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Cork Mat - Platter Mat DIY?

reydelaplaya

reydelaplaya

Super Member
Hey folks, I was at HD today and saw something I thought might be kinda cool so I figured I'd share it here.

Smooth, round, 12" cork mats in the garden/pottery section.

Top:
37261AB8-1A39-4D85-AA8E-6566612A4D52_zps8dmewdwd.jpg


Edge on:
EAC4D2AE-41A0-4479-B4E4-4B214D40B4F1_zpsmcrk5wgp.jpg


Label:
1A16F903-95A3-41BD-85A1-7F40F58A37F6_zpsoj0ymrhd.jpg


Don't know how good it would be for a cork platter mat, but I figured I'd just pass along a heads up for any of you DIY types.

Looked to be about 1/4", maybe 3/8"?

That's a flexible plastic backing which looks to be permanently adhered to the cork.

Only thing that would be needed would be to drill a spindle hole dead center.

So there it is. YMMV

Disclaimer: I don't work for or have anything to do with the cork mat company or HD - just an HD customer.
 
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That looks like it would work....

Place it under the thick rubber mat and it should reduce the amount of vibration that the cartridge picks up through the vinyl.
 
reydelaplaya said:
Hey folks, I was at HD today and saw something I thought might be kinda cool so I figured I'd share it here.

Smooth, round, 12" cork mats in the garden/pottery section.

Top:
37261AB8-1A39-4D85-AA8E-6566612A4D52_zps8dmewdwd.jpg


Edge on:
EAC4D2AE-41A0-4479-B4E4-4B214D40B4F1_zpsmcrk5wgp.jpg


Label:
1A16F903-95A3-41BD-85A1-7F40F58A37F6_zpsoj0ymrhd.jpg


Don't know how good it would be for a cork platter mat, but I figured I'd just pass along a heads up for any of you DIY types.

Looked to be about 1/4", maybe 3/8"?

That's a flexible plastic backing which looks to be permanently adhered to the cork.

Only thing that would be needed would be to drill a spindle hole dead center.

So there it is. YMMV

Disclaimer: I don't work for or have anything to do with the cork mat company or HD - just an HD customer.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
Heck...

You can go to an auto parts store and get good quality cork, any thickness and on the cheap. Who can't take one of the dishes out the cuburd and trace out a circle. I'm surprised I bought one......
 
I made one out of 1/8" cork material. It came in a roll so I had to put it under some books for a few days to flatten it. I used it on a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon for a couple of years until I recently got an acrylic platter. I thought it worked great, much better than the cheesy felt mat it comes with.
 
If I could find a source for a cork gasket that has a high percentage mixture of rubber I would give it a try. There are a few place that sell a mat like that, but they are around $59 each.

So how are you guys cutting the label relief area?

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Mister Pig said:
If I could find a source for a cork gasket that has a high percentage mixture of rubber I would give it a try. There are a few place that sell a mat like that, but they are around $59 each.

So how are you guys cutting the label relief area?

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...

The Fel-Pro gasket I mentioned earlier has a good rubber content. The roll I purchased was 12'' x 36'' x 1/8, and cost around 30 buck.Available at any auto parts store. I used a fabric cutting wheel (looks like a pizza cutter,but a hell of a lot sharper) to cut it to size. Nice result,easy work,and watch your fingers.

The easiest way to get some label relief (for me, at least) was by pressing it in. I did that at work by using a large diameter bottom die and a hydraulic hand press.
 
arts said:
The Fel-Pro gasket I mentioned earlier has a good rubber content. The roll I purchased was 12'' x 36'' x 1/8, and cost around 30 buck.Available at any auto parts store. I used a fabric cutting wheel (looks like a pizza cutter,but a hell of a lot sharper) to cut it to size. Nice result,easy work,and watch your fingers.

The easiest way to get some label relief (for me, at least) was by pressing it in. I did that at work by using a large diameter bottom die and a hydraulic hand press.
Click to expand...

Well if a person is only making one, then it doesn't make much sense. Gem Dandy sells tier mat for $59, and I wouldn't have to buy the fabric cutting wheel, or the tools to create a label relief. Not much cost savings it seems.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
The plastic might/will taco on you, and end up curled up; at least mine did.
I found another cork "platter mat" that was attached to a piece of masonite. It has remained stable for years now.

Label relief?
Spot mat it.
 
Mister Pig said:
Well if a person is only making one, then it doesn't make much sense. Gem Dandy sells tier mat for $59, and I wouldn't have to buy the fabric cutting wheel, or the tools to create a label relief. Not much cost savings it seems.

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...

Actually,there are good cost savings to be had. The cutters are available at any craft store for less than $15. Producing the label indent is only limited by your own creativity,which,last time I checked,was free.So,for $45 all in,I now have three platter mats for less than the cost of your option,which is one mat for $59 plus shipping/taxes. Mind you,I have more than 1 table,so none went to waste.
 
Tried them once and I don't like them. They have many issues. The plastic base can warp, it's hard to find a flat one to begin with. Unless you have VTA adjustment you are stuck with one thickness. Worst of all the sound is dull. Whatever that plastic is, it's sounds bad.

Best bet is to go to an arts and craft store and buy cork sheets or rolls and make your own. You can buy it in various thicknesses too.
 
Yeah, it may or may not be the best item to work with. But I just saw it yesterday while I was in HD, and instantly thought of all of you.

As far as cutting it down a little for the label area, I was thinking maybe once the spindle hole's been cut, an old direct drive with some torque to it.

You'll just need a magic eraser, wood glue, some scrubbing bubbles, and some tap wate... oh wait, wrong thread. ;)

Set it on the table at 45, then one of those sanding sponges held steady in the label area for a little while. No real pressure applied, like they say, let the tool do the work. (Think flat lathe.)

It's cork. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes to create a circular divot. And since it is circular, it should automatically want to be perfectly even.

Not sure it's even worth the trouble. But like I said, it caught my eye.
 
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