This thread is not about permanent storage of LPs; it is about how to store the LPs you keep out on regular rotation.

In the record store, they use cardboard boxes, approx. 13" wide: The jacket is facing the customer, and with a flick of a finger, he can leaf through records at high speed and with very little jacket wear.

Contrast that with a home setup where you keep the records, spine out, on a shelf. To access an album, you need to:


Put your index finger on the top corner and tilt the album out, putting pressure on the lower corner.
Grab the album and slide it out on the lower seam and against the faces of the adjacent albums.
If it is not the album you want, slide it back in again.
Repeat as needed.


The latter method is not only slow and inefficient, it also creates all kinds of wear issues on sleeve corners, faces and seams.

Does anyone know of LP storage devices that provide the face-out benefits of the "record store box", but at the same time has enough WAF to be presentable, say in a living room setting?

At a local record store they have bins set up as you say, made out of particle board.

I've thought often of measuring them and building one. You could easily subsitute nice wood for particle board.

It's still a record bin though! I've also considered putting a hinged lid on one so they would either be a kinda buffet table or built-in look bench.

Pete

Does anyone know of LP storage devices that provide the face-out benefits of the "record store box", but at the same time has enough WAF to be presentable, say in a living room setting?

Well, that is a tall order. I have seen it done on HGTV, so what I describe is from memory.

One of those designer shows featured a couple and the husband had lots of LPs (cool guy) while his wife loathed them (twit). The designer was hired to redo either their living room or family room. What he did was build a shelf system (i.e. Built Ins) that covered the entire wall/side of the house. There was some room for books, a vase, etc. But the majority was made for the LPs.

He built slots that I guess were 13' x 13'. And then inside the slots went these drawers/bins that held the records so that you could pull out the drawer and flip through them. When you closed the drawer, you could barely tell there were LPs stored. Very, very tasteful.

An ambitious project, Sigurd. But you seem to be pretty adept at woodworking. Good luck.:thmbsp:

I got 2 of these (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6486634) at walmart a while back for half price. It's a 13" cube trunk. They look nice and they are stackable but are somewhat expensive. The inside is cloth lined also.
Here's a thread (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=155473) I made when I bought them. There are a few pics in it.

I use one of those Ikea bookshelves. In addition I started putting the albums in poly sleeves which make for easy and protective sliding in and out. I also don't pack them in tightly. I'm getting dividers to alphabetically organize them too. Since I can also see the titles on the spine I don't have to flip through them. Works for me.

You could easily invert a rubbermaid shelf used in closet applications to mimmick the record store format with the albums facing forward...

This is all so much personal preference, but if you’re looking for something ready-made and want to cycle 25-30 lps to your “on deck” circle, old fashioned magazine racks are pretty tasteful looking.

http://i32.tinypic.com/3486az8.jpg

If you loose pack 70 or so LPs into one of the open-design record table/racks, these can work pretty smoothly. Just grab 20 or so and pull them out halfway, then just flick ‘em back in one at a time.

http://i32.tinypic.com/34xg94i.jpg

Most of the time, I like setting up a row and leaning them against a chair leg. If I’ve got a big night with friends on tap, I’ll set up about 50 to 70 this way. Everybody can flip through them with ease.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2i7p7k1.jpg

Then there’s Andyman’s vinyl transport boxes, they definitely make a statement.

http://i27.tinypic.com/10xeid3.jpg

If you’re serious about building record store type bins, consider incorporating some kind of wedge that can bring your LPs back to vertical after leafing through them. Maybe I’m just paranoid with summer coming and that four-letter word that begins with “W”.

- Mario

You could easily invert a rubbermaid shelf used in closet applications to mimmick the record store format with the albums facing forward...

Thats what I have.

I've always said it's absolutely crucial that your records are easily accessible to enjoy them. Some of mine are in crates on the floor, where I can flip through them like you do at a record store. Many others are sideways on a wall shelf, but I don't like to look for an lp by reading that skinny spine, so I just stand sideways and flip through to find what I'm looking for.

You know you can buy the cardboard storage boxes relatively cheaply at places like Bags Unlimited.

Here's mine shelved. I can only wish I could have them flippable from front to back. I just don't have that kinda space in my living room, and really don't want to keep them in the basement. Too far to walk on those drinking evenings with fragile vinyl.

I just pull out a handfull, and stand to the side too and flip through them. You will notice on the floor I've got a few stacks I flip through too...

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=94447&stc=1&d=1213054679

I got 2 of these (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6486634) at walmart a while back for half price. It's a 13" cube trunk. They look nice and they are stackable but are somewhat expensive. The inside is cloth lined also.
Here's a thread (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=155473) I made when I bought them. There are a few pics in it.

those are nice looking, but I would need at least a dozen of them...


I use one of those Ikea bookshelves. In addition I started putting the albums in poly sleeves which make for easy and protective sliding in and out. I also don't pack them in tightly. I'm getting dividers to alphabetically organize them too. Since I can also see the titles on the spine I don't have to flip through them. Works for me.


I have one of those shelves as well, the one with 8 openings, as well as putting all my records in poly sleeves, but I still find it a pain to pick through them. I much preferred them lined up against a wall or something like that.
for a while I had em mostly in milk crates.


Recently I was thinking Filing cabinets might do the trick.

they're usually 15" wide, so the drawer is 13". dont know if the drawers are high enough though.

if they are they would be good, because they are quite sturdy. even has a sliding adjuster in it to allow you to ensure the records stay vertical.
open up the drawer, loosen the slidy clamp thing, and flip through.

the only issue i see with filing cabinets is that they are ugly.


I like the story about the home design thing, with the big shelf of drawers.

Check out IKEA if you have one near you. The sell stackable bookshelf cubes that you could put shelves in (I don't). You can also buy optional doors for them (I don't. They are perfect for about 50-60 record albums each. Once the LPs are in them - you have about a 2" gap at the top to slip your finger in and get your LP. They're not too expensive. I have about eight of them. People always want to know where I got them.

They also have other DORM ROOM type stuff that might work just as well.
unfortunately they discontinued the wood finish that I was purchasing over the years - but they still have other finishes that you might like.

Filing cabinets don't work. Checked already. I haven't found one yet that had the right dimensions--most drawers I find are only 11 1/2" tall. Damn shame because they're everywhere and usually cheap.

Filing cabinets don't work. Checked already. I haven't found one yet that had the right dimensions--most drawers I find are only 11 1/2" tall. Damn shame because they're everywhere and usually cheap.


boo
boo-urns.

back to the drawing board.

So Njord, what is the verdict? Any of these ideas catch your fancy?

I've wished for a long time that I could flip through my entire collection (about 700 LPs now), but I just don't have the floorspace. I have mine stored like you, with a few piles on the floor to flip through like you.

But I bought poly outer sleeves for all my LPs about 8 years ago now every new one gets a prophylactic after it gets washed and welcomed. So the issues of ring wear are diminished if not completely eliminated.

One pain-in-the-arse thing was that these outer sleeves would work their way off the records a bit, stick out, and make the collection look kind of messy and even herder to read. Then, just last week, it dawned on me to install the poly sleeve from the bottom, open on the top, then when I slide it into place, it stays put, nice and neat.

Anyway,
good luck. I'll be interested to hear if you find a good solution.

So Njord, what is the verdict? Any of these ideas catch your fancy? Thanks to all for many great ideas. I like the drawer idea, but in order to meet strict WAF requirements I believe something built in may be the best way to go, which means getting this done right has to be part of a "master plan": I guess I will keep on thinking about solutions until we do some kind of remodel; little or big.

Back in the days of wire spool tables we used fruit crates for browser boxes.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n43/Virago_1986/grapes.jpg

Now they are considered antiques, possiblly increasing WAF factor.

Jim

Thanks to all for many great ideas. I like the drawer idea, but in order to meet strict WAF requirements I believe something built in may be the best way to go, which means getting this done right has to be part of a "master plan": I guess I will keep on thinking about solutions until we do some kind of remodel; little or big.

Sounds like the way to go. The "Big Picture", so to speak. Let us know when the library is built.:thmbsp:

Good topic and one my wife and I are discussing now that my LP collection is starting to really grow.

Currently I am using wicker baskets that are available at Target for $15-$20. They hold about 30 LP's, allow you to flip through them easily and go with our somewhat Asian themed living room where my 2-channel set-up resides. The Closet Maid concept can be done quickly and cheaply and one I would consider if my set-up was in a separate room of the house. I think I will check out Ikea on line (they do deliver even if one is not in your immediate area) since I do seem to recall some shelving units with large pull out drawers that could be used for LP's. A fairly good sized wall unit near my gear would be practical and have high WAF.

http://www.lpstoragesolutions.com/

http://www.lpstoragesolutions.com/
That product is actually quite nice! I like the facilty for lighting up the lower level. I was surprised when I saw it could hold 400 albums - it doesn't look that large from the photos.

However, for my decor, I would need to refinish it in something other than black: White would nice, or better yet - reveneer! Walnut, rosewood, birch, pine - sky's the limit!

I've had no problem with spine wear from my shelf unit I bought.
It works the most practical and space saving way for me to store my records in my room.
Note the albums do hang out about 1 1/2 past the shelf but have had no problems with any extra or unusual wear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/specvtacular/Home%20Theater/VinylStorage1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/specvtacular/Home%20Theater/P1010212.jpg
I now have both bottom shelves full and about 1/4 of the third shelf full.
These pics are old pics of when I first got it.

Shelf only cost $88 including shipping.

http://www.lpbin.com

http://www.lpbin.com

That's pretty sweet, a little pricey for what it is, but sweet!!

The IKEA Expedit shelves have accessory bins available (I think in several styles), and these would hold records in laterally for “index” viewing. Just use them as a drawer as you go and don’t over pack. (I hate It when the used record bins are so full you can’t scan through them.)

On the wicker basket Idea, I’d be worried the abrasive nature of the wicker would be in constant grind on the record sleeve sides and bottoms. I’ve seen these cloth lined and that might work also.

Would something like those WalMart trunk cubes fit into the spaces in the Ikea Expedit shelves?

The only problem would be when you pulled one out a little too far, which you would probably do in order to leaf through them... a cube full of LPs is pretty heavy! You'd be trading off the inconvenience of removing and re-inserting the cube, for the convenience of flipping through the records store-style.

To build an ideal solution --something like pull-out and flip-down drawers stacked into shelves-- would require some shop space, tools, time and money, not to mention a little engineering and construction skill!

The IKEA Expedit shelves have accessory bins available (I think in several styles)

That is an excellent idea (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40133545) that I would like to look into: The bins would also protect the albums from dust and sunlight.

My main concern is, with external dimensions of 13"x13" (and allowing for material thickness), that these bins will be tight (especially with outer protective sleeves on your albums), if not too small.

The standard LP cover is 12.25" square, right?

[QUOTE=The standard LP cover is 12.25" square, right?[/QUOTE]

Actually 12 3/8".

I spent this past weekend modifying an open framed book rack I bought at Ethen Allen during one of their local store closings. Solid wood construction with adjustable shelves that make a perfect stereo rack which I had planned on moving my equipment to when I purchased a plasma t.v. Well the rack wasn't being used and my albums were stored in my entertainment center with bad access behind doors. Drilled some new shelf mounting holes to accomodate the 12 3/8" height plus 1/4" and added some 3/4" inside molding to top of the bottom shelves and the underside of upper shelves. This was to keep the albums from falling off the sides and maintain that open look. I did this on 2 layers giving me 39" of total LP storage which allows me now to add more to my collection without damaging the jackets. If needed I could do the mod one more time and give me even more space or convert it back to a deligated stereo rack when I can afford that new tv with it's own stand custom made by Gothic Cabinet Craft.

I'll post pics if I can get Goat67 to bring over a camera.

Try using a lateral file. I've run across several in used office furniture stores and salvation army stores that had plenty of space vertically. They're usually 14" deep too to handle legal sized files.

I have a couple of the LPBIN's side by side. They hold about 900 records. I considered that Ikea shelf, but in my opinion thats for storing away your collection and not enjoying it.

anyone interested in these? I just bought one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Odyssey-KLPDS-KROM-LP-Case?sku=542068

sweet! and only $30

sweet! and only $30
wow I like them also.
about to take the plunge and order one.

I noticed they have the LPBIN on Ebay now...

No E-Bay or other auction links or numbers outside of Dollars and Sense please.

That's pretty sweet, a little pricey for what it is, but sweet!!

Very nice idea. :thmbsp: I'm thinking they would not be that difficult to build in a larger size. It's all straight cuts and right angles. What would be really cool would be to have it built 3 wide with the LPs on the bottom and a flat shelf on top to hold my record cleaner. :scratch2: That would give you 5 record bins and a place for a cleaner. :D This calls for a little more research.
:music:

Very nice idea. Yes it is. The only modification I would make to it would be to put in a dividing wall between the rows of records to prevent wear damage from flipping through the record rows.

This appears to be your quintessential IKEA style product, though, and seems pretty pricey for what it is: A sheet of 3/4" ply and a table saw should take care of it for a lot less.

I though i would share some of the sites i found when i was looking for the best solution.

http://www.boltz.com/productinfo_item_30-deptcode1_502.htm

http://www.gothiccabinetcraft.com/shelf-rack-basetop-unit-p-2300.html?cPath=2_28

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73882

http://www.cddvdshelves.com/vinyl-racks.html