Collecting enough vinyl records often results in acquiring a few warped albums that do not play correctly. These issues may arise from storing them improperly, such as leaving them in direct sunlight, not storing them flat, or perhaps purchasing an old, wobbly rarity at a bargain price with the intention of restoring it.
Setting up a turntable or selecting the right player can be challenging, and fixing a warped record without specialized equipment and knowledge has historically been too difficult for most people. However, Pro-Ject, known for its dedication to turntables, intends to address this issue. The company has introduced preorders for the Flatten It, its first vinyl flattening machine. This robust piece of aluminum equipment features two 12-inch hot plates designed to heat and press vinyl records back into their original shape.
The Flatten It employs a precise thermostat to achieve the optimal temperature to rectify vinyl warping. After approximately an hour of heating, the device maintains a temperature of 136.4 degrees Fahrenheit (58 degrees Celsius) and gently smooths out any imperfections. The temperature fluctuates by just two degrees, and after two hours, the machine cools down to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), allowing the safe removal of the record.
The duration required to press a record depends on its thickness; thicker 180-gram pressings will take longer than the more flexible Dynaflex records, which are less prone to warping. Before utilizing the Flatten It on a prized collection of warped ’90s white labels, it is advisable to test it on less valuable records.
