How to Safely Flatten a Warped Record...

[dfunghi]

Dave did you purchase the VF pocket? I use that quite effectively. 4-6 hours and I am generally good to good. Have baked em longer if needed.

I made my own. IMO better than what is sold by VF. https://www.amazon.com/BodyMed-Digi...0074082&sr=8-10&keywords=14X27++heat+pad&th=1 and I use a bunch of 2"clips all around to seal it up.

I have been removing a bend, yes a bend, from an LP for a fellow AKer. It is about 89% better but needle still jumps a bit. This was close to a 40° angle on the bend.

The pad I bought offers much better temp control over the VF pouch. I may have my wife sew three sides closed and make it into a pouch. It cost less than the pouch. My VF used to work better just left in sun but the new top (larger diameter) is BLACK and it gets too hot. Smoothed the grooves right off a couple LPs. I tried leaving outside with a towel over it but that never got warm enough. The oven method is so risky and so hard to do with most ovens really not staying cool enough.

My solution is to toss the warped LP. After all, in this day of high technology why would we want a warped record that was compromised in the first place when it was new and still a virgin?

Hard to toss a classic that the reissues all are lowered standards of LP/ pressings/ mastering. No sense working to fix a warped LP easily replaced I guess. The VF does all the work. I just need to load it up and set timer / temp or if not abad warp just leave in VF for a couple weeks.

 

[slobrain]

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!

Cool, I use that same method too. I think this works better than putting an album in the oven.