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Date:         Fri, 15 Dec 1995 12:22:56 -0300
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         johnny89 <johnny89@io.com>
Subject:      Re: Variable temp solder iron.

I've thought about doing this as well, as my 25W for CBs just doen't cut it for taking care of my auto needs, although I have been using it. Only one thing you forgot to mention: What iron are you using with your rheostat? Did you get a new one or are you just using your 40?

I'm trying to think of a project I saw once that allowed you to see how much juice you were giving your appliance but I have no idea where it is, nor the time to figure it out for myself (it had a nice digital display...)

Just curious...

J89

>I have lusted after the Weller variable temp irons for a while now >but couldn't justify the cost for my limited tinkering and repair. I >have 2 irons, a 25W one I use for circuit boards and a 40W one that >works nice for automotive wire. > >The problem is the 40W model just plain gets too hot and scorches my >flux and degrades the tinning solder. So, using some cross-platform >technology from bee-keeping, i now have a variable temp iron. > >In bee-keeping, we use a 'hot knife' for removing the wax cappings >from the frames of honey. Same problem as the soldering irons-- the >hot knife gets too hot sorching the wax and honey, even tho it has a >crude on/off regulating thermostat. I built a 110V rheostat that >allows me to regulate temps or speeds on a variety of devices. >Essentially, it is a rotary lamp dimmer wired to a 110V receptacle >and placed on a line cord. Plug the device into the outlet, set the >dimmer to whatever output you need and the rest is Duck Soup. > >Here's what you need: >-metal 2-gang junction box. ~$2 >-600W dimmer. $8 >-110V outlet. $0.69 >-dual cover plate that has and opening for the 110v outlet and a wall >switch. $1. >-3M rubber feet. $2 >-old 3 wire extension cord. >-metal line cord clamp for junction boxes. >-a few wire nuts. > >Wire the dimmer to control the 110v outlet. cut off the female end >of the old extension cord and wire this to the dimmer. mount all >this in the junction box. as the old saying goes, if you need more >detail than this you shouldn't be trying it. add the cover plate to >the box and put rubber feet on the bottom of it. now all i do is >plug in this rheostat box to an outlet, plug my solder iron or hot >knife into the controlled 110v receptacle, and crank to the best temp. > >This allows me to have my iron on for extended periods without it >turning to a black crust, yet have enough heat to really do a nice >job. > >-dan

/ ! ) <+) (") (.> ---Hey! Support your local scene! WEBscene, that is! /( )\/( )\/( )\ VOLKSADDICT, webscene for aircooled enthusiasts | | | | | | http://www.io.com/~johnny89/Volksaddict ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Feed my eyes


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