Summary
- The Pro-Ject “Flatten It” machine uses controlled heat and pressure to safely flatten warped vinyl records, addressing a common issue that affects sound quality.
- Unlike DIY methods, the “Flatten It” employs heated aluminum plates and precise temperature control to ensure even heating and prevent damage to the vinyl’s grooves.
- The device is designed for ease of use with simple controls, requiring users to place a record inside, set a heating cycle, and then a cooling cycle, though it comes at a premium price point.
Vinyl records are the physical media format of choice for many music lovers, but that doesn’t mean they’re without flaws. If neglected and stored improperly, vinyl can become misshapen, which can affect the sound quality. A company called Pro-Ject has a machine that can fix these warped records.
The aptly named “Flatten It” device is designed to do exactly what its name suggests: flatten warped vinyl records. This isn’t some DIY hack; it’s a purpose-built machine that uses carefully controlled heat and pressure to restore your records to their original, pristine condition.
Imagine a record player, but instead of spinning and playing, it’s gently pressing and heating. The Flatten It machine uses heated aluminum plates to apply even heat across the entire surface of the record. This is key and why a DIY solution can be risky. Uneven heating can actually worsen warping, but the Flatten It ensures a consistent temperature.
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Precise temperature control is also very important. Vinyl is, well, vinyl, and vinyl melts–that’s how records are made. Too much heat, and you risk damaging the delicate grooves of the record. The Flatten It is designed to maintain the perfect temperature for softening the vinyl just enough to allow it to flatten out without causing any harm.
Even if you’re not a techie person, you should be able to use the Flatten It without issue. The design is straightforward, and the controls couldn’t be simpler. There’s a power switch, a heating or cooling switch, and a temperature readout that can be put in Fahrenheit or Celcius. That’s it.
To use the machine, you simply put a record inside, close the lid, set the switch to “Heating,” and wait around an hour for it to slowly hit 58°C. After two hours in the heating cycle, you switch it over to “Cooling” and wait for it to get down to 30°C. At that point, the record should be cool to the touch and perfectly flat again. Pro-Ject says you can repeat the process and even leave the record inside for longer if it’s still warped.
Pro-Ject hasn’t cut any corners designing this thing (as you’ll see from the price). It’s constructed from solid aluminum, which means it’s built to withstand years of use. And at over $850, it’s certainly an investment for diehard collectors. It could potentially save you from having to replace valuable or irreplaceable records, and it could breathe life into records that would otherwise be tossed.
Source: Yanko Design
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