Broken CD Digipak Solution

Many years ago, when Microsoft was still producing Windows XP, I purchased a software add-on called Plus! that had additional media goodies for pc. What I remember about that item was the way that the disc was held within its' packaging, by a plug of rubber within the disc. I got to thinking, could this be the solution to broken digipaks? For instance, I have a Billie Holiday digipak with a broken spindle that will not hold the cd in place. What if I were to completely break out all of the existing spindle, then purchase (from where - that's the big question) rubber plugging that is 15 cm and glue that plug into the location of the removed spindle?

I found a picture of the Plus! packaging that I am referring to.

 

15mm not 15cm, I suspect!

 

Or buy a replacement tray.

CD / DVD Digi Trays

 

Yes, I mean mm. Sorry about that

 

I am not sure how I'd be able to use a replacement, as the rest of the tray is still glued into the packaging.

 

Wondering if these may do the job....

0.94US $ 5% OFF|MAKSEY 10PCS 27 28 29 30mm High Temperature resistance Silicone Seal Stopper Rubber Round Plug Hole Masking Pipe Tube End Caps|Gaskets| - AliExpress

 

The answer is, very carefully.

But obviously, different packages will present different issues.

 

For a moment I thought I had the solution - earplugs. They are a soft material, and almost the right diameter. Just a little bit too small. I thought I could take an earplug and cut it down to the right height and then glue that into place. Now I am wondering, do they make different diameter earplugs? Surely some people have larger diameter ear holes than other people.

 

Well, there's these...

Professional CD DVD Spiders Centres Middles Inserts Transparent SelfAdhesive | eBay

#Edited to add they can also be called rosettes or hubs

I have replaced digipak trays but it's very hard to get hold of replacement trays in the UK last time I looked. So the above may be handy if you're in the same boat.
I've had varying success on this because sometimes it's gel type glue holding the tray (good!) and other times it can be something akin to super glue (bad!!). I've used a hairdryer to get it going sometimes but it's all down to the glue.
Good luck...

 

Thank you! I was looking for something like these online recently and couldn't find them.

 

Amazon UK has them also, albeit in larger pack sizes (50 was the smallest pack that I could see quickly):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01899I...olid=3LJKGBSUNGRWI&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075H1W...olid=3LJKGBSUNGRWI&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Full marks to @thnkgreen for raising this issue. It is one that has been 'troubling' me for a while as getting the trays out of a digipack (as opposed to a conventional jewel case) is nigh on impossible.

 

Using an X-Acto knife, I have been able to cut through the glue that holds the plastic tray. Go slow and carefully. Then replace the tray using very small drops of clear elmer's glue.

 

I ended up buying a 100 count bag of these. Worked like a charm. Repaired three of my cd’s so far. What amazed me was how hard it was to break of the remaining original spindle teeth from the digipak’s. I had to use plyers! Begs the question- how do these things snap in the first place!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OEX1X4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZQ9TR38KV3FEE4Z7F7R1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

I just saw this thread..
Those exact (or close) black foam dots are available, here or other places:
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Adhesive-Backed-Foam-Rosettes/dp/B001OEXT36

 

Awesome! Thanks