My grandfather taught me another way to do it. You put the record between two pieces of glass and you leave it outside in the sun for about 10 minutes then you take it inside and you let it until it gets cold. It gets perfectly flat and it's much safer than the blow dryer method.
Yes that is one way, but I think you are not 100% sure how hot the shellac is getting where with the hairdryer you can see it actually drop flat and then you can remove the heat. That's my of thinking anyways, but if it works for you all good.
My dad was a 78 dealer (and I am too) and used the glass method as well. You can hone in on "exposure" time by doing systematic tests with junk warped records if you have them to spare. I de-warp 7 or 8 78s at once in the oven. I've restored 50 to perfectly flat tonight in the space of about 3 hours. The hairdryer method is very cool though, ingenious
@@AllMy78s I think your hairdryer method could be especially useful with extremely warped records which may not survive the weight of glass. if you have a lot of de-warps to do though, dialing in the glass method in your oven is super. It's basically effortless and my success rate is close to 100%
That worked a treat. That's a great hobby you have. I collect dead bodies and keep them in the cellar. Sometimes they become warped with age so the hairdryer trick might work a treat on them as well.
Eggy you're doing it all wrong, your supposed to keep them in the loft. The air flow helps reduce warping , although it does pose problems with fluid leakage
I flattened one on my channel back in 2013 using this method that was shaped like a potato chip and it came out great. an old pathe splash that was severely warped. it is amazing how this works. just wish there was a good way to fix cracks or breaks.
Mount the hair dryer on something that will hold it above the disc. Put the disc on a heat-tolerant (such as bare aluminium) turntable platter and turn it under the stream of hot air. If the 'table is belt- or idler- drive, remove the rubber parts first!
Many thanks. I think the hair-dryer method excels all others! The great thing is that it makes it easy to judge how hot the old shellac record is getting! Just touch the disc as you move the hair-dryer around. You want it hot enough to soften the record but not so hot as to melt it in any way. I use the glass top of my induction oven (switched off, of course} as it's flat and it's easy to move the record around whilst checking it for flatness and applying pressure where it's not. Simples! Black Jake of Norwich.
I use another method. I salvaged the glass shelves out of an old fridge freezer we had (I thought I could have a use for them in my greenhouse), and found - after watching an old YT clip they might just be the job for taking the warp out of some of my 78s. Simply place the warped record between two of these pieces of glass and leave in a temperate sun for about 2 hours and it will do the trick up to a point (takes a lot of the warp out - but records aren't flat - they are slightly thicker towards the centre). But it's enough for me - I confess to having a minute wobble left - but at least the headshell stays on track and doesn't jump. I tried this trick in my greenhouse and destroyed the record - so be careful with this one - temperate UK sun only.
Hi John and thanks for the watch, Yes I know of these methods and after careful consideration, I decided that for me, being a bit clumsy and kack handed the best bet was the hairdryer method, this way I am in full control of the heat and can stop the heat as soon as the 78 lays flat... I now put a weight on top and leave it for 30 minutes and always get perfect results... Each to their own, but I now have my own hairdryer and no longer have to pinch the wives and dodge her wrath when she finds it missing and in my shed, lol... Take care my friend, Chris...
Thank you for this very informative video. The visuals really show improvement. Love the shirt as well. I've loved ELO since the mid-70s and the earlier stuff as well.
Cheers, Yes ELO Rock! Always listening to them... I made another video on flattening 78's where I now find that putting a weight on it for about 20 minutes while it cools down is an improvement...
That's certainly simple enough and quite effective. I'd clean the records first really well before attempting that though. The temperature of the air coming out of the hair drier is quite high and if it softens the shellac, well, then I fear it' may be enough to make the dirt become stuck in permanently.
Not sure if it would get that soft to be honest, otherwise you would be getting too hot and distortion of the grooves could happen, but I see your point and not a bad idea to clean the 78 first... Cheers..
@@AllMy78s I would not know but I'd err on the side of caution. The only other idea I've seen for straightening shellacs I think was to leave them in sun. I prefer this one as it's all too easy to forget and leave the record baking too long whereas the hairdryer is much more controllable.
What a marvelous video. I've stored some Elvis Presley 78's in our loft. They look ok, although it does get quite warm up there. It's good to know there's a remedy if they area little out of shape, thank you. Looking forward to searching more of your posts.
Thank you, I'm glad you found my video of use.. As long as the 78s are not stacked to much they should be OK... Elvis 78s can be quite sort after, I sold 5 a few years back for 200 pounds on eBay... Thanks for watching.. 👍🙂
@@AllMy78s thanks again Chris, I'd thought of that but now I'll remember to do it when and if I need to, I'm just getting into 78's and wondered what your thoughts are about buying on ebay ?
@@paulbache3940 Hm, expensive unless you are looking for something in particular... I got lucky with a 3000 job lot that you can find in my earlier vids and I refer to it a lot in other vids.. Best bet is to search charity shops and give them your number to ring you if they get any in, they mainly don't take them, but if you promise to take them of their hands they might help you... Reclaim shops at tidy tips and Facebook market place is a very good source.. Large job lots are the best way, just keep your ear to the ground... I may have a new lot coming in so keep an eye out for that upload... Best of luck on the hunt...
Now that is VERY INTERESTING! I had no idea of this method, I do own a few 78's probably 80 or so all together and I am just thinking now if any of them are warped 🤔🤔
I have an updated video where I put a weight on the record while its cools down, seems to work better... But yes the best way is a hairdryer so you can control the heat... Some say about putting the shellac in an oven, not a good idea I think... Cheers, Chris...
@@AllMy78s Yes I agree, from my experience of putting them in the oven all you get back for your trouble is a fancy fruit bowl lol, I was thinking myself it would be a good idea to put a flat weight on it as it cools to maintain the flat surface
Great advice and presentation, brilliant T shirt (I love ELO!) and a man who sounds a bit like Suggs, likes a shed and drinks Hobgoblin beer. What's there not to like?!
I wonder if the results might be a little bit more assured if a very small amount of weight was set on top of the label area right after you're done heating up the record, just enough to make sure the center of the record is completely bottomed out on the table after heating, and to keep the center from rising back up as it cools off?
Here is another method: Pre- heat the oven to about 200 degrees place record on a metal sheet,make it is flat as well,place in oven for about 6 to 8 seconds or so then let cool down slide on to another flat surfaceto cool completely should do it. I really don't think does the best,yours does, so thanks for the suggestion might try it when I need to
@@AllMy78s ...my method - pre-heat fan oven to 60 degrees, put record in card sleeve and place on a wire shelf in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove record and place immediately on a hard flat surface. Carefully place a small stack of 78s exactly on top and apply medium pressure for a minute or so whilst record is cooling, after which time it will have flattened.
Yes, I have heard of people doing that, I personally prefer the hairdryer as the heat is more controllable, but whatever way suits you, as long as it does the job... Thanks for commenting... Chris...
@@AllMy78s Masterpieces take time to perfect , so 6 weeks extremely well spent I say, I love quirky songs and that certainly fits the bill. I subbed ur channel ofc!
Hey, any ideas for cracks? I have a really rare Christmas 78 that you really can't find anymore that has a really small crack at the beginning. It seems like something so little would be fixable but I don't know, I've searched everywhere and can't find any place that can do anything. Since you're the king of 78's I was wondering if you have any ideas.
I'm afraid there is not really a way to repair it... Should still be playable on a gramophone player but I would not play on a record player as it will damage your stylus... I am so not king of the 78s, lol... Thank you...
I repaired a 78 that had completely broken --- one part still had the entire label and the other was like a huge bite taken out of the first. I assembled the pieces under a microscope to align the grooves and applied a tiny bit of super glue to hold them together. After a day and a half or so, I first played the disc with a sturdy ceramic cartridge to make sure it was aligned, then I used my usual magnetic cart with 2.7 mil stylus to copy it to tape and CD. Both sides were completely playable, but of course there were loud pops from the join lines.
Glad you were able to fix it so it could play! What would be the solution for repairing a vinyl LP? (I'm too busy to google it)... haha. You made a 3rd YT channel?
George McVlog Yes it's not a secret, just thought this is to boring for my other channels.. Cheers for viewing mate, but no need to if it sends you to sleep.. ;) Vinyl is different a little more complicated.. Will show you one day, but not a job most would try...
Good info. I still haven't had a moment to look for a 78 player in the office... I'll look now while on my lunch break. The answer is... Nope. None, despite having some 78 records! (But no one listens to them). ;)
Sorry bud for being so late, I had no notification on your comment... The tracking on the LP120 is crap mate, it does not work and as far as I can see is there for show. As far as 78s go not really needed... My vinyl is mainly OK but, older decks are better...
@@AllMy78s I used to use the stock N78S stylus that has 3g limit on it, I since replaced it with Pfansthiel and EVG ones based on SC35C spec that can track to 5g, however less hill jumps on those 2" long warps, I also replaced the anti-skate spring as before poorly stamped inner circles were letting the needle run on the the label. I also have a Tech Mk4 that I'll put in service when I replace the transformer with a 240v one, the LP120 has a motor noise that is noticeable on the modern DMM vinyl, The only 78 record I heard motor noise on is Lark Ascending, it sounds like a flat car tyre doing 20 MPH (Q what did you mean by tracking on LP120 is crap - the anti-skate or the tonearm bearing)
That's a wee bit quicker than my method - Wait patiently for a sunny day, put record between two sheets of glass, place on the front lawn and invite neighbours to sit around it. Better than watching paint dry..
It's a kitchen cutting stone, looks like marble this one, but ideal for this job... I do recommend it and also put several 78s or another weight of some sort on top to keep it flat when cooling, I found this works better... I personally believe that the hair dryer method is more controllable so you dont over heat and destroy the record... Thanks for watching, Chris...
@@AllMy78s Thank you! All my 78 shellacs have a loud noise that sounds like bacon frying. Any idea on what causes that? Anything I can do to eliminate it?
@@brightonmusic That is just worn 78's, nothing you can do apart from cleaning them and maybe give them a very light coating of beeswax if using a gramophone, also a BCN needle will help too and if recording, record from inside the horn if poss, I do a double mic recording on mine, then sync and balance to quite down surface noise but still keep that unique sound of the gramophone...
@@AllMy78s Thank you for this good information. I only have a 1970 Garrard TT with a 3.0 mil stylus. I still have not cleaned them but will do that to see if it helps.
@@brightonmusic Dont wax them if playing on a deck, only for gramophones... Also record decks can pick out all the sharp surface noise and can sound awful as you say, like frying bacon... When you can invest in a portable gramophone and search out for cleaner looking 78s, not easy but I have some that are in near mint condition, the fun is also in the hunt.. Happy collecting...
I keep all my 78's I don't sell and most 78s pre-1940 should be ok with one play I would have thought, its continuous playing with a steel needle that does most the damage and if I owned a particularly rare 78 I would not play it on a gramophone... I have normal record players I also use for playing a lot of my 78's... But as I say, I don't sell and these 78s of mine and all are very common and not rare... I am also looking into non - steel needles just ordered some plastic ones yesterday... Sorry for the late reply have a great day... :)
@@AllMy78s I hear that non steel needles such as wood (because of friction heat) can leave a residue which would be worse for your records than a steel needle, so be careful exploring plastic. If you use soft tone needles and throw away after you play one side then you should be fine for many many plays without record damage, afterall that's what these records are designed for!
@@coronetv000 Yeah I will bear that in mind about the wood needles... I always use soft tone needles best to record with too I think.. I prefer the sound from a gramophone apart from 50s 78s they are different and dont suit at all... But i have a vintage record player that once sorted will be sharing the load... :)
