Slow Clouds

Talk to someone with a record collection who still buys and plays vinyl and they often take on a nostalgic air when it comes to their turntable. My own technics was a gift from my father at 15 and I have been playing it for almost 20 years now. I think I’ve only replaced the needle once. Unfortunately, it isn’t much to look at now that the cover is all scratched up. But with a little ingenuity you can create a new custom cover that will make your turntable look fresh again.

I made this dustcover for a vintage turntable as a gift for my cousin Katrina for her graduation. She had smashed up the original acrylic cover pretty badly but she loves her record player, so I decided to try and craft a replacement. The design on top is etched into the acrylic with a laser cutter and then white paint was rubbed into the etching so that it would stand out against the black turntable. The frame I cut on a table saw from fir with a rabbet for the acrylic panel so that it is inset and secure. I used the original hinges so the cover functions just like it did before.