Record storage & organization

[ishkabibble]

My records are now in a less than ideal storage situation. I'd like to change that AND make them accessible so they can be played (otherwise, I could just catalog them, and put them back where they are). I did some searching here, and found a recommendation for the bookcases which you can stack on their side, available at Walmart. I bought a set of three and will start with that. A little concerned, though, as my collection grows, the particle board will be strained, but that's not a problem yet. The nice thing about them is that they are finished - not just raw lumber. What is everyone else doing? What sort of shelves do you have. Do you store in sleeves or in books?

Then there's organization - any suggestions? Sure, for cataloging, there's excel or access - title, label, number, I suppose, but what about organizing on the shelf? Any suggestions?

Just as some samples of what I've seen - there is a fellow in Wisconsin who is ebaying his approx. 1000 record collection - everything is in record books and cataloged in excel. Attached is a picture from craigslist in the Chicago area of another person selling everything. They don't seem to be very accessible stored on top of each other, although the shelves look pretty solid.

[phonophan79]

Whenever this topic comes up... I mention the Ikea EXPEDIT bookcase. I think a few members have one...

The Ikea EXPEDIT bookcase has served me well for records. The website gives a Max load/shelf: 13 kg (28.66 lb).

Here is an old picture from when I first organized all my Diamond Discs (by catalog number)...



The EXPEDIT has no problem with a shelf full of these heavy DD's.

Here's an image I stole from the internet showing that it can fit 12" records too.



It also comes in a bigger size. (two side by side)

[Brad]

I built my own shelves from Poplar and bead board plywood. The lower shelves will accept 12" records and/or 12" and 10" albums. The upper shelves are sized for 10" only records. I built 6 units and each until could hold up to about 1200 records in sleeves.

As for filing, I haven't gotten there yet. I have started cataloging my records in excel and my plan is to organize by label and then by record #.

[ishkabibble]

Guys, thanks for the replies. Phonophan - good idea, I'll have to check out Ikea. Brad - WOW!! What a great storage setup!!!! Unfortunately, that's beyond my ability, but very impressive!!!

[3victrolas]

Brad gets my vote for the best looking set of shelves!

[phonophan79]

Brad gets my vote for the best looking set of shelves!

Seriously! Very nice!

[gregbogantz]

Stand by for a rant: If you're even CONSIDERING using particle board for shelving, you obviously have never been conned into buying shelves with particle board before. Particle board is and should be considered a waste product of the lumber industry. It is unsuitable for ANY productive purpose. It doesn't even burn worth a damn. Specifically, any horizontal run of particle board is guaranteed to sag under its own weight in one year. Never mind putting anything on the shelf. You can't put a wood screw in it without stripping out the hole. It weighs a ton compared with anything else. It's useless. Shelving intended to hold heavy things like shellac records needs to be made of REAL, solid wood, preferably something fairly hard like oak, maple, or poplar. Even then, you should use shelves that are either short or supported with vertical braces about every 18 inches or so. Better yet, use metal shelving. Several stores like Target and Lowe's sell heavy gauge metal welded wire free-standing shelving with pipe verticals and adjustable shelves. These may look flimsy, but the wire is quite thick and strong and can support lotsa weight. They are easy to set up and easy to adjust if you need to change them later. And the price is better than just about any alternative.

[JohnM]

Stand by for a rant: If you're even CONSIDERING using particle board for shelving, you obviously have never been conned into buying shelves with particle board before. Particle board is and should be considered a waste product of the lumber industry. It is unsuitable for ANY productive purpose. It doesn't even burn worth a damn. Specifically, any horizontal run of particle board is guaranteed to sag under its own weight in one year. Never mind putting anything on the shelf. You can't put a wood screw in it without stripping out the hole. It weighs a ton compared with anything else. It's useless. Shelving intended to hold heavy things like shellac records needs to be made of REAL, solid wood, preferably something fairly hard like oak, maple, or poplar. Even then, you should use shelves that are either short or supported with vertical braces about every 18 inches or so. Better yet, use metal shelving. Several stores like Target and Lowe's sell heavy gauge metal welded wire free-standing shelving with pipe verticals and adjustable shelves. These may look flimsy, but the wire is quite thick and strong and can support lotsa weight. They are easy to set up and easy to adjust if you need to change them later. And the price is better than just about any alternative.

I second Greg's assessment of particle board. MDF reinforced with a solid wood for cleats and face frames is much stronger and safer.

About 20 years ago, I was house-sitting for a friend and sleeping in an upstairs loft. In the middle of the night I was awakened by the most blood-curdling human scream you could imagine. It sounded like it was in the in the house! I summoned up every ounce of courage I have and went downstairs to check it out. Nothing was amiss! I went back upstairs and tried to go back to sleep. I was just drifting off when it happened again . . . stopped . . . happened again and then the most godawful crash you ever heard! I bolted downstairs with a 5-cel Maglite in my hand ready for action. A particle board shelf of a bookcase had collapsed under the weight of books and a television set. The awful screaming sound was the sound of the particle board pulling apart!

[pictureroll]

Some 30 years ago there used to be particleboard cubes that were 12" square (inside measurement). I have 21 of these stacked 3 high and 7 wide. They each hold about 100 10" 78s, they work quite well and I have had no trouble with them. Of course each row has two thicknesses except the bottom which sets on haydite blocks.
For the LP's I bought a number that are 13 ¾" (inside high) these also work well.
Jerry F Bacon-Dallas,Tx

[bart1927]

I only have a modest collection (about 700 records), so I don't need very big cabinets at this time. I currently use the bottom shelves of my Billy book cabinets (from Ikea). I also have 2 Traby cabinets, also from Ikea. I think they are (at least partially) made from what you call particle board. I have had these a couple of years now, and I don't see any sagging. But I must admit I wouldn't feel safe to build an entire system of Traby's, or filling a Billy bookcase completely with 78's.