Display Your Favorite Vinyl with This Easy DIY Record Holder
I wanted to make a simple stand that showcased one of my daughter's first and favorite bands (CAAMP). The stand is now proudly displayed on my hidden doorway bookcase. This is one of the simplest woodworking projects you can make - perfect for beginners!
The Build: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose Your Wood
Choose whatever wood type you prefer. It should be at least 1" in height by 2" wide. I had some walnut left over from the floating shelf project, so I decided to use that. Woods like walnut, spalted maple, and oak work well with polyurethane finish.
Step 2: Mark and Cut the Slot
Stand your record up where you want it to be able to sit and mark the center with a pencil. Remove the record and measure 3.5" from center in each direction (total length 7"). Using a Dremel with a wood cutting wheel, cut along the 7" line as deep as your cutting wheel will allow. It doesn't really matter if you cut through the other side, just be careful not to damage your work surface.
Step 3: Create Character with Sanding
I wanted the edges of the record holder to have lots of character. To do this, I flipped my belt sander over and ran the wood in random patterns using 80-grit sandpaper. I kept the motions slow enough to give the wood a cool set of contours. Once I got the look I wanted, I used a random orbital sander with 120-grit. I popped the grain and hand sanded a second time with 120 grit.
Step 4: Apply Finish
Walnut has lots of natural color and beauty. I decided to skip the stain and go straight to applying a semi-gloss oil-based polyurethane. Polyurethane gives the wood a nice glow and semi-gloss avoids making the wood look like plastic. As with most projects, I applied three coats of polyurethane.
Step 5: Check the Fit
Once the polyurethane has fully dried, check the fit by placing the record in the newly created slit. Make any adjustments if needed to ensure the record sits securely but can be easily removed.
