DIY Vinyl Record Coasters From Old LPs

Here’s how to make vinyl record coasters from all those old LPs you have lying around (assuming, of course, that they’re not worth listening to anymore) …

These are by no means an original idea. I saw them on all sorts of websites when shopping for unique Christmas gifts. However, $20-45 for six or eight coasters seems like a bit much. For the same investment [for the hole saw], you can make these guys by the thousands, and by picking out your own LPs, you can select from the choicest of colors and label designs.

And while you’re feeling LP-tastic, check this out!

Materials

12” vinyl albums (raid the 25¢ bin!)
Electric drill or drill press
Bi-Metal Hole Saw (I already had a 4 1/4” saw, but if you’re buying new, go for a 4 1/2”)
Scrap wood: a large flat piece (I used an old fiberboard shelf) and two thinner strips (1×2”)
C-clamps, or short bar clamps
150-220 grit sandpaper
Spray Polyurethane or Acrylic finish
Stable work surface
Safety glasses, work gloves, and dust mask (this stuff HAS to be bad for you)

How to Make Vinyl Record Coasters

1. Select your albums. Listen first, if you please, to make sure they’re worth destroying

2. If using a smaller drill press, cut the top third of the album.

3. FIRMLY secure the larger piece of scrap wood to a stable work surface, or the drill press table.
4. Place record on scrap wood, and firmly secure the album with the 1×2”s, clamping them as close as possible to the label.

A contraction is held up with wood and tools.

5. Using the spindle hole as a guide, insert the starter bit of the hole saw, and using a SLOW RPM (set your drill press low, or pull slightly on your trigger), drill out the label of the LP. If the album jumps around, or you can see the teeth marks, secure the record more firmly to the work surface, and try to clamp closer to the label.

6. Peel away extra vinyl, and sand the edges to smoothness, staying clear of the paper label.