The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A few weeks ago, with too much time on my hands, I browsed eBay for 78s and found a lot containing some early 12" Victor records and a decent album, which I bid a small amount on and won. I had noticed that one of the labels read "A Conundrum; What to Play Next - Novelty Record" and guessed that this was a Puzzle record (it is). Of course, all the items arrived intact EXCEPT the puzzle record, whioh had a crack (either from shipping or before, who knows). It is what you would call a "tight" crack, and today I tried playing it and found that both the puzzle side and the ordinary reverse side track without skipping.

What can I do to stabilize this so that the crack doesn't worsen? Is there anything to be done to cement it (worst case I could sacrifice the ordinary side, but would of course prefer not to). The crack runs from the edge about ½ way to the label.

Jeff

Jeff, Great record. I know it well. As for the crack. I'm sure there will be many that won't like this idea (although it has worked well for me).You place a very small amount of crazy glue at the outer edge.The key is to do this on a perfect flat surface like glass plate or granite, etc....You must be careful that the amount applied is only going into the un-grooved edge.If too much is used. It will bleed into the track and that will cause a tick.
The only other thing to do is nothing and just enjoy it .

I do pretty much the same thing. The secret is to allow the superglue to flow into the crack using a capillary action. I use a twisted pointy end of a paper towel to suck up the crazy glue before it goes into the grooves. You have to work fast with this one. The result is a clean repair. There might be a slight tick to it. At least the record is functional.
Harvey Kravitz

They're fun! Sorry to hear about the crack. :-/

Three "hidden" tunes.
[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jXtUne3PY8[/youtubehd]

Phonofreak wrote:I do pretty much the same thing. The secret is to allow the superglue to flow into the crack using a capillary action. I use a twisted pointy end of a paper towel to suck up the crazy glue before it goes into the grooves. You have to work fast with this one. The result is a clean repair. There might be a slight tick to it. At least the record is functional.
Harvey Kravitz

Cyanoacrylate glues like Crazy Glue and SuperGlue use a tremendous amount of molecular water to catalyze. Just before gluing anything with it, huff your breath a few times onto the surfaces to be glued, much like you would huff on your glasses before cleaning them. This provides the moisture needed for the glue to fully and quickly set up.

JohnM wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:I do pretty much the same thing. The secret is to allow the superglue to flow into the crack using a capillary action. I use a twisted pointy end of a paper towel to suck up the crazy glue before it goes into the grooves. You have to work fast with this one. The result is a clean repair. There might be a slight tick to it. At least the record is functional.
Harvey Kravitz

Cyanoacrylate glues like Crazy Glue and SuperGlue use a tremendous amount of molecular water to catalyze. Just before gluing anything with it, huff your breath a few times onto the surfaces to be glued, much like you would huff on your glasses before cleaning them. This provides the moisture needed for the glue to fully and quickly set up.

Spelling error alert- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5582

gramophoneshane wrote:

JohnM wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:I do pretty much the same thing. The secret is to allow the superglue to flow into the crack using a capillary action. I use a twisted pointy end of a paper towel to suck up the crazy glue before it goes into the grooves. You have to work fast with this one. The result is a clean repair. There might be a slight tick to it. At least the record is functional.
Harvey Kravitz

Cyanoacrylate glues like Crazy Glue and SuperGlue use a tremendous amount of molecular water to catalyze. Just before gluing anything with it, huff your breath a few times onto the surfaces to be glued, much like you would huff on your glasses before cleaning them. This provides the moisture needed for the glue to fully and quickly set up.

Spelling error alert- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5582

Yeah, I know . . . "Bueler" should have two 'l's' in it. I wasn't going to say anything. Shane, you is a troublemaker!

JohnM wrote: Shane, you is a troublemaker!

I wouldn't say that. Just curious about your double standards. I guess you only like to embarrass new members

John wrote: Yeah, I know . . . "Bueler" should have two 'l's' in it. I wasn't going to say anything. Shane, you is a troublemaker!

John, I thought I was the troublemaker .I guess I need to work on my skills.... . Bueler????.....Bueler????. Has anyone seen Bueler????.....Anyone????......

Anyone know the name of the second tune that plays? I recognized it as the background music for the scene in "Grand Hotel" where Lionel Barrymore tries to get into bed while drunk. I've always liked the tune, and never knew it existed outside of the movie.