2. analog
  3. 1200184062

DIY Record Cleaner Project - Need ideas

Since I'm taking a "vacation" for a few months I thought I'd try to build a record cleaner. I've been looking at the popular VPI models and a few of the others, and I'd like to go in a different direction. I'd like to do a machine that holds the record vertical and actually submerges the record in the solution - not including the label of course. It seems like it would be easy enough to use two padded washers on a long bolt to hold the record and act as a spindle without damaging the label. With commercially available fluids that should work well and clean both sides of the record at once, and with a dual bath using distilled water, rinse them as well.

In this kind of a set up, what kind of brush would be appropriate to 'scrub' the records? I obviously don't want to scratch them.

Also, short of hauling a shop-vac into the kitchen (really bad WAF) how would I go about drying them?

Thanks!
grimace

Showing 1 response by yioryos

yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
Bdgregory,I am afraid your suggestion of using suction cups to hold the LP on the vertical will not work.Here is why,how can you form suction on a paper surface (label) that is porous by nature? Suction cups work on glass only when clean,on dirty glass the suction lasts briefly and suction works to some degree on some other truly flat,smooth surfaces like polished granite,aluminum panels.Although be prepared to jumb if they let go!I am a glazier by trade and being using commercial suction cups all my life,from small handheld Veribor to Wood's and big commercial battery operated power cups that handle 2000lbs with the use of a crane.Union of Glaziers and Allied trades Local 1819.Journeyman Glazier and metal mechanic since 1989.Being on many jobs ,small and big,one of the bigger and more challenging of late was the Royal Ontario Museum.Mixed crew of 110 Glaziers and Ironworkers on 10 shifts for one year to complete the job.The structural steel took 3 years tobe erected prior to that.We took a chance and air lifted panels that were made in Germany and weighted anywhere from 120-300lbs and some more because they absorbed water,on suction cups.We used two cups per panel (500lbs holding capacity per cup)one wasdoing lifting and the other was a back up.We lost a few!We had to feel by hand the polished aluminum surface for scratches before we put the cups on the "clean" spots.As always we did that to speed up and meet the deadline.Obviously the best way to lift them was with slings but took longer!And all that in one of the busiest downtown Toronto intersection of Bloor and University.!!
Regards
George
More to discover