Tips for un-warping records

Posted by: Top Cat on 22 April 2004

Hi folks. I have a mint '97 Pink Floyd vinyl collection box which I like very much. Or, I had a mint collection and now it is mint except for the DSOTM which I managed to warp by leaving it on the LP12 on a sunny day.

It's somewhat warped - playable, but only just. Any ideas how to fix it? I've bought the anniversary pressing anyway, so it doesn't really matter if I can't sort the '97 pressing out, but I'd like to at least give it a good shot.

Last night I tried warming the vinyl in front of the fire, then flattening between books. Worked only briefly, before the vinyl regained it's memorised warp. Any other ideas?

John

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by Top Cat

Tom, I don't trust my oven - it is having of very modernness and of nature is binary off on without the warmish middle ground*

(translation: it's bu66ered).

So, shall I bring it up when I visit and you can show me how to unwarp it?

John

* as the manual would say (probably).

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by TomK

I've always kept my albums quite tightly squeezed together (particularly now as they have to be crammed into an ever decreasing space to make room for the CDs) and have found this a very effective way of keeping them flat. There's not a warp to be seen. You may find that if you just leave it tightly packed in along with the rest of your albums it will naturally flatten out again. All depends on how badly warped it actually is, and how quickly you need a result.

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by Haroon

there was a thread a little while back where I had similar problems. The only method that i have come across that several people say works for them is to use two pieces of, heavyish glass. put the record between the two and either put it in the oven, or leave it outside on a hot day. The crucial part is to leave it between the two pieces of glass as it cools down to normal tempreture, otherwise it will pop back. Given I have a dodgy oven too Im waiting to five it ago this summer.

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by Two-Sheds

Well I've got a pretty warped record. It played ok on my old rega p3, but it won't play no my lp12. I got the record second hand and the vertical curvature is so bad it throws the cartridge clear of the record (for an etok lv ii arm). since the record was so cheap I may give it a go in the oven at the weekend then. 30 min at 200 then

I'll try with a cold oven (?) and turn it on at 50 deg C and watch it. take it out when it flattens or starts to drip...

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by MichaelC

Pre-heated oven?

Posted on: 22 April 2004 by J.N.

In the airing cupboard between two sheets of glass with some weight on top.

Posted on: 23 April 2004 by Rockingdoc

Tom and JN;

Have these methods actually given you a playable record from previously unplayable?
I have tried many methods over the years, but none really worked.

Posted on: 23 April 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Bloody microwave oven. Only does Zappa...

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Posted on: 23 April 2004 by P

I agree with JN.

If the glass is heavy enough.

It works

P

Posted on: 30 April 2004 by Bhoyo

If you have a spare $1700, you could try one of these:

Disc Flattener

Posted on: 04 May 2004 by AL4N

quote:
Originally posted by Two-Sheds:
Well I've got a pretty warped record. It played ok on my old rega p3, but it won't play no my lp12. I got the record second hand and the vertical curvature is so bad it throws the cartridge clear of the record (for an etok lv ii arm). since the record was so cheap I may give it a go in the oven at the weekend then. 30 min at 200 then

I'll try with a cold oven (?) and turn it on at 50 deg C and watch it. take it out when it flattens or starts to drip...

turn it over half way through,when ready add a little salt,some butter and serve with peanut butter and custard,you won't believe the taste.

Posted on: 04 May 2004 by Two-Sheds

Well i didn't have much time, but tried it the other night. I didn't leave it for long, but it showed no signs of flattening out on it's own.

When I took it out it was definitely softer than normal, but I don't have 2 large flat pieces of anything to hold it flat. I may try again and when I take it out is put it back in it's sleeve and leave it on a table under a pile of other records.

Or then again maybe it was the lack of peanut butter, since I don't have any maybe marzipan will do.