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jdougn Guru
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 714 Location: Louisville KY area
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Hot_Wheels wrote: | Do you know if I can use a dimmer or not? |
Electrically, if the dimmer is rated to handle the load of the oven you can. For thicker plastics I've used a "percentage timer" or the same type of controls a range top has. They automatically come on, then go off as they get to temp.
dn _________________ DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions. |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the help Doug! So tonight we wired up the heater and laid it on the cement (just in case) we turned it on and with a laser temp probe for about 3-4 minutes we had 320-300 degrees! this was outside in the wind on the cold ground so it may have been hotter but to many variables. For wiring my since we needed a fuse and a switch my brother had the idea of cannibalizing a surge protector strip which has a switch and a 15 amp reset-able breaker. The only think that was strange inside the power strip was a circuit board, Do you have any idea what this board would be for? I was thinking about eliminating it from the circuit due to i don't think its needed but i'm really curious what its for. It does have 2 status leds coming off it to show power. I cant imagine that board would just be for the leds?
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jdougn Guru
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 714 Location: Louisville KY area
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Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:06 am Post subject: |
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Great first test of the oven! Looks like the power strip stuff is going to work out well for you. I have no idea on the circuit board. I wonder if it has something to do with the surge protection? _________________ DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions. |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:45 am Post subject: |
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Well I removed that circuit board and mounted the heaters. I used a meter to make sure nothing was touching ground. I added a safety ground to the metal box (just in case!). Everything is wired just not permanently secured Due to I want to make sure I can heat a 18x18 area. If I can't do this I will have to reduce my planton and heater box. I'm hoping to have a test pull this weekend. Reminder to check and make sure homeowners insurance is paid up to date! (Just in case!)
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jdougn Guru
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 714 Location: Louisville KY area
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:18 am Post subject: |
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Looks pretty good. Keep in mind the wire will sag as it heats up so you'll want to keep a close eye on that. I hope the pull goes well for you this weekend!
dn _________________ DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions. |
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Fredo Master
Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 251 Location: Kingdom of Nye Area 51
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 8:54 am Post subject: |
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Why don't you buy a GFI duplex outlet and replace the one you're using... The circuit board was proubly the GFI... Let us know if it was ![Smile](images/smiles/icon_smile.gif) _________________ If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you,
it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun...The Dalai Lama..Seattle 2001 |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:56 am Post subject: |
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well i chalk it up as a success! I think the plug needs a little more tweaking though because it seems to have a little bit of waiving on the inside. Im thinking of using Mod podge glaze, do you know if that will come off with the heat? or is there any other material you would suggest?
here is the last pull
this one got a little to hot but it was a nice deep vacuum, you can see it boiled again and bubbled!
close up of bubbles, over heating?
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jdougn Guru
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 714 Location: Louisville KY area
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Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Well that's looks like a decent enough first pull. Did you get the depth and definition that you wanted? I don't know much at all about the characteristics of the different clear plastics. Seem to recall that some absorb moisture real quick though so that could be the problem.
Anytime a new material is used, like the hodge podge glue, I would suggest testing it first. I've tried stuff before that other people thought would work fine only to find that it melted and locked the hot plastic to the mold and nearly destroyed the entire thing. _________________ DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions. |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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I bought some modge podge acrylic spray the lady at michaels suggested but I wonder if it will come off on the plastic? I might try another fine layer of bondo to see if I can get the plug smoother. The depth was close. |
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jdougn Guru
Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 714 Location: Louisville KY area
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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Hot_Wheels wrote: | I bought some modge podge acrylic spray the lady at michaels suggested but I wonder if it will come off on the plastic? I might try another fine layer of bondo to see if I can get the plug smoother. The depth was close. |
A lot of stuff like that will melt under the heat then bond to the plastic when everything cools off enough. Try it on a scrap first or something. _________________ DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions. |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 12:27 am Post subject: |
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I'm still working on perfecting this. After some research it seems my issue is moisture. I'm working on a new mold but it's been a slow expensive process! |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Doug should I try forming with the protective plastic layer on to see if that helps keep the moisture away? |
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Hot_Wheels Newbie
Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 22
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:16 am Post subject: |
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So i have made some recent changes. I made a deeper heater box. I'm working on adding a electronic temperature controller to help maintain a proper temperature as well as made some better molds. I am just waiting on some high temp wire for the elements and pick up some more plastic for testing.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/Hot_Wheels/Mobile%20Uploads/20150228_004057_zpsh9sq9te1.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/Hot_Wheels/20150224_232711_zpsp6ki2imd.jpg) |
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backyard_cnc Novice
Joined: 01 Nov 2014 Posts: 26
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 12:57 am Post subject: |
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nice vacuum gauge I wonder where you sourced it?
Gerald |
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