I just made a DIY cork mat...

[DENNYDOG]

Good thread. I went to Lowe's and Target yesterday. They both carry the thin cork liner with adhesive backing type. I would like to buy something thicker instead of laying one on top of another.

Anyone know where I can get the thicker type like on Redboy's pic? Thanks.

It looks like nates and mine are the same thickness. From the way it looks it is about 1/8" thick. If I remember correctly I got mine at Menards but I would think any local hardware store would have some on hand.

If they don't ask if they can order it for you. I was looking for some special dark Minwax polish and couldn't find it anywhere. I could buy it online but I didn't want to spend that much on shipping. I stopped by the local Ace hardware and they were able to order it for me. It ended up being cheaper than what I could have got it online and they didn't even charge me shipping.

 

[avionic]

Mcmaster-Carr p/n 3870A1 I have one of these its real darn handy. Gasket cutter as well as a complete set of gasket hole punches...metric and standard.

 

[BrocLuno]

RedBoy - maybe next time you can make a cork/suede glued composite? I understand that they really work well. I'll be making one this winter. Really want to hear the difference from one side to the other?

 

[Redboy]

Yeah, as soon as I get some time to listen I'd like to try a bunch of different mats on this table. Clydeselsor suggested that the stock mat may have been contributing to the poor bass response on this table, and he was right. This definitely was a step in the right direction.

The cork I used came in a four-pack of cork panels, each 12" square, 1/4" thick (I think). It's sold for use as a DIY bulletin board - hang them on the wall and stick pins in them. I've seen them in several stores, and even at Target I think, but I picked up this unopened pack at a thrift shop for less than a buck.

The Empire platter has a popup 45 adaptor on it that's slightly raised above the rest of the platter. What that means is it requires a "custom" mat - I have to cut a hole about 1.5" in diameter out of the center of my mat. I'm going to try some cheap DIY mats first before I start chopping up any nice mats that I have.

Next up, maybe the IKEA placemat.

What else should I try?

 

[golana]

I would like you to try "ultra suede", someone made mention a page back. It got me thinking. I made a backgammon board awhile back, out of this. Available, and pretty cheap, through Tandy Leather. It is soft, dense, less than an 1/8" thick, and the funny thing is my dice would abruptly stop. This suede grabbed a hold of the dice and held tight. I would think, all the properties you would want. As I stated before, common roofing felt paper coupled with the dampening aspects of cork, supposedly bring the bass alive. What am I saying here, I should be trying these myself. I guess I'll get back to you. Thanks for the kick. Mike

 

[Tinyelvis]

Try making a clamp out of a hockey puck!! Heavy and easily drilled into. And CHEAP!

GOOD idea! I went out and bought a puck for street hockey. A sweet metal looking fella:

Still have yet to drill the hole, but soon.

I have to look into the cork mat tho. I have a Pioneer PL530 & 570 rolling, and I don't see any need for another/additional mat.

 

[ehoove]

I made one for my Thorens TD125 MKII, but after compareing it with the DIY shelf liner mat, I went back to the non cork mat. It just sounded better, more open and much tighter bass. Both were the same thickness so VTA was not an issue. I got the material at Walmart for $2.99 - enough to make 10 mats or so, and is the same material that the guy on eBay sells as the Audio Bliss mat. I did rinse and dry the mat once cut to make sure there were no chemicals left on it.
Regards,
Jim

 

[Gregoire]

I've tried this, and I probably used too thin a sheet, so will try it again.

I noticed though that it "feels" like the mat sheds a little bit of cork. I can't see it, but I can feel it when I run my fingers over it. anyone else notice this?

 

[Redboy]

Mine leaves bits of cork dust on the rekkid. Nothing a brush won't take care of.

 

[Sansui Louie]

Now you just need to make a DIY record clamp out of a plastic Peanut Butter jar lid and you will be set.

RC

Rubber gas line works well also...and very inexpensive.

 

[Scoogs]

Picked up some cork for a mat yesterday and cut one out last night.
One question though; shouldn't there be a larger hole in the center to allow for the raised label area on the record to drop down and the grooves to rest on the mat?

 

[Redboy]

Picked up some cork for a mat yesterday and cut one out last night.
One question though; shouldn't there be a larger hole in the center to allow for the raised label area on the record to drop down and the grooves to rest on the mat?

Nope. You only need to accomodate the spindle, so you should be good to go with what you've got now.

How does it sound?

 

[Scoogs]

I'm actually not sure if I can really hear a difference or not yet.
I tried A/Bing it several times on the same song and thought there MIGHT be a very slight difference, but that could have just been placebo effect.

 

[Christian27]

Bump! Is anyone still doing these? I have an Audio Technica lp60 that came with a felt mat that builds up a lot of static. I can get 12x12 cork sheets or a big roll of cork from Menards for about $6. Worth trying?

 

[zoombrewer77]

I'm all for DIY when and if appropriate, but if there's a cheap alternative that accomplishes the same goal, I'll take that route 10 times out of 10.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vinyl-St...MIx7qsss3e3wIVBNvACh0VuwcEEAQYByABEgJDCfD_BwE

 

[WV punx]

Bump! Is anyone still doing these? I have an Audio Technica lp60 that came with a felt mat that builds up a lot of static. I can get 12x12 cork sheets or a big roll of cork from Menards for about $6. Worth trying?

I just got one yesterday. Took all the precautions after reading up on this for hours and hours.
I have to admit that it did sound better on my system
However there were a lot of particles from the cork left behind on the record. I tried cleaning it up as best I could, but it's still not as clean as it was before. & Of course I can't afford some $1000 record cleaning machine & also nobody in my area offers cleaning services.
Funny how this is the only thread I can find where anyone mentioned that (also funny no one replied to those comments.)
I'd avoid doing this.
Maybe the expensive pre-made cork mats are better, but definitely do not buy any cork to make your own.

 

[WV punx]

I've tried this, and I probably used too thin a sheet, so will try it again.

I noticed though that it "feels" like the mat sheds a little bit of cork. I can't see it, but I can feel it when I run my fingers over it. anyone else notice this?

Yes! & Now I can't get the record i used on it cleaned up like it was before. I'd say over time this has to be very bad for vinyl.
Also, the record spins independently of the cork mat during start & stop. I didn't notice any scratches but that's also not a good thing.

 

[Alan G.]

I’ve made my own cork mats for my three operating turntables. Cost me $4-$5 each. Never have I had a problem with cork particles sticking to the records (except at the very beginning) OR the records spinning independently on the cork.

PLUS, I’ve not had a static problem (mats lifting with records while being taken off the turntable or “crackling”) since using the record cleaning formula found about halfway through the thread, “Record cleaning, you’re doing it wrong”.

Lucky me.

 

[Gregoire]

Yes! & Now I can't get the record i used on it cleaned up like it was before. I'd say over time this has to be very bad for vinyl.
Also, the record spins independently of the cork mat during start & stop. I didn't notice any scratches but that's also not a good thing.

I can't believe it's been over 10 years since I posted what you quoted! Since then I've gone to a deerskin mat some guy in California makes. I really like it!