photographic press or the 2,000.00 record version if you find enough club members.
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Rgds,
Larry |
I'd be willing to ante up if we could get enough folks interested to get the cost per down to a reasonable level. I also have a couple of good 'tater chip LP's to experiment on.
Assuming this works and we do get one, how to we handle this? I mean, should we all just send our warpies to some poor soul who gets stuck being the keeper of the press?
Dan |
I can't see this working unless everyone is in a local area!! |
Sirspeedy. I agree and why I suggested the Seal press idea.
Assuming 10 or more people pooled their funds for that 2K record press, each would have invested an amount EQUAL to what they could own a Seal press for.
Owning would be easier than borrowing, my only concern is if the Seal press would do the job. I may buy one and test. |
G_m_c, I have heard of the same trick, as well! The record is placed between two sheets of glass in the oven, for an hour or two. I would put some weights on each of the four corners. REMEMBER THAT CUT GLASS WILL HAVE SHARP EDGES, SO HANDLE THE SHEETS WITH SOME TYPE OF GLOVES!!!
Certainly, a cheaper alternative to the two machines mentioned in this post. |
Albert,based on the pics of your room/home and system tastes I'd have to volunteer you to "go For It",and report back.Me?Well I just finished paying off Rutgers U. with their last payments,for my 2 kids.Whew!!I,also just "Blew" a load on some ultra pricey CCa's for my phonostage,and would like to take a summer vacation.I would totally trust your report,but,make sure you follow up the tubed crossover,as promised,ASAP!!Best of luck!! |
Here's one big enough for an LP and so far, going for less than a hundred bucks. Seal Press |
I've used the glass plate method with only moderate success. On some LPs the bead would heat up and deform enough to allow the glass to contact the grooves before the record would flatten out. This would leave a flat spot in the grooves and ruin the record. I always wondered what would happen if pressure were applied first, but was afraid to try clamping the glass for fear of breaking it. It seems to me the Seal press would be great, as long as you're patient enough to get both the pressure and the temp correct.
As an aside, I had my best results at 200 degrees, and any glass cutter can sand the edges of the glass plates so you don't cut yourself. |
Using the glass plate method (I used 2 pieces of 1/2 Laminated glass) it would often take an hour or two at the low heat. I never placed weights on the top plate for fear of crinkling the lp. I feel it is better to let the lp heat up very slowly and cool down over night before removing the weight. One note of caution for any process, some vinyl is of poor composition and might self destruct. I offered to straighten a warped early, off lable, Lou Reed and John Cale live Drella lp. It completely melted out in areas, blurring the grooves. It was clearly substandard vinyl. The fellow was very understanding. This might bring up issues of liability.... |
So,again I pose the question of why not a vendor doing it "RIGHT",with a supposedly "proven" product,like the Symphonic Line(I think it's them)disc flattener.Two THOU is bucks!!
I don't want to experiment!!I would like to be confident that the process would work!!I,also have some pricey discs,not cheap either,that I know will be very hard to replace.Can't see myself shipping LP's to CELLO,and asking him to spend the 4 hr cycle time on each,
where he'd also be adding heat to his already "HOT" Florida "digs".Is it cooler where you live Albert?
I have a vacuum table,that takes just about everything thrown at it,but there are the occassional discs that can't be handled.
Truthfully,though,it is an expensive proposition for a unit,and a smart businessman with some spare time could turn a buck or two!! |
Sorry Sirspeedy, no relief from the heat here. I'm in Texas and right now, although we are nearing the midnight hour, it's still 83 degrees.
By the way, the LP flattener is a product of the Air Tight people, the guys that built my cool ATM-3 mono blocks. |
There's also another product from Clearaudio -- probably selling at Clearaudio prices. |
Albert,
Just put the warped lp on the window sill under a phone book and pop a beer.
That is the Dallas way. |
G_m_c, that might work. I remember as a child leaving a record in the back of my fathers car for an afternoon. It looked like wavy potato chip when I retrieved it. |
