I've done almost all that you have mentioned (minus the fray check, but I HAVE destroyed several machines in other ways), but one thing that hasn't been mentioned..I was ironing steam a seam to some appliques and...yup, the adhesive ironed onto the iron. It ruined the plate as I was never able to get most of it off. It now sits in the box of the new iron I had to buy. Oh and I was doing appliques and... damn, you think I'd learn.