Tinker with old records: 6 brilliant tricks

Records have been back in fashion for a few years, but old and worn records are used for a second purpose. We show you what you can conjure up from old records.

Crafts with old records: how it works

• For most craft and decoration ideas, the records are deformed. Since vinyl is not particularly heat-resistant, a few liters of hot water are sufficient.
• Take a medium to large saucepan and boil some water in it. Then take the pot off the stove. The water only has to be hot and no longer boil for deformation.
• Now simply hold the desired parts of the record in the hot water for a few seconds. To deform, press the respective area on the bottom or edge of the pot. Alternatively, you can briefly soak the record and then use pliers or similar to deform it on the kitchen board. If the pot is too small, an elongated cake tin can help in some cases.
• Tip: If you have a hot air dryer at home, you can work much more precisely and efficiently with it.

Recycle old records: 6 craft ideas

• Side table: If you want to save the deformation, you can simply turn old records into a small side table. All you need is four feet, which you mount on the underside of the record.
• Lampshade: A lampshade made from an old record provides a special eye-catcher. To do this, take a bowl and turn it upside down. Now you can create the shape of the record around the bowl.
• Flower vase: You need a little more skill for a flower vase. Rolling up the record with hot water is not that easy, but it is quite possible. A hot air dryer is the much better choice here.
• Key board: The effort for a key board is comparatively low. Usual thumbtacks can already serve as hooks in the record. If desired, you can flip the lower part of the record forward at a 90-degree angle to create an additional shelf.
• Picture frame: Take a sharp knife and carefully cut out the ring in the middle. Slight warmth from a hair dryer can help. If you stick a picture in the middle and mount a small support at the back, the picture frame is already finished. With a little more effort, you can also trim the picture frame square.
• Coasters: The cut out middle parts of the records are by no means waste. The labeled discs are the perfect size to start a second life as a stylish coaster.

In the next practical tip you will find further helpful tips for cutting vinyl records.