I've never done records, but being a photographer I've worked extensively with dry mount presses which are intended for mounting and flattening prints. They use heat around and can be adjusted through a range of around 150-275 degrees as I recall. Most important though, and no one has yet mentioned this, is that when removed from heat the object you are trying to make flatter needs to be put under a flat weight while it is cooling down or that change in temperature will cause it to curve even more. At least this is true with paper-based material. We would use a steel platen to weigh down prints and allow them to cool. I don't know if that is as necessary with a plastic record, but regardless, I wonder if anyone's used an old dry-mount press to accomplish the same thing? They are relatively inexpensive on the used market in the size necessary for an LP. There is a manufactured paper specifically for use in a dry mount press called Seal Release Paper which is made to endure repeated heating and never stick to the surface of the print or get stuck on dry mount adhesive. I would suggest using that paper between the records and the steel platen of the press and of the cooling / flattening platen. This is all speculation, mind you - but I'd bet it would be pretty effective.
what temperature setting for how long?
I've bought a few lp's on ebay, with mostly bad results, but thought this one was more interesting than most. I bought a "sealed" lp of Chopin polonaises from christofori 383, which came pretty warped. I told him about the problem. He responded the same day, saying that (1) since it was sealed he could not know it was warped (seems reasonable) and (2) I should put it in an oven set low for a few minutes (did not say how low or for how long - I guess these recipes necessarily vary according to the strength of the ingredients). My question is what temperature setting for how long do you recommend for Chopin, and how many times do you baste?
- ...
- 8 posts total
- 8 posts total