5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Discussions on Records, Recording, & Artists
Post Reply
Zenger
Victor II
Posts: 246
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:50 pm

5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Post by Zenger »

Greetings. I am going to be transporting a bunch of 5-inch brown wax cylinders (among many other things) by car over the course of 2 long days. The cylinders are all in cases and will be well-packed on top of that, but I'm wondering about temperature fluctuation, and whether or not it might affect the cylinders negatively. It would be much easier for me if I could leave them in my SUV overnight on both nights, but the temperatures outside will likely get down close to or even below freezing. Could this damage them in any way, or make them more susceptible to damage? Any other tips/advice for getting them from place to place safely? Thanks!

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8279
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Post by phonogfp »

Five-inch cylinders will not be damaged by freezing temperatures, as long as they are allowed to assume room temperature over the course of many hours or a day. Don't remove the box lids once back inside. It's the rapid temperature changes that do the harm.

George P.

Zenger
Victor II
Posts: 246
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:50 pm

Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Post by Zenger »

Thank you very much, George. Do I need to worry about the inside of the SUV heating up too quickly the next day?

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8279
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Post by phonogfp »

Zenger wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:08 pm Do I need to worry about the inside of the SUV heating up too quickly the next day?
As long as the records remain in their boxes with lids on (and especially if the records/boxes are packed into larger closed cardboard boxes), I wouldn't worry. Keep them in the back away from the heating vents.

George P.

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6825
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question

Post by JerryVan »

A few weeks ago, someone mentioned this exact same situation. Their solution was to place the records in a cheap, styrofoam cooler, which allowed for a very slow transition in temperature, (either up or down). It was important, as George suggests, not to open up the cooler, (or cartons), until after several hours of having returned to room temperature. Their previous transporting attempts, without the cooler, resulted in broken cylinders.

I once removed a 5" cylinder in a slightly cool room. With two or three fingers holding the cylinder from inside, the heat of my hand caused it crack. I was unhappy... :(

Post Reply