Turning Busted, Broken, Cracked 78 rpm Records Into Victrola Veneer-Saving Coasters

It happens, you're digging through stacks of old 78 rpm records and you come across one with a cavernous crack or has a huge chip taken out of it. These things are fragile, like glass! I always hated just chucking them in the trash. It seemed like a waste. So I found a way to preserve the label and the memories by turning them into drink coasters to leave on my coffee table or on my Victrolas so that folks won't leave water spots on my phonographs when I'm not looking.
Some folks do this with a scroll saw, some, like me, do it with a hole saw. Thought I'd bring you along for the ride so you could see what to expect and see if I could offer any tips.
I have had one or two of these crack all the way through the label as I was working and I ended up throwing the whole thing away, that's with the ones that are in REALLY bad shape. Luckily that wasn't this one!
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT do this to a record just because it has a scratch here or there, even an Ethel Merman record. It's amazing how good a 78 can still sound with marks that would make a 33 1/3 unplayable. No, these things are so fragile it isn't hard to find a broken, unplayable specimen. Save it for one of those.

[@joeledbetter7918]

I don't think that I would be able to do that to a record ....to any records.

[@harryriles8609]

Crazy not to do it if it has no other use

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

Shellac records with cracks can still be read by laser turntables or record scanning software. They can be straightened and glued back with varying degrees of success using the appropriate equipment. The problem with records, whether made of shellac or vinyl or any other material, is that for many of them, the original mitres have been destroyed or lost so, basically, the actual records produced is all that is left from historical recordings. No-one knows whether a particular recording will have some value of some sort to someone at some point in the future for whatever possible reason -- it does not necessarily have to be an artistic reason or a cultural or a political reason, it could be any historical reason. No-one knows if a particular record will be the only surviving copy of a recording at some point in the future, e.g. following a flood or a fire destroying a major archive. So, the more records preserved and passed on by individuals, the better for future generations.

[@agarso]

1. I'm pretty sure Bing Crosby Christmas Records are safe from the obscurity of History and 2. Are you telling me that you keep all of your cracked records and records missing big chunks? You don't throw any away but you keep them in a special box somewhere? Most collectors I know break them over a knee and throw them in the garbage. I'm at least trying to save the label. Let me know where you keep your broken records, I'd like some more ideas. Oh, and let me know what laser turntable you use. This record couldn't be glued together, again, the space in the crack was way too large...

[@mrrgstuff]

Good video. Much as I like to save every one, it does make sense to use some like this especially if they were literally going to get thrown away otherwise. Thanks 👍😀

[@aarongarceau4053]

I've been around collectors who, when a huge chunk is taken out of a record, they go to break it over their knee to throw it away and I jump in and yell "wait!". But even then, if it's a really rare record, I still keep it for what music remains. I really only do this with the records that there are a lot of.

[@mrrgstuff]

@@aarongarceau4053 Yes, I also keep records which have chunks out of them, partly to use as test records as they are already damaged. I have bought a few broken records as they were sufficiently old enough or interesting enough, even with the damage. Thanks 😀 👍

[@MiaTheFailure]

Clicked on this video to fully expect to hate it, but the moment I saw it was Bing Crosby, my fear and anger immediately turned into satisfaction since all he does is clutter the shelves here in NZ and I absolutely despise him for it.

[@agarso]

I would NEVER do this to a rare record, only the common thrift store finds. I have plenty of broken rare records that remain on the shelves, at least until one comes along to take its place... that is not a common occurrence

[@monkeytennis7477]

I've made coasters of 78's that were broken, but I painted them with sparkly nail polish. They came out pretty good.

[@paolofucile4804]

Ma che oscenità! I dischi rotti possono essere ricuperati con colle speciali e conservare la musica in esso contenuta che è sempre un reperto storico culturale!

[@BlackPatti78s]

Sad, I got a copy of this record luckily.

[@agarso]

I have a couple of copies of this one that play very nicely. I've experimented with trying to fill big gaps like this but all it does is tear up a needle and when it doesn't, the needle doesn't always follow the right groove.

[@Rosenbar731]

You could also make small clocks with them

[@audiophileman7047]

Very nice, I've done this with a few 33 1/3 rpm records and a 4 1/2" hole saw. To avoid using the saw horse and clamps, I elevate my board on a few sturdy blocks and then stand on both sides of the record while drilling between my feet. It works well, but your method looks a bit more comfortable and is probably the way to go if you're doing a lot of these. Do you apply a clear coat over the labels to prevent the labels from getting scratched or otherwise damaged when used as coasters?

[@aarongarceau4053]

Yes I do, I tried a matte finish clear coat and that worked for some but we've found that you just can't go wrong with a nice glossy clear coat. It actually makes some worn labels look even nicer. Especially needed on Capital records 78s as that ink runs with prolonged exposure to moisture. I haven't done any 33 1/3 yet but just got a batch that had been stored outside of sleeves and completely scratched and moldy for years. Salvaged a couple with nicer labels and will try. I imagine they'll be MUCH easier to cut through.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@aarongarceau4053 Thanks for the further comments. Is there any particular brand of water resistant glossy clear coat you use? I know someone who used an acrylic clear coat. Low speed and a lighter touch is the way to go on 33 1/3 records as it seems to be on 78's. Vinyl records are made out of PVC, and it can be pretty tough, especially if you're drilling into a thicker record like the 200 grams issues. The standard, familiar records are about 1/2 less thick at 120 grams. If you push too hard, it can bind up and tear the record up. If it's a particular label you love, I recommend going slower and lighter to avoid any damage. Let the teeth on the saw do the work, not your hand pressure. It may take a bit longer, but better safe than sorry. I had a particularly valuable label from a destroyed 200 grams UHQR record I did the slow/light way on, and the cut came out great.

[@agarso]

@@audiophileman7047 I tried a matte finish clear coat but it doesn't react well with some RCA Victor labels, does a nice job with red Columbias (though I don't usually get too many of those broken, on a rare occasion). The best I've used is Rustoleum Gloss enamel clear coat. Really comes out nicely though every disc that turns out great is bitter sweet as it's no longer playing music.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@agarso Thank you for the further tip on your clear coat. I hear you on taking a record out of service. I would typically do this on a bad record that's no longer playable. Even then, if it's a cool record, it might be good to keep it intact and frame it for hanging on the wall if it doesn't look too bad. Maybe place the gouged side in the back of the frame out of view. 👍👍👍

[@glenpitts6813]

I can never destroy a record.

[@ijheller]

One possible problem with using shellac 78s as coasters is that shellac dissolves in alcohol. So if an alcoholic beverage spills on them, they could be easily ruined.

[@agarso]

Possible I suppose, but I cover these in two coats of clear coat enamel. I tried a matte finish once but didn't like it, always go for the gloss now.

[@kleovoulos78s]

Cool !! 😎 Sad that it was Bing Crosby... 😕

[@agarso]

You don't know how much I hated to do it! There was just no fixing that crack

[@kleovoulos78s]

@@agarso I know it must have felt terrible!! 😖😖

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

Ohmygot 💀

[@bajouri101]

O my God this is very cruel ......

[@agarso]

Just curious what you do with your broken records?

[@JustABowlOfCherries]

Indeed.

[@phonogroove6521]

OK that's good if your not drinkin' alcohol...because this last one destroy the 78 rpm shellac coating....

[@agarso]

They get two coats of clear coat, alcohol won't affect them. Plus the alcohol content usually isn't high enough to do anything more than turn the shellac gray if left untreated.

[@espindolele]

sensacional

[@boballmendinger3799]

There's a video on KZbin of a guy heating and hand stretching a crack closed enough to play it.

[@agarso]

I would DEFINITELY do that with a rare record.

[@AmigaA-or2hj]

Why not use CDs instead?!

[@agarso]

Because I couldn't stand the thought of just throwing these records in the trash, this made me feel like at least some of it wouldn't go to waste and I love those old labels. Granted I love them better on non-damaged discs but when life gives you lemons... I think it's all in the description, right?

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

@@agarso Still, I believe sharing ideas like this on the internet could be dangerous. 78rpm records are not replaceable like CD's or Vinyl records. A lot of the masters were destroyed during the 1950s, and companies needed more space for the next big thing in music reproduction technology.

[@agarso]

@@alternateunreleasedshellac505 "sharing ideas; dangerous". Wow. Listen, if you want to throw your broken records in the trash, go for it. Or perhaps you're lucky enough to have never gotten a broken record. Just showing folks an alternative to the bin...

[@agarso]

@@alternateunreleasedshellac505 rational

[@ivansbacon]

Just say no to crack.

[@shree1787]

Foolish ! 🙁😪☹️😧😠

[@digidoridvideos3672]

It's already broken.

[@agarso]

And pretty common...