Laminated Record Woes

[winsleydale]

Is there a trend for laminated records to just crack for no reason? I have a Columbia Masterworks album of Mendelssohn's Concerto in E Minor, and judging from the gloss of the discs and the nearly complete absence of surface noise when played on my VV 8-12, I would guess that they were either never played, or played very seldomly during their lives. However, nearly every one of them has a crack on it! The cracks only seem to be present on one side rather than going all the way through, but sure as the sun comes up in the morning, you can hear them tick-tick-ticking away as the needle runs over them. Also, I have another Columbia 12" that is absolutely coated with cracks that look almost the way delamination cracks on a Diamond Disc look, but they are inaudible on that disc.

Should I just strive only to buy solid-composition discs in the future, or is there a way to prevent this from happening with the laminated discs that are as yet unsullied?

Is there any way to repair these cracks once they are discovered? I really like this album and I'd like to preserve it as well as I can.

[Wolfe]

Never had a problem with laminated records randomly cracking just sitting on the shelf. Never.

[winsleydale]

They were already cracked when I got them. The issue is that the cracks are only found on laminated records. Actually, only 12" Columbias, to be honest. I have 10" Columbias and OkeHs that are laminated but aren't showing the same problem; and my 12" records made by other brands are fine, as well (but they are solid).

[Wolfe]

You mean lam cracks. If they're not cracked when you buy them then all good. Don't handle them too roughly - they do have a certain fragility compared to the stouter "solid" shellac records.

[Curt A]

This may or may not be the cause, but records that are kept in albums tend to crack more than those kept in paper sleeves and standing on edge. I think flexing the records when flipping the pages causes this, since the stress cracks seem to be on one side. Carrying albums horizontally tends to cause downward pressure and flexing from the weight of all the records in the album. Albums also contribute to records missing "bites" caused by page flipping...

[Victrolacollector]

Curt.....I agree, when I started collecting, I started breaking a lot of records in those albums. I no longer use albums, I use sleeves and milk crates.

[winsleydale]

Darn, I like keeping sets together in albums... Oh well. I will find a way to quit using them, if y'all think that's the cause. Gotta buy some more sleeves. Thanks for the help, noble denizens of the forum!

[Springmotor70]

Albums do have a bad history of eating records. They can get caught in the binding (if the constuction is not of rings and grommets) and they can get pinched if the album is laid prone when open and the sleeves are turned roughly. That being said I would leave original sets in their albums. Just don't travel with them a lot and when you play the set don't open the album all the way and take care not to pinch records. I sometimes stand the album up and remove and replace records vertically. Also store them vertically on a shelf.

But back to lamination cracks. Laminated records are prone to lamination cracks usually referred to as "lams". These are due to differential movement in the layers as they age. I have not recalled seeing any appear on records. They are typically there when I buy them. When it is a lam and not a true crack that goes all the way through they can be amazingly quiet even with needle and stylus wear starting to appear over time with age and lots of play.

Best of luck and keep enjoying your records.
Darren

[winsleydale]

Yes, these 'lams' are what I'm talking about. On many of the records that have them, they are silent - but, on this album they are quite deep, all the way to the paper center, and are audible. I now have my answer, so thanks for that

[Henry]

Albums do have a bad history of eating records. They can get caught in the binding (if the constuction is not of rings and grommets) and they can get pinched if the album is laid prone when open and the sleeves are turned roughly. That being said I would leave original sets in their albums. Just don't travel with them a lot and when you play the set don't open the album all the way and take care not to pinch records. I sometimes stand the album up and remove and replace records vertically. Also store them vertically on a shelf. Darren

When I open an album, I place it on a flat surface, stand it up on its bottom edge, fan out the covers and sleeves about 45º, and remove a record as desired. This technique places no stress on the records at the binding edge. The album will stand on its own, but I lay it flat after removing/replacing record(s). I've never had a problem with records in albums handled this way.