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I have a record which is cracked all the way from one edge to the beginning of the label.

I was thinking, if shellac can melt then could I touch the 'outer rim' (lead-in) part of the record with something very hot to soften it and join the two broken end parts together, which would increase rigidity ?

You could also, if it is a really thin crack, fill it with white wood glue. Lay it down on one side in a big stripe. Once it's dry, flip the record over and do the same to the back. When both are nice and dry, peel it off carefully, leaving some in the grooves, and play it on a gramophone with a steel needle brushing the stylus with a light brush to clear away the dust. You have just filled the crack down its whole surface and probably saved your record.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:You could also, if it is a really thin crack, fill it with white wood glue. Lay it down on one side in a big stripe. Once it's dry, flip the record over and do the same to the back. When both are nice and dry, peel it off carefully, leaving some in the grooves, and play it on a gramophone with a steel needle brushing the stylus with a light brush to clear away the dust. You have just filled the crack down its whole surface and probably saved your record.

Interesting idea. Thanks VanEpsFan1914.

Use WeldBond glue, which is water soluble, but hardens rock hard. Push it into the crack as explained in the previous post, but wipe off the excess with a damp cloth or paper towel and let it dry over night. Once dry, play with a steel needle... no excess will be in the grooves. I have used this method on many cracked records with great success...
https://www.amazon.com/Weldbond-8-50420 ... B00RM70OGE

Curt A wrote:Use WeldBond glue, which is water soluble, but hardens rock hard. Push it into the crack as explained in the previous post, but wipe off the excess with a damp cloth or paper towel and let it dry over night. Once dry, play with a steel needle... no excess will be in the grooves. I have used this method on many cracked records with great success...
https://www.amazon.com/Weldbond-8-50420 ... B00RM70OGE

Thanks Curt A - I will order some and try this.

"Captain Tolley's creepimg crack cure" seals cracks on 78s and the bond / seal is stronger than the original shellac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolley ... B00JQ6XHWC

BUT yes shellac melts that's how the records are made from molten shellac paste so a soldering iron on the edge will strengthen the crack

soundgen wrote:"Captain Tolley's creepimg crack cure" seals cracks on 78s and the bond / seal is stronger than the original shellac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolley ... B00JQ6XHWC

BUT yes shellac melts that's how the records are made from molten shellac paste so a soldering iron on the edge will strengthen the crack

Aha ! Fantastic ! Thanks Soundgen !

soundgen wrote:"Captain Tolley's creepimg crack cure" seals cracks on 78s and the bond / seal is stronger than the original shellac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolley ... B00JQ6XHWC

BUT yes shellac melts that's how the records are made from molten shellac paste so a soldering iron on the edge will strengthen the crack

Just ordered some. Can you describe how to apply it? Just a bit at the outer edge of the record, or along the crack, then wipe off excess???

JerryVan wrote:

soundgen wrote:"Captain Tolley's creepimg crack cure" seals cracks on 78s and the bond / seal is stronger than the original shellac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolley ... B00JQ6XHWC

BUT yes shellac melts that's how the records are made from molten shellac paste so a soldering iron on the edge will strengthen the crack

Just ordered some. Can you describe how to apply it? Just a bit at the outer edge of the record, or along the crack, then wipe off excess???

you just put a tiny drop on the record edge , it travels along the inside of the crack by capillary action once set and dried you just play the record as normal , it is important to ensure the record is flat when applying

soundgen wrote:

JerryVan wrote:

soundgen wrote:"Captain Tolley's creepimg crack cure" seals cracks on 78s and the bond / seal is stronger than the original shellac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolley ... B00JQ6XHWC

BUT yes shellac melts that's how the records are made from molten shellac paste so a soldering iron on the edge will strengthen the crack

Just ordered some. Can you describe how to apply it? Just a bit at the outer edge of the record, or along the crack, then wipe off excess???

you just put a tiny drop on the record edge , it travels along the inside of the crack by capillary action once set and dried you just play the record as normal , it is important to ensure the record is flat when applying

Thanks! Will do.