Dilemma! Can A Crack Be Fixed?

[Northern Soul Uk]

Hi y'awll

Just realised that one of my 7"s has a crack on the run in.

It clicks over it but plays ok after and doesn't jump.

Is there any way that anyone knows or has heard of, that can stop it

from cracking any further or virtually fix the crack?

Thanks for any help.

[boba]

there are ways to prevent the crack from progressing further. but does it snap back in in a way that the crack is temporarily not visible? put the record on the turntable so it's flat, push in at the point of the crack. Do the grooves line up so there is no click when playing, or is it cracked in such a way that that it's out of shape and that can't happen?

[Northern Soul Uk]

there are ways to prevent the crack from progressing further. but does it snap back in in a way that the crack is temporarily not visible? put the record on the turntable so it's flat, push in at the point of the crack. Do the grooves line up so there is no click when playing, or is it cracked in such a way that that it's out of shape and that can't happen?

Hi and thanks for the reply. Yes it is a tiny crack and can be lined up so as not to be too visible, but still clicks when playing.

[boba]

Hi and thanks for the reply. Yes it is a tiny crack and can be lined up so as not to be too visible, but still clicks when playing.

if you can't snap it in perfectly (which is unusual, you did push on the crack while it was on the platter right?) I would avoid playing with it more and just be careful.

[Northern Soul Uk]

I pushed the crack on a perfectly flat glass table top, it id click into place ok, but just a bit worried about it going any further.

I have heard that there are ways but not how it's done.

Thanks for the help anyway.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Steve Luigi

[boba]

I pushed the crack on a perfectly flat glass table top, it id click into place ok, but just a bit worried about it going any further.

I have heard that there are ways but not how it's done.

Thanks for the help anyway.

you can do things to stabilize it. most involve burning the edge of the record in different ways so the vinyl melts together. i'm just saying i would only do so if it fits perfectly in place because otherwise you are securing something that isn't straight anyways.

[Northern Soul Uk]

you can do things to stabilize it. most involve burning the edge of the record in different ways so the vinyl melts together. i'm just saying i would only do so if it fits perfectly in place because otherwise you are securing something that isn't straight anyways.

Yes I understand that it would have to be perfectly aligned before attempting anything like that.

How would you acheive the burning process? a cigarette end maybe, just on the edge where the crack is?

Edited November 3, 2012 by Steve Luigi

[boba]

Yes I understand that it would have to be perfectly aligned before attempting anything like that.

How would you acheive the burning process? a cigarette end maybe, just on the edge where the crack is?

I've heard people say to heat up a needle and burn like an x in to the crack. i was never successful with that, i heat up a fork on the stove and lightly push the fork into the edge of the crack. it creates a tiny dent which you can actually shape back if you care by then using the fork on the edges of the record. but that seems to weaken the hold.

i recently got a record that I think had a fixed crack, it was impressive technique. the person clearly used a needle to burn three tiny lines together on each side in the run in groove. it was super strong.

[Steve Myers]

I have a couple of records that have cracks, might have a go at this.......

[soulsalmon]

Try a needle pointed soldering iron on the run in,done this a few times with good results

[Northern Soul Uk]

I would imagine that the burning process would have to be done on the other side of the record and not the one you want to play??

[boba]

I would imagine that the burning process would have to be done on the other side of the record and not the one you want to play??

no, neither side of the record, I do it on the edge.

[Marc Forrest]

I wouldnt dare to experience with heat on vinyl. not saying it wont work, just wouldnt like to see myself causing even worse damage to the record. If you dont care to much for the records flipside my (tested and approved ;) method is to tape the flipside. If you do it accurate you wont hear any clicks and also stabilize the vinyl to prevent the crack form getting bigger.

[Fourmintsover]

Cracked a record a week ago on the runout, crack was perfectly aligned with center hole circle.... good thing it was a cheapie.

[boba]

I wouldnt dare to experience with heat on vinyl. not saying it wont work, just wouldnt like to see myself causing even worse damage to the record. If you dont care to much for the records flipside my (tested and approved ;) method is to tape the flipside. If you do it accurate you wont hear any clicks and also stabilize the vinyl to prevent the crack form getting bigger.

you can practice on garbage records before you try it on expensive ones.

[Guest Andy Carling]

I have repaired cracked records, but my worry is whether playing a cracked record would damage the stylus on my record player.

Andy

[boba]

I have repaired cracked records, but my worry is whether playing a cracked record would damage the stylus on my record player.

Andy

if it is a tight crack where you can't hear anything, then no. otherwise you could compare it to playing a scratched record, it probably does cause wear on your needle.

[Marc Forrest]

true. still I will continue with the method of taping.

[Cover-up]

If you're worried about your needle, try gluing it but with the right hand side of the crack very slightly higher. So as you play it the needle is always bumping down over the crack. And not upwards, otherwise you will knacker your needle...

[Mace]

Can't remember who it was (poss Nick Brown?), but some-one had a copy of Ray Pollard 'This Time' that was broken into 3 pieces so he glued the 3 pieces on top of another worthless 45 and it pretty sure it played fine....

[Dave West]

Had a cheapie 45 with crack about 1" long but would click back into place so put 2 spots of superglue on other side as wasnt bothered about that side and after it dried record played fine.

Dave

[boba]

Can't remember who it was (poss Nick Brown?), but some-one had a copy of Ray Pollard 'This Time' that was broken into 3 pieces so he glued the 3 pieces on top of another worthless 45 and it pretty sure it played fine....

it was probably hard to play the other side though

[Mr Smithy]

i recently got a record that I think had a fixed crack, it was impressive technique. the person clearly used a needle to burn three tiny lines together on each side in the run in groove. it was super strong.

I'd like to see that, any chance of a picture Bob?

[boba]

I'd like to see that, any chance of a picture Bob?

I sold it. I might still have scans of it, I have to look.

[Markw]

it was probably hard to play the other side though

Not at all, really easy to play the other side, just the wrong other side..........

[Mr Smithy]

I'd be interested if you could find it, sounds creative.

[Tony Smith]

Can't remember who it was (poss Nick Brown?), but some-one had a copy of Ray Pollard 'This Time' that was broken into 3 pieces so he glued the 3 pieces on top of another worthless 45 and it pretty sure it played fine....

Los Chansonettes, cracked in 2, glued onto a Sonday 45 (Constellations? you could hear the tic as it played :thumbsup:He got it from Keb Edited November 9, 2012 by Tony Smith