Victrola Wooden Record Crate – Tabletop Vinyl Album Holder, No-Tool Assembly, Holds Over 50 Records, Real Wood Construction, Elegant Design (Black)

This wasn't hard to put together, under10 minutes. The whole time I was highly concerned of it braking, very flimsy pieces with slide and groove. Just be patient and be gentle. My biggest complaint on this is that it really is a cheap and flimsy crate and it was (at this time) $50!! It isn't worth $25. I would have struggled paying even $15 for it, but what you are paying for is the 'Victrola' name etched across the front. This part will be the back of the crate for my display. It does look nice, though and it certainly looks better than the large antique milk crate I was using, will likely be better for the records. I would not at all trust this with the weight of full capacity, though. I have a small plant tray on casters that I will be setting this on. I hope it lasts longer than it seems. 12" sleeve *just* fit with very little space, I would worry about any that may be slightly larger than standard fitting. Lastly, just in case this is something that will bother any readers - I have the Mahogany player I was gifted for Christmas this year, so I ordered the Mahogany crate. They do not match. This is fine by me, as they will not be next to each other, but I would be annoyed if my set up was capable of the records sitting near the player. All in all... it's just not worth the hassle returning and waiting for a refund. I will be keeping an eye out for a more solid crate. This works well enough for now.

1 star *. I wish I had read the 1-star reviews before my purchase of this record crate (crap). The crate (crap) is held together simply by sliding the panels into grooves that are manufactured in each of the panels. There are no glue or screws. The crate is held together with low-quality loosely interlocking wood panels. As a result, the crate is very rickety. I kept one crate that I am going to glue together for my personal use, but the other one I bought for someone as a gift, I am returning that one. I would not give this to anyone as a gift. If the joints had been manufactured to closer tolerances and could be hammered together, then it might be tight enough to be usable, but those type of joints really need to be professionally assembled by veteran woodworkers, not the average Amazon consumer; however, it doesn't matter since the joints are so sloppy/loose, it will never feel secure unless the end user glues it together. Hopefully, there is enough wood-to-wood contact to achieve successful glued joints on the one I am keeping; time will tell. I do not understand, as many other reviewers have mentioned, how this crate (crap) is rated as high as it is. It does not make any sense to me; this is a 1 or 2 star rated product, no matter how you look at it. At $40 each, this is a waste of time/money. Honestly, I do not see this crate (crap) as having much value at any price. >>>>You can get good quality from China, so the real failure here may very well be the failure of Victrola to properly engineer a good crate design and then make sure it is manufactured to a high standard. Victrola, please remove from market, redesign the crate and then release when you have it right. Do some proper product testing by consumers, not by your people in the office. <<<<

Added WD 40 to all interlocking slots for easy assembly (a little goes a long way). Also added a dab of wood glue to the all slots. Once completed box still felt a tad flimsy. Added 2 layers (allow dry time btw each layer) of wood glue to the bottom of the box (lined entire bottom of box) to reinforce the strength to hold records. Can now safely hold the 50 records that manufacturer claims (no way box holds 50 as is) You can easily damage the box on assembly or even after assembly. Recommend the use of WD 40 (not much needed) and wood glue.

After ordering many, many items from Amazon this was my first return ever. I ordered the record crate for my daughter. She was excited as it was available in white. The color is not "China white" but slightly off white. The first one arrived with a crack running all the way through the handle. It possibly occurred in shipment but box showed no sign of damage. I wanted to see the end product so I tried to put it together but the slots would not line up. It was impossible to assemble it. I opted to return it and reorder a replacement hoping... The 2nd one arrived without any damage, but it had the same problem with the slots not lining up. With a lot of effort I was able to work the parts together getting it started but it was very tight. As the last side was almost in place it cracked on the bottom because the slots did not line up evenly. Even with it designed/manufactured properly I think it would barely support being full of records. It is nothing like the old cantaloupe crates from yesteryear. As a place to keep your records next to your turntable it may be fine, but for moving around I don't think it would last long. Slotted 3/8" light wood walls and 1/8" pressed board bottom. As the last side was wedged in place, the bottom panel slid into its slot making it practically is impossible to disassemble it. I fear I might damage the whole thing trying to dissemble it (and unable to return it). I will keep this one with the small crack but not so happy about it. I do not recommend this product.

It's a pretty decent record holder, buuuutt it "does-not" lock into place, (on the sides) like front & back. I like the style of the wood framing, and the overall construction is satisfactory. I "highly" recommend that you (DO NOT) grab the sides while full of albums as the resulting action will be 'unproductive' to say the least. For nostalgia purposes, I went with this style & design over sturdier & more secure crates "only'; so decide ahead of purchase. 4 of 5 stars for the side panels not being able to lock in place.