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| Dif-e-Yo Double-blind Orbiter |
| Exhibit #3488 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Specialty |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Finish | Polished |
| Construction | Multi-piece aluminum |
| Response | Dif-Pad |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2003 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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A beautifully handcrafted polished aluminum yo-yo, the Double-blind Orbiter was made by master machinist Frank Difeo of the United States. The shape is reminiscent of Duncan's wooden Satellite and Shrieking Sonic Satellite yo-yo models from the 1960s. Came with extra strings, a custom yo-yo stand, weight O-ring set, and metal container. Used a grooved ball bearing axle.
The Double-blind Orbiter had a unique O-ring weight system that let you optionally customize the placement of weight on the yo-yo to alter its performance.
Weight of the yo-yo with:
• No added rings - 59.5 grams
• Two inner rings (center weighted) - 64 grams
• Two outer rings (rim weighted) - 66.5 grams
• Four rings (full weighted) - 71 grams
From Frank:
"There were actually two slightly different versions of the Blind Orbiter released. At first I was making the area where the Dif-e-Yo logo goes like I was making the Collector versions where I had to press a coin-shaped slug into the hollowed out face and just put a Dif-e-Yo foil sticker on there for the Blind Orbiter. Then I changed to hollowing out the spot the same way, but this time leaving a post sticking [up] in the center with a flat top inside that hollow and sticking the Dif-e-Yo dome stickers on top of the recessed post. Much easier and nicer design."
Original retail price: $65 US.
Three different versions of the Orbiter were created by Frank:
• Version 1 - Double-blind Orbiter - This version was the first in the Orbiter series. Solid body with a center hub nub on each halve that was covered by a side cap disc.
• Version 2 - Blind Orbiter - This version was the second model in the Orbiter series. Solid body with a hollowed out area surrounding the center hub nub post on each halve.
• Version 3 - Orbiter - This version was the third and final model in the Orbiter series. Eight "windows" are cut out of each body halve and the center hub nubs are covered by a side cap disc.
Frank P. Difeo, 71, of Bradford, MA, passed away unexpectedly at Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, March 3, 2024. | |
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