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How to Safely Flatten a Warped Record...

ScaleAutoArt

ScaleAutoArt

Super Member
I was looking into the special rig that has been introduced recently and think it's a bit over the top...and RISKY. Reading the horror stories from a few was enough to to turn away and take the safe route. What I am doing is similar to another method one had suggested using two pieces of glass and another using tile.

My method works great and will not harm the vinyl. And so far the first attempt worked perfectly resulting in a glass flat record. These are new pressings so your results may require some adjustments of possibly doing it two times. I do not advise adding any more heat then I am using and do not put it in the oven.

I uses two 18 x 18 inch ceramic tiles with a smooth glazed side. Pre heat your oven to 160 degrees. Place both tiles in face up one on each rack. Place a meat thermometer on the tile on the bottom rack. Keep them in the oven until the thermometer reads 160 degrees. Remove the bottom tile first and place face up on a heat resistant surface. Now place the record down and put the second tile face down on top. The weight of the tile will be plenty. Let stand until completely cool. Carefully remove top tile and...

Flat record!
 
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Picked up a VinylFlat unit before the holidays. Have used it on 3 occasions since purchase. I no longer have any warped LP's... that I am aware of. I was leery because of the cost and the risk it may put the vinyl under. I can say with confidence that the vinyl was in no way negatively impacted. Even took out a stubborn warp on the edge of an LP that I thought would never be remedied. I thought it might be cheaper in long run to just buy replacement LP's but I am now glad I made the purchase. No affiliation with VinylFlat. Just a satisfied customer.
 
Falstaff said:
How do they play afterward? Any groove distortion?
Click to expand...

They play perfectly. I can't see paying $100 or more for something that is done just as well with the tiles. And doing it outside the oven eliminates risk of overheating or as I have read leaving it in too long.
 
I use two extra platters I have. I put the album into a paper sleeve in between the platters, set my oven to 140, and set the timer for 4 hours.
I do this just before bedtime. I get up in the morning, everything has cooled slowly, my albums are pretty flat when done.
 
Stereo Review had made a very similar suggestion many years ago.

Done correctly, it should not result in any adverse affects.
 
marcmorin said:
I use two extra platters I have. I put the album into a paper sleeve in between the platters, set my oven to 140, and set the timer for 4 hours.
I do this just before bedtime. I get up in the morning, everything has cooled slowly, my albums are pretty flat when done.
Click to expand...

The slow cool down is key IMO.
 
Just to be clear. I do not put anything in the oven. Use a "Groovy Pouch" from the same company. Heat is better maintained. 120-150 degrees. Cool down is critical. I cool it for the same time I have it in the pouch. 4 hours in and 4 for cooling is my starting point.
 
MRL_Audio said:
Just to be clear. I do not put anything in the oven. Use a "Groovy Pouch" from the same company. Heat is better maintained. 120-150 degrees. Cool down is critical. I cool it for the same time I have it in the pouch. 4 hours in and 4 for cooling is my starting point.
Click to expand...

The tile method I am using takes about an hour start to finish which is good if you have more then one to fix.
 
Years ago Audio Magazine had an article that recommended putting the record between 2 sheets of glass in the oven on low heat (don't remember the temp) with a couple of bricks on top.
My recommendation is if the pressing is new, send it back! Otherwise proceed to flatten. Or you could get a Luxman PD375 like mine, with a vacuum platter. Warps? We don't got no stinking warps!
 
ScaleAutoArt said:
I was looking into the special rig that has been introduced recently and think it's a bit over the top...and RISKY. Reading the horror stories from a few was enough to to turn away and take the safe route. What I am doing is similar to another method one had suggested using two pieces of glass and another using tile.

My method works great and will not harm the vinyl. And so far the first attempt worked perfectly resulting in a glass flat record. These are new pressings so your results may require some adjustments of possibly doing it two times. I do not advise adding any more heat then I am using and do not put it in the oven.

I uses two 18 x 18 inch ceramic tiles with a smooth glazed side. Pre heat your oven to 160 degrees. Place both tiles in face up one on each rack. Place a meat thermometer on the tile on the bottom rack. Keep them in the oven until the thermometer reads 160 degrees. Remove the bottom tile first and place face up on a heat resistant surface. Now place the record down and put the second tile face down on top. The weight of the tile will be plenty. Let stand until completely cool. Carefully remove top tile and...

Flat record!
Click to expand...

Sounds intriguing. Where does one acquire such tiles? Have you tried this method with dish warps? With the new vinyl I get, that seems to be more and more of a problem, as opposed to ripple-y warps.
 
GreatTone said:
Sounds intriguing. Where does one acquire such tiles? Have you tried this method with dish warps? With the new vinyl I get, that seems to be more and more of a problem, as opposed to ripple-y warps.
Click to expand...

Yes...it tends to get rid of all types of warps [within reason]. I have a new pressing that was a real challenge for my tonearm, it tracked but was scary. This literally flattened the record as it should be.

I used 18" x 18" tiles that I had left over from a renovation. Smooth glaze on one side. Most Home Depot type stores should have them. The size I am using has a good weight to it, 12 x 12 may be too light.
 
I went the MRL Audio route and bought one of those fancy VinylFlat and Groovey Pouch devices - if a record went in my oven pretty sure it would end up "baked". I have a nice collection of warped albums I have been saving just in case such a device ever came along (including three never played Dylan - Under the Red Sky - not great album but valuable).

I will report back on the quailty and effectivenenss of the system (they provide a 30 day Money back guarantee).

Thanks for starting the post - never knew these warped records could be fixed.
 
visman said:
I went the MRL Audio route and bought one of those fancy VinylFlat and Groovey Pouch devices - if a record went in my oven pretty sure it would end up "baked". I have a nice collection of warped albums I have been saving just in case such a device ever came along (including three never played Dylan - Under the Red Sky - not great album but valuable).

I will report back on the quailty and effectivenenss of the system (they provide a 30 day Money back guarantee).

Thanks for starting the post - never knew these warped records could be fixed.
Click to expand...

From what I have read they work well...and with the pouch it's relatively safe. I only started this thread to those who don't want to spend the money on the Vinyl Flat w/pouch.

The problems I spoke of with them was limited to the one using the oven only...not the pouch.
 
Weight of vinyl you straightened

Question for the OP...

I think you said this was new vinyl you straightened? If so, was this 180 gm or more? Just wondering if a thinner LP would require a lower temp.

I think the device people have been buying has a chart based on the weight of the LP to determine the optimal temp.

Thanks!
 
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