Interesting. What heat setting? I may see if I can deliberately damage a record, just to get the data point...
LP flattener
- Thread starter joeling
- Start date
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???
I always use Low setting. Now I stop it after 30 or 60 min for colored vinyl.
This is not a function of all colored vinyl. This was due to an issue with the vinyl formulation.
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.
I only use LOW these days. If a record (rare) doesn't flatten then it gets another run at MEDIUM.
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.
I’ve used the felt. Don’t think it serves any purpose unless your record has no groove guard.
I’m using the new and cheaper AFI Duo now which is replacing my ORB. I’ve done about 12 records so far using the Relax function and seem to agree this makes a noticeable improvement in sound quality. I’m not sure how or why the AFI cooling process is “tempering” the records when the ORB cooling cycle is even longer. I’ll try to do some better A/B when I get the next new record that has two discs.
Good to hear. I wasn’t aware there is a new model. I’ve been very happy with the AFI. It is not perfect - but it’s much better than my ORB was. The AFI has ruined some records, but not nearly as many as the ORB. It also has a nearly 100% success rate, more than I could get with my ORB (I had the “01” model).
I was perfectly happy with the ORB and had a great success rate, nearly perfect. The AFI can do two discs at once though which is a huge plus. It’s also smaller and probably weighs 15-20% of what the ORB does. I like the fact that there are label cutouts in the plates and you can turn off the annoying beeping alert. In general there is more control and more information such as seeing the exact temp and time left.
Any way you can record a before and after, using the same record, for us to listen to?
Label area and outer edge (groove guard) area are the only places that are heated and in contact with the glass surface on other flatteners. The reason for that is keeping grooves away from the heat. Actually it’s desired not to have an indentation for label. Some pressing plants (ex. Pallas) don’t use groove guard and in that case you add a paper or plastic circle to lift the record at the outer edges IOT keep grooves away from the heath.
I’ll look into it although I’ve never been able to get a satisfactory recording in my room.
I had one record with no GG with a sharp edge warp. Was not able to flatten this with the ORB no matter which method I tried. Flattened it with the AFI by increasing the program to 54c for 90 min. No damage. Many new pressings have edge warps with raised spindle areas. I think the label cutout will help this also.
Although I had no problems on flattening records without groove guards, without adding a circle of paper to lift the edge area but I still add it. I don’t know which method you used with ORB, I have no experience with AFI and I don’t question it’s effectiveness but I’m skeptical about a hot surface or any surface touching the groove area while flattening.
I used with and without rings and tried various heating temps/times with the ORB and it couldn’t do anything. I tried the first time with AFI Relax mode and it did a little but not enough. Emailed AFI and they suggested +2c/+30min and that did it. I think with any heater you will always have a small number of damages but overall the improvement is worth it on all the other records.