I think they are for outdoor electrical mountings, or applications, actually. They are called "Blank Round Plate Cover" or something like that and are available in 4" diameter; I think they were in the outdoor electrical section of the store. I got them at Orchard along with the clamping knobs. They are about $2.35 apiece or something like that. What's nice is that they come with the weatherstripping seal. I used Gorilla Glue because it would glue foam to painted metal. I bought two titanium nitride plated drills, a small one to start the hole, and a larger one that would fit the clamp knob "bolt"...it's a 1/4 by 3/4 or something like that. I used a punch to mark the center, then drilled a smaller hole first, and then the larger hole after. The steel is pretty tough, so you need good, sharp drill bits. Also, when you do the gluing, just use a thin strip of Gorilla Glue in a circle, concentric with the center of the weatherstrip area, it will tend to squeeze out the sides if you use too much. You can easily clean off any excuse glue that has not set up with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) wetted on a paper towel if it oozes out.
Record Cleaning - Soap and Water - test results
- Thread starter Snade
- Start date
ozmoid
Lunatic Member
No matter what methods and materials you use to loosen the dirt, the real advantage in an RCM is the quick and complete removal of the cleaning solution (and all the dirt it has lifted/captured). Far beyond what you can accomplish with any fabric wiper, no matter how absorbent.
You don't need a multi-$100 RCM unit - though they are attractive, convenient, and often easier to use. Any rig that will let you vacuum off the water will suffice, even something as simple as a modified crevice tool or narrow upholstery head with a velvet cover on the contact surfaces.
That turned out really well Puma. I have to find those clamp handles for my own.
I've been lurking and reading this thread for a couple of weeks and trying out the methods mentioned.
I went ahead and made my own label saver using 1/2" thick plexi (acrylic). I had the shop guys at work use some of the scraps to make two 4 1/4" discs for me and am using those. Finding the right washers took a little experimentation. I bought a small sheet of gasket rubber, but that was too hard and didn't compress down over the edge of the label area. That let water in around the edges, so I picked up some foam rubber washers in the plumbing department at Menard's.
Those work perfectly. They're soft enough to compress down over the edge of the raised label area and tight enough to keep all of the water out.
I also picked up a new paint pad yesterday to try out. I've been using a regular 2" brush to clean lps, but wasn't sure it was always getting down into the grooves enough. This pad has a lot of nice short bristles and seems to do a good job.
I've been lurking and reading this thread for a couple of weeks and trying out the methods mentioned.
I went ahead and made my own label saver using 1/2" thick plexi (acrylic). I had the shop guys at work use some of the scraps to make two 4 1/4" discs for me and am using those. Finding the right washers took a little experimentation. I bought a small sheet of gasket rubber, but that was too hard and didn't compress down over the edge of the label area. That let water in around the edges, so I picked up some foam rubber washers in the plumbing department at Menard's.
Those work perfectly. They're soft enough to compress down over the edge of the raised label area and tight enough to keep all of the water out.
I also picked up a new paint pad yesterday to try out. I've been using a regular 2" brush to clean lps, but wasn't sure it was always getting down into the grooves enough. This pad has a lot of nice short bristles and seems to do a good job.
Attachments
I would be very careful doing this.
Some of those 78 RPM records could be hurt by prolonged exposure to water.
southp
Active Member
I picked up all the supplies I needed today to make my own Groovmaster. I'll take pics as well of the process.
Justen
Send Lawyers,Guns & Money
Paratima
E'Wavin'
Week? You think? :boink:
kretinus
squanto was a fool
I seriously doubt that any high buck record cleaner would do any better of a job as this method since aside from the vac water removal it's essentially the same procedure, it's more convenient though.
As long as you use a fine enough brush to actually reach into the grooves and clean it thoroughly, it's going to work.
I use this method only I use a shower head to blast the record when rinsing as I rotate it and blot dry and there is a profound difference from the original condition, and yes even records I've bought from stores that were washed by a machine have benefitted from this method.
I now do this to every record I buy and then immediately rip it to FLAC and listen to the files to preserve the record as long as possible.
As long as you use a fine enough brush to actually reach into the grooves and clean it thoroughly, it's going to work.
I use this method only I use a shower head to blast the record when rinsing as I rotate it and blot dry and there is a profound difference from the original condition, and yes even records I've bought from stores that were washed by a machine have benefitted from this method.
I now do this to every record I buy and then immediately rip it to FLAC and listen to the files to preserve the record as long as possible.
southp
Active Member
I find that weird. It's like ruining the vinyl ritual. Soundwise, I'll admit it's probably similar, but it's just not the same.
kretinus
squanto was a fool
Well, speaking for myself, I rip it to FLAC directly, no processing, and my ears seriously can't tell the difference, I can however tell the difference between a CD of the same material and a rip, the rip sounds much better.
I do play records when I'm in the mood to sit down and do nothing but listen to music, and I enjoy the ritual of playing records, but when I'm listening to music while doing something else, the digital files are more convenient.
If I played records exclusively, I'd be degrading my collection eventually, and some of them I've looked for for some time, like the new, sealed Manheim Steamroller Fresh Aire V that arrived in the mail today.
I don't see much difference between ripping and recording to tape really.
But that's just my opinion, it works for me, it might not work for someone with better ears.
I do play records when I'm in the mood to sit down and do nothing but listen to music, and I enjoy the ritual of playing records, but when I'm listening to music while doing something else, the digital files are more convenient.
If I played records exclusively, I'd be degrading my collection eventually, and some of them I've looked for for some time, like the new, sealed Manheim Steamroller Fresh Aire V that arrived in the mail today.
I don't see much difference between ripping and recording to tape really.
But that's just my opinion, it works for me, it might not work for someone with better ears.
Divotdog
"I can fix it Grampa"
beatcomber
AK Member
The "fuzzy" sound from 45s (and beat-up LPs) will be suppressed if you play them with a conical stylus. Of course, some detail will be sacrificed too, but the compromise is worth it. I use a Stanton 500AL-II cart set at 3.75 grams for playing my old 45s and scratchy LPs. It sounds great and is very cheap. (I bought a pair of slightly used ones for $30 on eBay.)
I have been meaning to go to the store and get some things done but I'm having just too much fun cleaning albums. The results have been wonderful and have nixed a record cleaning machine from the list. Snade once again thanks for the Groovmaster tip and proper use of.
specialidiot
Break Glass, Smoke Lucky
I've been using my new Groovmaster too. Like IXLR8, the RCM has now dropped off my wishlist.
Yeah, it might be better, but I'm quite happy with the results of manual cleaning. IMO, its not just the cover over the label that sells it, as others have stated its also a great handle to use while cleaning and drying the LP.
Yeah, it might be better, but I'm quite happy with the results of manual cleaning. IMO, its not just the cover over the label that sells it, as others have stated its also a great handle to use while cleaning and drying the LP.
synclavier82
Well-Known Member
Awesome, can't wait!
beatcomber
AK Member
I made one similar to ashok's and 88gibson's, using a pair of 4" plumbing end-caps, a 1/4" threaded rod and nut, and some sheets of rubber cut to size and glued onto the end-caps. Just a small amount of water seeps under and onto the edge of the label, but it otherwise works really well. The bonus of having a handle to hold the record makes it really easy to do a good job with the soapy paintbrush. The sonic results have been impressive!