coasters made from vinyl records

[tanderson]

I recently came across some coasters made from the label part of vinyl records. Since I have an extensive collection of old, unplayable records I thought this would be a great way to re-enjoy them. Problem is, I cant
figure out how to cut out the label portion.
Anyone have any suggestion?

[fenestrelle]

i'm interested in this too, for xmas presents among other things. i bought a set as a gift some months ago, but i'd like to be able to customize the records a bit, and also it'd be loads cheaper.

i'm wondering if you can heat up the record a bit a la record bowls and then cut around the label with an exacto?

any veteran record bowl makers wanna chime in?

[tanderson]

I did try that method and maybe I didnt heat the record enough, or my exacto wasnt sharp enough, also, the record cooled off so quickly that it didn't work.
I may try again and use some shears this time.
Still, I would like to see if there's an easier way.

[redheadedali]

I've actually been thinking of doing something similar with old CDs, but I have one question: what do you do about the hole in the middle? Doesn't the moisture collect there and get on whatever surface you're trying to protect? It could be that I'm just being dense (Lord knows it wouldn't be the first time), but that has kind of perplexed me.

Alison
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[CraftinFool]

I don't tend to play with fire or heated tools so somebody please let me know if this is a dangerous suggestion -

but would it be possible to use a heating tool - like a wood burner or embossing tool - to heat up just around the label part so you could then slice it out?

[tanderson]

Once the "coasters" are cut out I plan to laminate or coat them. The other idea was to use resin to fill the hole.

I don't have any heat tools, but that is a good idea, so guess I'll find someone that does. It was suggested also to try a glass cutter. Which
made me remember back in the 70's the kits that you could make glasses and vases out of wine bottles. My mom had one of those. Do they still sell something like that?

[zisforzillah]

[dana]

i searched and found this post. has anyone had any luck creating these coasters?
thanks

[stella]

i've never done it, but i would try sawing the labels out with a hacksaw and fine blade.

sawing Plexi is a royal pain in the ass, and i don't know if records would be different. they're made of different plastic. the problem with plexiglass is that the saw heats the kerf, and the little plastic shreds melt onto the saw blade. if you try sawing a record and that happens, try sawing slowly with light pressure and waxing the saw blade frequently.

if anyone tries this, i'd like to know if it works!

[buttonarcade]

Try heating the record in the oven for a few minutes at 175*. When the record becomes rubbery, cut the circle out with scissors. You can reheat the record if it cools. =)

[Athos]

buttonarcade, have you actually cut records with scissors? i'm so curious if it works.

i cut several records to make journals. i heated them first, and it was AWFUL - i will never do it again, and would not recommend that method. in addition to being dangerous (the plastic breaks and sends shards everywhere, the fumes given off by melting records are unpleasant if not toxic) it's very tough on your wrists. i used an extremely sharp knife to score the records repeatedly, and it was just such a hassle.

not to mention that the edges were so sharp i had to sand them and eventually cover them with binding tape to be safe.

i'm sorry to be so discouraging, but it was really a bad experience. there's better designs out there. (and if it matters, i'm a very experienced crafter - i'm no stranger to burns and cuts in the line of duty, so it's not as if i was chickening out of hard work).

[buttonarcade]

[knittedanarchy]

You can get attachments for your drill that act as a saw for drilling out large holes in things like holes for doorknobs, etc. Try securing the record to a block of wood and then drill through the record. Does that make sense?

[Morgan]

Yes, I've cut records, too, after heating them in the oven. I didn't experience any fumes whatsoever, so maybe you were cooking them on too high a heat Athos??? Or left them in too long? It was totally easy to cut them. I was trying to make a record journal, & I used a paper cutter, & then tried scissors. Both worked, but I couldn't keep the record flat since it was heated, so it didn't turn out well. But that's not an issue for the coasters. The suggestion about backing them with cork is *genius*, I think. That way they'll stay put more, too, won't scratch any furniture, & the hole will be blocked.
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[decayedsea]

When I was quite a bit younger I made CD coasters. I used various things for the center, including vellum and a plastic gift bag. I used two cds, spray painted what would be the top and bottom, put the plastic material between the two and apoxied it all together.