Making A Record Cleaning Station
Everyone loves cleaning their records and keeping them in tip-top condition because that’s how you keep them sounding great. Not many people think about creating a designated place for cleaning their records. The pros and cons of cleaning your records on your record player or a cleaning station vary but we plan to go over those as well as walk you through how to make your very own record cleaning station.
Cleaning Records On Your Record Player
Some people just clean their records on their record player’s turntable. This may seem convenient because it spins and is already built to hold a record but can have its downsides. Let’s go over some pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It costs nothing extra. | Can cause stress on the motor if the record player is turned on. |
| Works better than nothing. | Can cause wear and stress on the belt. |
| Easy to use. | Any dust still on your mat will likely stick back to your record. |
| Cleaners can overspray onto your record player. |
So if you were to ask us if this is the best method we would say no. Is there harm in cleaning your records this way? Yes, there is some harm as listed in the cons. Is it ok to use in a pinch or from time to time? Yeah probably. We would be hard-pressed to say you should never do this but we think there is a better option.
Cleaning Record On A Devoted Cleaning Station
Cleaning a record on a cleaning station is a much better option than the record player itself, in our opinion. However, most people do not have a cleaning station just for cleaning their records. Usually, it is just because they do not think about it. We will go over the pros and cons and we think you will understand why.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive to make. | You have to store another device. |
| Gives you more control. | You have to make one. |
| No wear on your record player. | |
| Allows you more cleaning options. | |
| You can clean your records from anywhere. | |
The greatest part about making a cleaning station is it does not cost that much to make. There are several methods to making your very own cleaning station but we really like ours. Like we have said before based on how vinyl records work you need to keep them clean.
How To Make A Record Cleaner Station
The goal here is to create a free-floating turntable that you can freely spin while cleaning your record. By using the items below we know you will love this setup. Here is a list of all the supplies you will need to make our cleaning station, how we made ours, and how many of each item you need.
Materials You Need
| Item | Quantity | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 1 | This is where your vinyl will sit while being cleaned. |
| Base Mat | 1 | This mat will protect your vinyl from the plastic base. |
| Center Post | 1 | This will hold your record in place like the center post of your record player. |
Tools You Need
| Item | Quantity | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Drill | 1 | To mount your center post |
| Recommended Drill | 1 | To mount your center post |
| Drill Bit | 1 (Optional) | You only need this if you did not buy the center post kit posted above. |
1. Take Apart The Base Turntable
The turntable we linked to is super easy to take apart. Before we go forward please understand if you are not careful you can break the base on this step, so relax, be gentle, and work slowly to focus on what you are doing. While Amazon has a decent return policy we are not sure they will take this back for trying to pull it apart.
Gently pull the two sides apart from each other while making sure to support it from the center. To get to the center start pulling the two pieces apart until you can fit your hand in between the layers. You should be able to hear a pop as the two sides come apart. Once apart you will notice a peg on one side and the other side is a receiving side that holds it together. Leave the bearings and bearing housing on the receiver side.
2. Drill A Slot For Your Center Post
We will focus on the side here that has the center post, not the receiving side. This is the part you will need the drill. As always when working with power tools please wear the proper protective gear and focus on what you are doing so you can do this safely.
Lay the top of your base with the side that has a peg face down so the peg is sticking up. Make sure the surface you are drilling on can be drilled into as the goal is to drill straight through the center of the peg.
Press your drill bit slowly down on the end of the peg in the center. Line it up to be as straight as possible. This is very important to the success of our project so make sure you are in the center and the drill is straight. With one hand holding down the turntable, slowly begin to drill out a hole in the peg. We are not looking to apply a lot of pressure here, just let the weight of the drill and the drill bit do the work.
3. Adding Your Center Post
Now that the center post hole has been drilled out it is pretty easy from here. Flip over your turntable base and use one wood dowel from our center post kit to place inside the hole we drilled. This can take a little time but you can slowly try to work it in or lightly tap with a hammer. If you use the hammer be sure you do so lightly.
4. Put Your Turntable Together
Place the side of the base with the receiver and the bearings face down. Now take your two bases from the turntable and press the peg we drilled out into its receiver. Again you will hear a loud pop and it should be back together. You can test this by placing your base on a surface with the center post up and spin it with your hand.
5. Protecting Your Records
This is where your spare mat or the mat on our list comes in. You need to have a devoted mat for your cleaning station as the one you are using on your record player could have dirt statically charged in it already and we do not want that scratching your records when cleaning. Place your spare mat or the one we recommend on the base with the center post through the hole.
In Case You Missed The Materials List
Materials You Need
| Item | Quantity | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 1 | This is where your vinyl will sit while being cleaned. |
| Base Mat | 1 | This mat will protect your vinyl from the plastic base. |
| Center Post | 1 | This will hold your record in place like the center post of your record player. |
Tools You Need
| Item | Quantity | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Drill | 1 | To mount your center post |
| Recommended Drill | 1 | To mount your center post |
| Drill Bit | 1 (Optional) | You only need this if you did not buy the center post kit posted above. |
How To Make A Vinyl Record Cleaning Station Summary
This cleaning station is so easy to make and takes just minutes to create. The greatest part about it is this is done for so cheap there really is no reason not to have one of these. By far the most difficult part of this whole process is the drilling of the center post but if you are careful and take your time we think you can do it.
