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We Need an Affordable Record Flattener

Dear audio industry:

The vinyl loving public at large could use an LP flattener that is affordable, say $500 or less. The DIY method apparently works fine but for those of us with gas ovens and/or those who don't trust ourselves trying to get it right without getting it wrong, an alternative would be great to have. It seems that a great number of new LP releases have at least a slight warp on the outside of the album if not worse and a device to eliminate that would be a great thing to have. From what I can tell by looking at the $1000 plus units that are out there, it's not a device that requires a huge amount of R&D or rocket science grade components.

Hopefully some of you agree with me out there, I would think that it's a great opportunity for someone...
audiojedi
grimace
624 posts
 
Lewm, You didn't say anything about gas. The original post did. I got my tiles at Lowe's or Home Depot. Don't remember which. Its a stock item and they're heavier than glass.

And speaking of the VPI 16.5 - Now that I'm on "vacation" again I think I can build one for about $50 in parts - including a sacrificial TT for platter and bearing - using a shop vac for the vacuum suply. That'll be a hell of a lot cheaper than the $550 VPI charges.
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
The commercial flateners are a rip.I have yet to try the put it between glass (with paper sleeve) and think that more weight with bricks or granite is good idea).But know this is you have a nasty heat warp it's not going to work,I had a Lou Donaldson "Blues Walk" that I too cover to concert for Lou to sign.Got home and open shade had produced a nasty 1" heat warp.The tighter (smaller area) of warp and it's depth can be to degree that nothing will work (as that $2K company tells you).Gradual warps that don't 'kick tone arm might work.But set at lowest heat of 200 degrees for wide mild warps and cross fingers.
Chazz
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
jecked out the asylum for own education and found varying heat levels and times.But one thing everyone who had any luck and had been through it was to say 125 to 175 for afst heating stove.Then you wanto SHUT OFF HEAT.Open door for five minutes and let out heat.Residual heat inside should do it.Then let sit for half and hour to forty five minutes.Take glass out and let cool for 12-24 hrs.As one newbie noticed and LPP he cleaned under hot tap[ awter got all flexible so threshold is low.Better to under do it and try again than getting vinyl soup."Excuse me Waiter but what's this Axis Bold As Love doing in my soup?".......
Chazz
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
jecked out the asylum for own education and found varying heat levels and times.But one thing everyone who had any luck and had been through it was to say 125 to 175 for fast heating stove.Then you want to SHUT OFF HEAT.Open door for five minutes and let out heat.Residual heat inside should do it.Then let sit for half and hour to forty five minutes.Take glass out and let cool for 12-24 hrs.As one newbie noticed and LP he cleaned under hot tap[ water got all flexible so threshold is low.Better to under do it and try again than getting vinyl soup."Excuse me Waiter but what's this Axis Bold As Love doing in my soup?".......
Chazz
Post removed 
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