How to Pirate a Vinyl Record The Hard Way

Listen to the audio ripped from the duplicated record below.

One of my most fun projects to date! I take a Johnny Cash reissue 7″ vinyl record and duplicate it with a silicone rubber mold and liquid plastic. To be quite honest I was surprised on how much detail the mold can handle as the duplicated record played almost perfectly. You can listen to the ripped audio above. There was a few more pops and clicks than the original record and I’m guessing that’s from dust or not cleaning the original enough beforehand. Obviously pirating and duplicating any copyrighted material is prohibited but in the spirit of making and experimentation this was a fun project.

A couple of fun facts about this 7″ single: Get Rhythm was the 1956 a-side of this record but it was the b-side that became the huge hit for Johnny Cash. I Walk the Line was the first number one single for Johnny Cash and sold over 2 million copies in it’s original pressing. The copy that I own is a reissue put out by one of my favorite record labels, Third Man Records owned and operated by Jack White.

Original music in the video by Lance Neil Hulsey, Toledo, Ohio

Items Used

Step 1: Making the Mold

Nail, screw or glue 4 pieces of wood big enough to hold your record. Here I’m just using plywood and some screws. You’ll want it to be an inch or two bigger than your record. The internal dimensions of my mold is 9″.

Step 2: Making the Mold

Using some tub and tile adhesive attach your mold to a piece of glass. I’m using a large mirror I have laying around.

Step 3: Caulking the Mold

Now caulk the inside of the mold. This will keep the silicone rubber from leaking out.

Step 4: Mixing the Silicone Rubber

Now mix up equal parts Smooth-On Silicone OOMOO 30. This is a silicone rubber compound for making molds. You’ll want to mix this thoroughly for 3 minutes.

Step 5: Pouring on the Silicone Rubber

Pour in just enough to cover the record. You’ll also want to plug the spindle hole of your record. I’m using a 45 RPM adapter/plastic insert.

Step 6: Brush in the Silicone Rubber

Use a brush to push in the silicone rubber into the record grooves. This will ensure there is no trapped air.

Step 7: Pouring on the Silicone Rubber

Pour in the rest of the silicone mixture making sure everything is covered edge-to-edge. Let this dry overnight.

Step 8: Peeling Back the Rubber

Once the silicone rubber has had a chance to dry overnight carefully peel it out of the mold.

Step 9: Completed Silicone Rubber Mold

You should have a clean mold free of air bubbles. It’s pretty amazing how these tiny grooves leave an impression in the silicone rubber.

Step 10: Mixing Up The Liquid Plastic Resin

Now it’s time to mix up the liquid plastic resin. I’m using Smooth-On Smooth-Cast 300. Make sure to mix thoroughly and work quickly as the liquid plastic starts to set in just a few minutes.

Step 11: Pour in the Liquid Plastic Resin

Now pour in the liquid plastic resin into the silicone mold. Try your best to keep it from spilling out of the round impression. I did get some spill-over because my bench is not level. This can be cleaned up with a knife or bandsaw later. You’ll also want to plug the spindle hole of your record. I’m using a 45 RPM adapter/plastic insert. Let this cure for at least 1 hour.

Step 12: Cutting Off the Excess

Once it has time to cure for at least one hour you can pull it out of the mold. Since I had some spill-over I’m cleaning up the edges on my bandsaw. You could easily do this with a utility knife.

Step 13: Attaching the Label

I took a photo of the label and printed it out on on some shipping label stock. Cut it out with some scissors or an X-Acto knife at attach it to the record.