Straightening LP's

[jmascreen]

Recently I got two LP's which has a slight bend because of which I am not able to play it. Is there any home remedy to straighten it

 

[reubensm]

the SL D3 s-shaped tonearm, if calibrated properly, should be able to play warped records provided you are using the M44-7. This is assuming the records are not folded, bent or broken. If you use most other carts, you'd experience a skip or a hop. Again, depending on the extent of the warp, you may be able to correct it to some extent (again assuming the warp was caused by incorrect storage and not heat). Keeping the record in a press may have debatable results but be careful about causing damage to the record surface due to scratching or extreme pressure. Another incorrect (but commonly used) approach is to increase the tracking force (but don't do this).

 

[magma]

may or may not be applicable
but they do work well for mildly warped records

http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/19484-universal-record-stabilising-ring-3.html

http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/19484-universal-record-stabilising-ring-11.html

 

[haisaikat]

One of my LPs once got warped so I placed it without any hope in atyhe middle of a vertical LP stack. After a month accidentally I opened it to see that it is not straight and good again for playback.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I have tried several methods and none of them work effectively. The problem with vinyl is that when a warp is straightened, the warp gets transferred to another area on the record unless one monitors with clamps that needs to be tightened when record is heated up and the warp is uniformly eliminated. This is easier said than done

 

[jls001]

Check out : http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/25286-warped-vinyl-flattener.html

 

[Selvin]

I have tried several methods and none of them work effectively. The problem with vinyl is that when a warp is straightened, the warp gets transferred to another area on the record

+1 True.. I experienced the same...

 

[Record Player]

I think the best shot you can give is stack those warped LPs in your record collection or even under your bed mattress for a few weeks and that may just help to some extent.

I've seen some videos on youtube with some heating techniques but I would not advice them as nobody from here has tried and tested that approach.

 

[Shivam]

Recently I got two LP's which has a slight bend because of which I am not able to play it. Is there any home remedy to straighten it

Do you mean 'Warp' when you say bend ?
Slightly warped records won't cause problem to such an extent that you are unable to play it. Is the arm moving towards center or outwards on trying to play the LP ? Is there a jump of a few tracks ? Are there any scratches too?

If it really is warped to an extend that you are unable to play it then there's little you can do about it. One of the good options that I have found for playing slightly warped records is the center weight and the side clamp. Both are available through our forum member magma.

 

[shafic]

I think the best shot you can give is stack those warped LPs in your record collection or even under your bed mattress for a few weeks and that may just help to some extent.

I've seen some videos on youtube with some heating techniques but I would not advice them as nobody from here has tried and tested that approach.

I already tried with stack some warped LPs between heavy books ( more than 50 kg ) for a month. no effect.

 

[aks07]

My usual method is to make a sandwich of the wrapped record with 2 sheets of heavy glass.

1. Get 2 sheets of glass of approx size 1.5ft x 1.5ft of about 10mm thickness
2. Spread the first glass sheet horizontally in a level place.
3. Place the offending record on this glass sheet and press it down with the second sheet of glass.
4. Keep it sandwiched till the wrap is flattened out. This can take a few days. A hot ambient temp makes it faster.
5. If the ambient temp is very cold than you can lay it out in sunshine. If the sun is too hot than shed the sandwich with a towel.

But be careful not leave the sandwich under a very hot sun for long period. It may damage the micro grooves.

This only works with vinyl records. This is a crude method but usually gives me an absolutely flat record.

Standard disclaimers apply

 

[reubensm]

I have tried several methods and none of them work effectively. The problem with vinyl is that when a warp is straightened, the warp gets transferred to another area on the record unless one monitors with clamps that needs to be tightened when record is heated up and the warp is uniformly eliminated. This is easier said than done

Talk of the man's knowledge through experience, this is absolutely true. If you straighten a warped record, the grooves are likely to take a zig-zag form. I have experienced this.

 

[blackisback]

Magma's record stabilizing ring really works...