I’ve probably run 200+ through my DF0-1iA and have melted maybe 5. Two of those were translucent red. Now I know to cut the cycle short for colored vinyl and it’s been fine.
That does intrigue me. Is it really more than just the result of heating a record and letting it cool? Or is it doing something more? Repeated low heat/cool to "flex" it???
Another data point, but I also haven't lost a record with the Orb either, so far... All types been through from run of the mill to MoFi One-Step, UHQR formulations and all variations of weight, colour and temperatures.
Well, I have had my ORB DF-01iA+ (improved model over the DF-01iA non + model) since November 2022. Since then, I have put through about 15-20 records. So far, it's 100% success rate for me. For more severely warped records, I put it through the cycle twice. I use the 4hr cycle on medium. There seems to b 2 temperature gradients in this cycle. Pretty happy with this purchase.
Yes I have years of experience with Vinyl Flat....years of unsatisfying experience. Hit or miss, and some mangled lps to boot. I would imagine a similar outcome with the UK Record Pi. A Hoffman thread on it indicates the same sort of experience I had with Vinyl Flat.
I would recommend to anyone getting the Orb that they also use felt lp sized spacers sandwhiched around the lp, which ensures no contact of the lp with the glass. I have flattened at least 100 records using it in this manner, including supposedly un-flattenable ones that weight under 140g...
I have done this same thing using the Orb. I had two felt spacers left over from the Record Pi that I used prior to the Orb, but I don’t love them as they’re a bit flimsy. Do you remember where you got your spacers? I’d like a better quality than the two I currently own.