Hello,
Have spent several hours researching how to build a Hot Wire here and know that i should invest in a Variac. ( only batteryn chargers i can find are automatic and even they cost as much as the variacs i can find here in Sweden)
Question: Which kind of power spec do i need ? I can get one that has output voltage of 0-262V and 3amp current ( nominal) and 5amp max.
Is this an appropriate Variac ?
I will be making a 80cm wire.
Thanks for any help.
That’s a good one at a good price. All you would need to add is the proper plug/adapter.
McDing:
I have two of these.
Mine were a $150.00 each including tax
thanks guys,
but what about the powere rating? the ones i can get in sweden are 0-262 v and there are different models that go from 1amp to 50 amp. the more powerful ones are bigger and more expensive so i dont want to over do it…
I have a 5 amp and it works great.
I’ve read here on Sways that a 3 amp is ideal.
Hi tom, you could also try a second hand variac for model railways, usually available at ebay for small money.
hi florian,
these seem to have low power, like 1amp. is this enough ?
i use one of those, it got enough power for shure. Only problem is that it gets a bit warm from time to time and then it switches off automatically. Try one that is very old, they’re more robust. I build like one surfboard a year, if you build one a week then of course you should probably invest in some proper equipment…
How about this one ?
I´m planning on building a big 16ft (4,8m) SUP.
Be a lot of cutting.
I guess i could just get this-costs 25 euros- not a big deal if it doesnot work—
T
looks almost like mine. like you said not much to loose: if it doesn’t work just sell it on ebay. Try different wire diameters, also the lenght of the cable from the variac to the cutting wire affects the resistance notably.
10VA is not enough!
You should look for at least 60VA.
I use an old computer PSU. I get them for free. Just go to your local recycle place and ask if you can take one out (or take one from your old computer).
I use the rule of “60W per meter of wire” and adapt the resistance of my wire to it instead of the voltage.
I know a variac doesn’t require calculation, but you can’t go cheaper than a computer PSU and you find them everywhere. You only need to calculate this once in your life and you always have a cheap and consistant cutting wire.
go ahead and do it garage style.
What do I know?
“You can lead a horse to water however you cannot make him drink”!
Kind regards,
surfding
Surfding,
I´m still thinking Variac.** Now i know what i need- **just gotta figure out if i really want to start this project.
I´d prefer to design the whole thing in CAD and have someone CNC it for me, but thats looking impossible or cost prohibitive.
Thanks everyone.
Tom:
Design it in SHAPE 3D VERSION X
Have it built in FRANCE
Once you design your file I can give it a look over before you produce it if you like?
Kind regards,
surfding
surfding, who in france can cnc it for me ? ill go thisroute if i can. cad part is easy for me. been doing cad 20 years.
OK, Ive got my garage set up with shaping lamps and making shaping stands this week end.
now and ready to start making the tools-
So gotta get the varivac, and i´m OK on investing a little- but theres a limit. This one will cost 200usd- cheapest i can find so far…
I can get this, is it the right spec? :
Input voltage: 230V
Output voltage: 0-260V
Frequency: 50-300Hz
Load: max 6 A cont. 5 A
I also get a DC power supply for a lab.
0-30V
3amp max
90W max
cost 150 USD-