two records i just bought are a bit warped, they play fine but it kills me to look at them.

i read something about blowdrying the record on a flat surface and applying pressure to it with a heavy book or something but im hoping there is a better method.

thanks in advance for the help!

Maybe take 2 heavier sheets of aluminum and drill them to make a press securing through the spindle hole and around the edges with screws and wing nuts. The aluminum will touch only the outside rim and raised label area and not the grooves. Not sure the best temperature but then you could heat the record and with the setup, there should be pretty even heat distribution and then let it cool. I think the key is even heating and cooling otherwise you could end up with a worsened warp.

I would suggest to use the warped records as they are and try to find better copies of them. If you try to fix the warped ones you may damage them beyond playablity. At least now you can listen to them while you look for better copies.

There is some really good info about the issue in this recent thread (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=169828).

I have several pretty badly warped records as well. One is a Pat Benetar LP that is unplayable - with any reasonable tracking force the needle still jumps after the biggest bump. Following the advice in that thread I visited a glass shop the other day and got two glass plates cut to a size to comfortably cover a record. I also got some weights from GW, and I am planning to set that that contraption up under a halogen desk lamp. Those get pretty hot and should particularly heat up the black vinyl pretty nicely. I think the trick is to heat the record while it is being pressed flat, and let it cool down while still being pressed. I haven't tried my luck with it yet, but I will over the next few days. If it works well, I might built a box around it to contain the heat from the lamp, and also ad a timer, so I can set the lamp to be on for a certain amount of time and then switch itself off. Then I'd only have to take the LP out once it's cooled down and insert another one. :thmbsp:

HTH

Frank

i think the real answer to that question is, ya don't. the two sheets of glass thing has been circulated and recirculated ad nauseum. the real fix is a clamp for mild warps, and new, flat copies for the bad ones. or, you could get one of those $1500 record flatteners, and apparently, they really do work.

or, you could get one of those $1500 record flatteners, and apparently, they really do work.

Yes they do!:banana:

For those interested, the "heating temperature" inside the Furutech flattener is 130 degrees F. The heating cycle last one hour, the cooling cycle two hours. I works even on insanely warped records. I've been able to flattener large warps and the record will play, but if there is "groove distoration", the record will play, but with a "warble" in the playback. Average warps will disappear and the LP will play fine. How about some before and after pic's???

Stock photo:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/Furutech.jpg


Before:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/warped_lp.jpg

After:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/flattenedlp.jpg

You ask "Is it worth $1,500 even if it flattens all my warped LPs?" If it will cost you a ton of money to replace your warped records, then yes. Why not share the cost with some friends??

Carl

You need:
1. Two flat objects to put the LP between them
2. A heavyyyyy object.
3. A very mild source of heat (you don't want to melt your record)
4. Lots of patience and wait until it comes back to its original flat aspect.

A 1500$ record flattener? It sounds well.... too much for my thin wallet.

i think the real answer to that question is, ya don't. the two sheets of glass thing has been circulated and recirculated ad nauseum. the real fix is a clamp for mild warps, and new, flat copies for the bad ones. or, you could get one of those $1500 record flatteners, and apparently, they really do work.

This is what I was thinking too, you don't.

How about they make a record flattener that doesn't cost more than my turntable did?!?!

I'm glad to hear it works though, maybe I'll win the lottery.

Yes they do!:banana:

For those interested, the "heating temperature" inside the Furutech flattener is 130 degrees F. The heating cycle last one hour, the cooling cycle two hours. I works even on insanely warped records. I've been able to flattener large warps and the record will play, but if there is "groove distoration", the record will play, but with a "warble" in the playback. Average warps will disappear and the LP will play fine. How about some before and after pic's???

Stock photo:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/Furutech.jpg


Before:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/warped_lp.jpg

After:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p97/schwarcw/flattenedlp.jpg

You ask "Is it worth $1,500 even if it flattens all my warped LPs?" If it will cost you a ton of money to replace your warped records, then yes. Why not share the cost with some friends??

Carl

That and a high-end record washer would be a good club investment.

I have tried many times to flatten warped LPs. I've used the 'two sheets of glass' method in hot sun and the oven. I experimented with a dry-mount press (a large platen used for mounting photographs and artwork).

It is not worth the bother unless you've got some incredibly rare LP that has a mild to moderate warp. Even then, it's very difficult to make an improvement. Any record with a bad edge warp should be discarded. Sure, you can get it flat, but you'll have a terrible 'WOW' effect and risk having the stylus being thrown sideways out of the groove.

Would I consider investing in a Furutech disc flattener? No way. I can't justify the expense, given the relatively few badly warped records I encounter.

When I'm faced with a moderately warped disc that a customer brings me (for conversion to WAV & CDR), I can always get it to play. Warped discs go onto my Technics SP-15, equipped with a long tonearm and a Stanton 500 cartridge. Tracking at 5 grams, the Stanton will play just about any POS record I throw at it.

Another trick is the 'nickel on the tonearm'. Keep in mind you need to readjust VTF when you do this.

If they are new records, I would take them back for replacement. Otherwise, I think Jonman is on the right track. I would suggest to use the warped records as they are and try to find better copies of them. If you try to fix the warped ones you may damage them beyond playablity. At least now you can listen to them while you look for better copies.

are there any services out there that would flatten it for me using one of those expensive machines?

Hmmm. A vinyl flattening cooperative. I can see many regional AK co-ops sprouting up with VPI's and record flatteners...

If they play fine, then record them. CD-R or tape. And don't look at the vinyl again.

I have heard the two plates of glass trick with a hair dryer. Haven't tried it though. So use at own risk.

Or just don't look. :)