Hi Joe - Thanks for reviewing the Record Pi! Your replacement case should've arrived today. Sorry about that bum zipper. Looks like you had success with this first record. We noticed a few things that will help you fix the next few in less time, and probably also get even flatter results. The black side of the bolt should be on the bottom of the device (red plate), and the wingnut should be on the top (black plate). Just leave the bolt in the bottom red plate in place - no need to remove. This will make it much easier to line up the record in the device because you just drop the record onto the bolt like a turntable spindle. This also ensures the device lays flat while baking. The more important point to note is that the device should go inside the pocket with the velcro within the case. Basically the same place the device arrived in shipment when you opened. The integrated heating elements are contained within that pocket specifically, so when the device is in the pocket both sides of device plates will evenly get heat. The way you have it in the video sitting on top of the pocket, all the heat is coming through the bottom plate only. Feel free to reach out with any questions! Happy holidays and happy flattening! Mitch @ Record Pi.
Thanks, Mitch! I just emailed you back, but for the benefit of others who might be reading: Yes, I'm an idiot (haha) who didn't realize the red plate was supposed to go back into the velcroed compartment inside the bag. I figured this out the day after I shot the video, and I'll be shooting a follow-up video soon, where I'll discuss it further. I'm sure I made it much harder on myself (and the Record Pi itself!) Also, I did indeed receive a replacement bag today that fixes the stuck zipper. Hats off to Mitch and Record Pi for excellent service!
I have the Vinyl Flat. It mostly works when I don't get too bold on my initial time because of my impatience. It requires attention too. It's a hard lesson when my carelessness leads to a catastrophic failure on a cherished new record! I didn't know about the Record Pi. It must be a newer product. Thank you for sharing your experience with it. I like the concept and it seems to be a clear improvement in every way over the Vinyl Flat! It's a complete kit (nothing extra to buy as with the Vinyl Flat) which has automation and even remote control from your smart phone! Sounds like a killer product! Sounds like the price is right also! Again thank you for sharing!
I am in some vinyl collector rooms on Facebook. People are always asking how to fix warped records! I won't mention the many different ways suggested haha. This seems to be the answer to that question!
I have the Vinyl Flat, here at my record store in Tulsa, Oil Capital Vinyl, which I purchased about two years ago. I've had varying success, as I've tried and used many different techniques with the supplied felt rings, as well as some other discs I've made myself. The biggest problem I've had with the Vinyl Flat, is it only has 3 heat settings, Low, Medium, and High. Low is worthless, Medium usually works, but might take 10-12 hours or multiple sessions, and High will destroy a record if left on for more than 2 hours.
I own the vinyl flat system. If a record is wrapped because it was badly stored or because of a to tight shrink-wrap this system can help as the surface of the record is still intact. However if the record has been wrapped because of heat source those are hopless because the surface is likely to have been deformed and will stay that way. Vinyl flat and Vinyl pi are similar and have similar processes. Both are very long but it okay as too much heat can also ruin your record. The higher the heat the faster it will flatten it but the higher the risk of damaging the grooves permanently. I then suggest caution and mostly patience when using them. If you do so you can salvage records wich couldn't be played.
In another UA-cam vid in the comments, I did an experiment with a baking oven, glass plates, parchment paper, and weights. What I found was that taking out warps is a 'depends' proposition. Some warps if you look at them closely have a crease...like a strongman just pinched and tweaked a portion of your record. These kinds of anomalies are going to be permanent, I'm afraid. But other milder warps without a crease respond really well to heat treatment. Unfortunately, most modern electronic stoves only go down to about 170F which IMO is a bit too hot. You can work with that, but you need to be careful of your time in the oven. It's doable but tricky. Better to have a controlled heat of around 120F-140F. It was just a matter of time before someone came up with a gizmo to do this....lol.
When I was young I used to get two heavy pieces of flat tempered glass and sandwich the record between them in its protective plastic jacket and leave it out in the sun all day. Used to work really well. Cost bugger all too ;)
I do the same thing but only leave it out in the sun for 3 hours. I've found any longer and you damage the record. Once the glass and record have been outside long enough, I bring inside and set something heavy, like a bbq propane tank on it for 48 hours to cool and set. I've flattened lots of records except one that was warped on the edge.
Currently finding 7 out of 10 brand new records that I buy are warped to some degree. Having to take them back -- which is a real drag, as I just want to enjoy getting them and playing them. And I'm then getting replacements that are also warped. We're talking whole batches -- even remasters from Abbey Road. This can happen when fresh out of the press vinyl is put still warm into record sleeves, and then poly wrapped too tightly -- creating the warping. Or they are piling them up horizontally in the warehouse. So weight is warping them. Others have pressing faults, or are dirty and gritty, or are full of paper dust from being stuck into plain paper sleeves. There is a huge quality control problem -- and mass production speeds are driving it. :0/
I agree. More than half the new records I've purchased over the last couple of years have been warped. I ordered a copy of Older from Amazon and crossed my fingers. Warped. Had to send it back. Bought a copy of the new Tears for Fears from Target. Warped. Bought a copy of Stevie Nick's hits from Walmart. Warperd. It's so frustrating especially when they cost $25-$30. I just got a couple of more records from Amazon as gifts, but I haven't done the warp test yet. One of them however was full of hairline scratches brand new out of the packaging. Never experienced this ever back in the 70s and 80s. At worst there may be a record that skipped from time to time.
@@bsquared4604 @bsquared4604 So I'm in the UK... Interesting that it's the same story where you are. Those hairline scratches are all over new records. You don't see them unless you shine something like an LED torch on a record and then it looks as if they've been kicked along the floor. The only exception may be vinyl coming out of Abbey Road (Beatles, etc). Some of the half speed remasters -- Siouxsie and The Banshees 'Kaleidoscope' on the Polydor label are superb. Maybe what we have to do when buying new is follow certain labels, and with anything else buy mint original pressings. :0)
It's definitely an investment. I don't buy a ton of new vinyl, but I did pick up a reissue of Prince's 1999 recently, and yes, the first disc is slightly warped right out of the gate. Not enough to affect playback, but still, the lack of quality control is nuts.
Hi Joe - Thanks for reviewing the Record Pi! Your replacement case should've arrived today. Sorry about that bum zipper. Looks like you had success with this first record. We noticed a few things that will help you fix the next few in less time, and probably also get even flatter results.
The black side of the bolt should be on the bottom of the device (red plate), and the wingnut should be on the top (black plate). Just leave the bolt in the bottom red plate in place - no need to remove. This will make it much easier to line up the record in the device because you just drop the record onto the bolt like a turntable spindle. This also ensures the device lays flat while baking.
The more important point to note is that the device should go inside the pocket with the velcro within the case. Basically the same place the device arrived in shipment when you opened. The integrated heating elements are contained within that pocket specifically, so when the device is in the pocket both sides of device plates will evenly get heat. The way you have it in the video sitting on top of the pocket, all the heat is coming through the bottom plate only. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Happy holidays and happy flattening! Mitch @ Record Pi.
Thanks, Mitch! I just emailed you back, but for the benefit of others who might be reading: Yes, I'm an idiot (haha) who didn't realize the red plate was supposed to go back into the velcroed compartment inside the bag. I figured this out the day after I shot the video, and I'll be shooting a follow-up video soon, where I'll discuss it further. I'm sure I made it much harder on myself (and the Record Pi itself!)
Also, I did indeed receive a replacement bag today that fixes the stuck zipper. Hats off to Mitch and Record Pi for excellent service!
It's a success to me. Takes time. Experimentation. But will make a record less warped. You did good. Excellent purchase.
I have the Vinyl Flat. It mostly works when I don't get too bold on my initial time because of my impatience. It requires attention too. It's a hard lesson when my carelessness leads to a catastrophic failure on a cherished new record! I didn't know about the Record Pi. It must be a newer product. Thank you for sharing your experience with it. I like the concept and it seems to be a clear improvement in every way over the Vinyl Flat! It's a complete kit (nothing extra to buy as with the Vinyl Flat) which has automation and even remote control from your smart phone! Sounds like a killer product! Sounds like the price is right also! Again thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching, and sharing your experience with the Vinyl Flat!
Really looking forward to follow up videos for this device
Thank you! I'm working on part 2 right now.
What are your best strategies for fixing warped records? Have you had luck with the Record Pi or any of its competitors?
I am in some vinyl collector rooms on Facebook. People are always asking how to fix warped records! I won't mention the many different ways suggested haha. This seems to be the answer to that question!
I have the Vinyl Flat, here at my record store in Tulsa, Oil Capital Vinyl, which I purchased about two years ago. I've had varying success, as I've tried and used many different techniques with the supplied felt rings, as well as some other discs I've made myself. The biggest problem I've had with the Vinyl Flat, is it only has 3 heat settings, Low, Medium, and High. Low is worthless, Medium usually works, but might take 10-12 hours or multiple sessions, and High will destroy a record if left on for more than 2 hours.
I own the vinyl flat system. If a record is wrapped because it was badly stored or because of a to tight shrink-wrap this system can help as the surface of the record is still intact. However if the record has been wrapped because of heat source those are hopless because the surface is likely to have been deformed and will stay that way. Vinyl flat and Vinyl pi are similar and have similar processes. Both are very long but it okay as too much heat can also ruin your record. The higher the heat the faster it will flatten it but the higher the risk of damaging the grooves permanently. I then suggest caution and mostly patience when using them. If you do so you can salvage records wich couldn't be played.
Used a VinylFlat for years. Usually 8hrs. works. Older albums and 180gm records are far more difficult to get flat.
This is really interesting. And awesome is that company commented on your video.
mr. FInglish (Bäd English Recs)
In another UA-cam vid in the comments, I did an experiment with a baking oven, glass plates, parchment paper, and weights. What I found was that taking out warps is a 'depends' proposition. Some warps if you look at them closely have a crease...like a strongman just pinched and tweaked a portion of your record. These kinds of anomalies are going to be permanent, I'm afraid. But other milder warps without a crease respond really well to heat treatment. Unfortunately, most modern electronic stoves only go down to about 170F which IMO is a bit too hot. You can work with that, but you need to be careful of your time in the oven. It's doable but tricky. Better to have a controlled heat of around 120F-140F. It was just a matter of time before someone came up with a gizmo to do this....lol.
When I was young I used to get two heavy pieces of flat tempered glass and sandwich the record between them in its protective plastic jacket and leave it out in the sun all day. Used to work really well. Cost bugger all too ;)
great idea , I use a low temperature oven set to 45 degree C , does the same
I do the same thing but only leave it out in the sun for 3 hours. I've found any longer and you damage the record. Once the glass and record have been outside long enough, I bring inside and set something heavy, like a bbq propane tank on it for 48 hours to cool and set. I've flattened lots of records except one that was warped on the edge.
Thanks for sharing.
Warped vinyl is the biggest problem with new vinyl today, and it's wayyy too common.
This might not make sense for a collector, but for a record store this is probably a decent investment.
I think it needs a bit more heat, and probably more even pressure over the whole record.
Currently finding 7 out of 10 brand new records that I buy are warped to some degree. Having to take them back -- which is a real drag, as I just want to enjoy getting them and playing them. And I'm then getting replacements that are also warped. We're talking whole batches -- even remasters from Abbey Road.
This can happen when fresh out of the press vinyl is put still warm into record sleeves, and then poly wrapped too tightly -- creating the warping. Or they are piling them up horizontally in the warehouse. So weight is warping them. Others have pressing faults, or are dirty and gritty, or are full of paper dust from being stuck into plain paper sleeves.
There is a huge quality control problem -- and mass production speeds are driving it. :0/
Absolutely accurate. I'm seeing this a lot too, which is why I don't buy much new vinyl.
I agree. More than half the new records I've purchased over the last couple of years have been warped. I ordered a copy of Older from Amazon and crossed my fingers. Warped. Had to send it back. Bought a copy of the new Tears for Fears from Target. Warped. Bought a copy of Stevie Nick's hits from Walmart. Warperd. It's so frustrating especially when they cost $25-$30. I just got a couple of more records from Amazon as gifts, but I haven't done the warp test yet. One of them however was full of hairline scratches brand new out of the packaging. Never experienced this ever back in the 70s and 80s. At worst there may be a record that skipped from time to time.
@@bsquared4604 Agreed. I blame the weight of 180g vinyl, overtight shrinkwrap, and too many records packed in one box during shipping.
@@bsquared4604 @bsquared4604 So I'm in the UK... Interesting that it's the same story where you are. Those hairline scratches are all over new records. You don't see them unless you shine something like an LED torch on a record and then it looks as if they've been kicked along the floor. The only exception may be vinyl coming out of Abbey Road (Beatles, etc). Some of the half speed remasters -- Siouxsie and The Banshees 'Kaleidoscope' on the Polydor label are superb. Maybe what we have to do when buying new is follow certain labels, and with anything else buy mint original pressings. :0)
more than 1/2 of the NEW records I buy are warped. I'd buy one of these if it weren't so pricey.
It's definitely an investment. I don't buy a ton of new vinyl, but I did pick up a reissue of Prince's 1999 recently, and yes, the first disc is slightly warped right out of the gate. Not enough to affect playback, but still, the lack of quality control is nuts.
warped 45 is rare
I just got one. It's going to be my next Record Pi video.