Owen Y Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Having suffered a depressing experience recently with warped new records, I'm actually tempted by this not inexpensive product - Vinyl Flat (what happened to the URL link button in the Visual edit box?) Unfortunately, you're probably best to also shell out for the Groovy Pouch product. In total, it probably does solve the problem of the old 2-sheets-of-glass-in-the-sun method, ie. control of temperature (to avoid ruining your record).
kiwizig Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I have one and can recommend it and yes it is best to get the groovy pouch as it controls the temp better than your oven.
Owen Y Posted January 28, 2014 Author Posted January 28, 2014 Hi Kiwizig... (i) I understand that shipping is costly due to weight? (ii) Does it work OK on only mildly warped records? Do any local shops offer a flattening service...like this Sydney store?
Guest Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I investigated this a while ago and shipping brought the cost to US$256 for the pouch and vinyl flat (US$86 postage). As I only have a few warped LPs, and there were initial reports of marks being left on the record surface with the hard polymer insert (now fixed with a felt? like material instead), I passed.
kiwizig Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I have only used it a couple of times so far and had good results, no marks left on the record. Mildly warped records need less time in the heating pouch. I bought mine when it was on special around Christmas time.
Owen Y Posted January 28, 2014 Author Posted January 28, 2014 OK thks chaps - looks like watch for Xmas promotions then. And maybe a group buy? (Although weight will mean that postage will likely go up pro rata, but at some stage Fedex may become economical. I'm guessing the thing weighs ~5kg... kiwizig?) I see that our Samsung oven goes way down to 40deg(!), so may be able to forego the Groovy Pouch.) See also this guy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZAScU584ZA I see that some users employ an alarm clock as timing seems to be the critical factor. (Aside from temperature.)
paulsaints1553552770 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I'm interested in an economical solution. Over the weekend I had a fail. Place in the sun, in order from bottom to top, one bamboo cutting board, one mildly bent LP, one paper towel for protection, one aluminum cooking tray (to trap the heat of the sun) and two heavy concrete blocks. Even with the occasional addition of my full weight the end result after 6 hours was one completely unchanged warped LP . What about a shared system? Rent it out to recover costs. It's the sort of thing you might use intensely for a couple of weeks and then not again for a couple of years.
kiwizig Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Owen about 4.2 kgs and you could always get it shipped to your youshop address it might work out cheaper.
Beeman Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 This could be just the thing for cooking my Studio Master Tapes that have the dreaded "shed squeak". I need a constant 100F for 12 - 24 hours. I wonder if the velcro was left open whether that would be a maintainable temp. I would be happy to rent the pouch & do some trials if anyone was prepared to lend me one.
Owen Y Posted January 29, 2014 Author Posted January 29, 2014 Owen about 4.2 kgs and you could always get it shipped to your youshop address it might work out cheaper.OK - Youshop is NZD60 (5kg) or NZD108 (10kg). Plus you add USD11 USPS from TX to OR. I'd tend to go for a Fedex 10kg box @ ~NZD125 to the door (for say 2 Vinyl Flats). Thoughts only! beeman - a modern fan oven and a n accurate chef's thermometer might be the go for you.
Beeman Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 beeman – a modern fan oven and a n accurate chef’s thermometer might be the go for you. yes if I had a modern fan oven
Guest Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 I’m interested in an economical solution. Over the weekend I had a fail. Place in the sun, in order from bottom to top, one bamboo cutting board, one mildly bent LP, one paper towel for protection, one aluminum cooking tray (to trap the heat of the sun) and two heavy concrete blocks. Even with the occasional addition of my full weight the end result after 6 hours was one completely unchanged warped LP . What about a shared system? Rent it out to recover costs. It’s the sort of thing you might use intensely for a couple of weeks and then not again for a couple of years. This thread reminded me of some warped LPs that I have had sitting under granite slabs since November. So I've just had a look at them and the lightweight LPs are pretty damn flat but the thicker ones probably have a few more months to go (I've turned them over and put them back under the weights).
Guest Guest Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Well here goes--I've tried couple of times to post since the new format and got "error not found etc" so hope all OK now maybe I have one of these-- they are OK but a bit Heath Robinson--I've found that you must be careful with different Lps types-I suggest looking at the Furutech flattener site--it lists some cautions re Vinyl weights /ages /etc--interestingly Sheffield's are a no no for the flatteners. I use the pouch system on thinner old LPs-1 to 1 and half hours is max--I over cooked one to 2hours and stuffed the album so tread carefully bear in mind it will NOT do humps in the LP but full wave warp is it's target-so if you have a"pressing hump" rather than a warp per se-- you will be disappointed . At it's price point its fair--the Furutech while the best is pricey. Des
Guest itwasonly$60luv Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 About 10 years ago i went into the local glass shop and ordered two squares of plate glass, 1/2" thick. Place the record between them leave in the sun - 1 day summer, four days winter. No additional weights, don't overdo the time in the sun, and only remove it night when cool. Works on about 80% of the warps I have had over the years.
Owen Y Posted February 1, 2014 Author Posted February 1, 2014 The trick with the heating vinyl process, is control of temperature. The glass-in-sun method can work, but I've wrecked one vinyl using that method, when it got too hot!. I'd say using a good oven or something like the Groovy Pouch gives you control - of heat and time.
Guest itwasonly$60luv Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 The only vinyl I ruined with the two sheets of glass method was when I forgot about it for about five days in summer, and it was ruined - but as it was a Rod Stewart that I picked up in a collection I bought, no real loss. The trick is to put the glass somewhere where you can see it often and remove it when its dark and cooled down. Now I look at where I have my glass sheets its probably in direct sun for about 3 hours a day.
Guest Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 Taking advantage of the "free" postage (carry on luggage), I've finally got one of these with the Groovy pouch. Mixed results so far. But then I've only tried it on really badly warped lps. Seems like the temperature of the Groovy pouch should reach either 55 degrees C or 65 degrees C (depending on version), but mine only reaches 47 degrees, which is close enough to the favoured 50 degrees C. But this does mean that the recommended times in the accompanying literature are nowhere near those stated. So many variables, eg. vinyl thickness, temperature, time, vinyl composition, degree/type of warping. Kiwizig, what temp does yours get to?
kiwizig Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 My groovy pouch (the old version) has a problem and sometimes it is not heating up so I am going to buy a new one at some stage. I have no idea what temp it was getting to but when it was working fine I seemed to get best results around the 4 hour mark.
Owen Y Posted July 12, 2014 Author Posted July 12, 2014 Cliff - did purchase from a retailer or direct from the manuf?
Guest Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 Direct from VinylFlat. Its disappointing that the pouch is not working to the proper temperature. But to John's credit, as soon as I let him know about the problem he's airmailing a new pouch to NZ. Great after sales service.
Guest Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 New pouch has arrived but it only gets to about the same temperature. Have not heard from John since, apart from querying how I take my temps. Make your own conclusions...which is a shame, as if it actually reached 65 degrees then I can see the pouch as being a worthwhile addition.
Guest Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 I have a calibrated digital thermometer which is place against the vinylflat and inside of the pouch. I also have put the thermometer in an empty pouch. Also, I've used a glass reference thermometer, which gave similar results to the calibrated digital thermometer, placed inside the pouch for a couple of days. Mean temps where about 47 degrees C, with a max of 51 degrees. But one pouch averaged only 42 degrees.
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