Record center hole is too big

[reubensm]

Hi, recently I got a record with a largish center hole. I don't have a record clamp and hence I have to hold the record down with a makeshift piece of cardboard. What do you suggest, should I make the hole bigger and use the big hole 45rpm record adapter? If yes, what is the best method to accomplish this? Any other alternatives?

 

[Saket]

Will it be too awkward to use some putty like stuff to fill the hole a bit to make it a wee bit smaller, like putting some Mseal. It can stay there for a very very long time, just you have to make sure that the finish is good. Then you can also cover that tinkered job by pasting a paper over it which matches the record label.

If that is too much of work, of course, as you suggested, take out the bigger part and use a 45RPM adapter.

You can try the first one and then if the result is not satisfactory, you can then opt for the second idea!

 

[Simon Wires]

Cut a stick-label in to thin strips (2mm width and 20mm length), and stick around the holes perimeter.. Stack- Stick until it reaches the desired reduced Dia.

 

[reubensm]

would putty or mseal fall off?

also any suggestions for cutting a bigger center hole for accomodating the 45 adapter?

 

[reubensm]

Cut a stick-label in to thin strips (2mm width and 20mm length), and stick around the holes perimeter.. Stack- Stick until it reaches the desired reduced Dia.

oh, thats a good one, never thought of that

I'll try that out tonight, I can already see the result, know it will work :clapping:

 

[pathakajit]

Good idea simon wires! extending upon the same idea-

May be a bit tricky sticking tape upon tape to reduce dia...

Create a spindle adapter - take a thin cardboard tube (like the ones used to in sewing thread spools) and continue wrapping medical tape onto it to increase outer dia till the record fits. can disassemble record - adapter when not in use. Could help preserve the record's originality.

 

[reubensm]

Good idea simon wires! extending upon the same idea-

May be a bit tricky sticking tape upon tape to reduce dia...

Create a spindle adapter - take a thin cardboard tube (like the ones used to in sewing thread spools) and continue wrapping medical tape onto it to increase outer dia till the record fits. can disassemble record - adapter when not in use. Could help preserve the record's originality.

another good idea, let me try this one as well

 

[soulforged]

Would a record clamp help?

 

[reubensm]

a record clamp may not help as it just holds down the record, holds it in place

problem with a bigger center hole is getting the right center position for the spindle while placing the record on the platter, is a huge challenge. If the positioning is not done correctly, the tonearm will move from side to side while playing and music will play with significant wow.

Groove alignment in relation to the center spindle is therefore the criteria in question. If this alignmanent is not correct, clamping down the record still won't help.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I have made an acrylic record clamp for such records. I also have an aluminium record clamp which I use only for Direct Drives. I believe that heavy record clamps should not be used for Idlers as the load on the spindle bearing may not be good for the bearings. So I made an acrylic one which can hold the record tight . It is light and custom made to tightly fit into the spindle. I do not have pictures of it right now but that should solve the problem for larger hole records.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

a record clamp may not help as it just holds down the record, holds it in place

problem with a bigger center hole is getting the right center position for the spindle while placing the record on the platter, is a huge challenge. If the positioning is not done correctly, the tonearm will move from side to side while playing and music will play with significant wow.

Groove alignment in relation to the center spindle is therefore the criteria in question. If this alignmanent is not correct, clamping down the record still won't help.

Once you place the record as accurate as you can manually, I don't think it should be much of a problem..

 

[reubensm]

Once you place the record as accurate as you can manually, I don't think it should be much of a problem..

yes, that's how I am managing currently

 

[ANILKUMAR]

Hi, recently I got a record with a largish center hole. I don't have a record clamp and hence I have to hold the record down with a makeshift piece of cardboard. What do you suggest, should I make the hole bigger and use the big hole 45rpm record adapter? If yes, what is the best method to accomplish this? Any other alternatives?

My uncle used to make one using below method.

Some old big sized Talcum powder caps (Like Cutticura etc) will come handy. Sometimes surrounding it with an insulation tape(one with cloth like outer surface )gives you needed grip (and also to increase the dia in case if required).

1. Place the record with the big hole on a flat surface covered with cloth. Place the Cap exactly on the center hole.
2. On top the cap, place another EP with no large hole exactly parallel to the bottom one.
3. Mark the portion for making a hole on the plastic cap.
4. If you have the bottom portion of old metal pen, just heat it on a candle light and press it on the marking to make a hole.

 

[ANILKUMAR]

Another easy method, if you have some discarded/non playable EP records, just cut the center portion alone and stick it to the one with big hole using quick fix.

 

[sunder]

reuben, Clearaudio's Clever Clamp is the best thing for your problem. It is very useful on warped records also. Very light weight, clamping the record on the platter firmly. Easily can lock and take out. I'm using one.
Cheers,
sunder.

 

[reubensm]

Wow, so many options. The last option which is yet to be mentioned is - just get another copy of the record

Just joking, will give these a try.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I made my acrylic clamp very similar to clearaudio clamp without ever seeing the clearaudio clever camp. It is very effective. In fact I have made two to accomodate any size of spindle. i will show the pics tomorrow

 

[jls001]

Stop playing this record

 

[reubensm]

its actually an album which we used to listen to when we were kids, got a copy of this courtesy my good friend FM Simon, couple of days ago so can't stop playing it

 

[hildebrand]

Nice suggestions there. I also have some with weird shapes at the centre for which some of these tricks can be used