Great job Crash! This should meet my needs perfect. I would suggest you put a picture of the schematic you link to on your online presentation. I gotta tell you, once I had that other guys schematic (you actually link to it) it was easy.
Looking at similar transformers, the advertized max (2 amp) amperage rating is for the center tap with half the advertized voltage (12.6). Therefore when using 25.2, Volts I would think you only have 1 amp rating. Hence the power (Current X Voltage) is constant. However If it’s working well who gives a……
Great project! I built one of these last night in a little over an hour and it cost me about $30. Works great! I'm using 30ga Nichrome on a 48" bow, and it gets plenty hot. Makes very nice cuts in EPS. Even at 48", I can't put full power to it or it deforms the wire. Probably could drive 60" of wire without a problem. Thanks for the great video!
(5/5) Also, I'd like to note that after burning up 2 transformers,a switch, & about 10 fuses, as I bought my 3rd transformer, i noticed it was in different packaging. On the back in the corner, in tiny font, in Spanish (I'm bilingual), it indicated a 2A OUTPUT current and 0.760A INPUT current. That's how I found out the true currents. When I was pulling 13A on the output side, the input was pulling <2A,hence the fuse never blew, & my transformers overheated instead. This was using 19 gauge wire.
(4/5) ALSO, I have determined that on a 16" length of wire (which is what I'm using), the LARGEST diameter wire you can safely use is 28 Gauge (stainless steel - 304 grade - jewelry wire). 28 Gauge wire pulls 3.5A max on the output side at full power,but cuts best at 2.0A on the output side of the transformer. That is maximum current pull allowed right there. 30 Gauge works much better, however, yielding 2A max current and cutting best at 1.0 - 1.25A, again,on the output side of the transformer.
(3/5) Stainless steel jewelry wire is used to make bead necklaces and bracelets, for instance.Ok, the 1 big mistake Crash:The transformer is rated at 2A OUTPUT current, but only 0.760A input current. You placed the fuse on the INPUT side, so you must use either a .75A slow blow fuse or a 1A fast blow fuse in your setup, NOT a 2A fuse. 2A on the input side corresponds to nearly 11-13A on the output side. I also blew 2 transformers. I suggest adding another fuse holder & 2A fuse on theOUTPUT side.
(2/5).30 AWG stainless steel wire is the best, as it prevents pulling too much current and burning things up. If you use a longer bow, however, the wire will have more resistance overall & you may get away with larger diameter (ex: 26 AWG) stainless steel wire.A shorter bow, & you will need to use 30 AWG for sure. a very short bow & perhaps 32 AWG would be best. Also, I looked for days locally and could not find the wire *anywhere* until I realized it is sold at hobby stores as jewelry wire.
(1/5) VERY IMPORTANT TO READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BLOW TRANSFORMERS!!!
Thank you Crash for your excellent video! I loved it.I built the hot-wire foam cutter and it works amazingly. Again, very thorough and well-made. However, you made one critical mistake which is costing us a lot of transformers. :) Also, an important note would be to please *not* tell us that any wire will due, as this is incorrect. I have found that on a 16" wire strand, 28 AWG stainless steel wire is the LARGEST one can use.
Great job Crash! This should meet my needs perfect. I would suggest you put a picture of the schematic you link to on your online presentation. I gotta tell you, once I had that other guys schematic (you actually link to it) it was easy.
Thanks amigo!
China Clipper
chinaclipper1 1 month ago
Looking at similar transformers, the advertized max (2 amp) amperage rating is for the center tap with half the advertized voltage (12.6). Therefore when using 25.2, Volts I would think you only have 1 amp rating. Hence the power (Current X Voltage) is constant. However If it’s working well who gives a……
fireflies355 1 month ago
I was looking around and the Transformer serial is incorrect. The correct one is
Model: 273-1512
noxnflame 4 months ago
Do you think a 12v tranformer will work?
p3x197 4 months ago in playlist p3x197's favourites
Great project! I built one of these last night in a little over an hour and it cost me about $30. Works great! I'm using 30ga Nichrome on a 48" bow, and it gets plenty hot. Makes very nice cuts in EPS. Even at 48", I can't put full power to it or it deforms the wire. Probably could drive 60" of wire without a problem. Thanks for the great video!
MedicDillahunty 4 months ago
I tried downloading this video for future references and couldn't, but I think that I probably be able to download it
Earl
earlsplanet 4 months ago
I may have missed this but do you know an approx cost for the build? Thanks Crash
lloydheins 6 months ago
Do you have a part number for the transformer you used. My radio shack rep thinks they don't sell transformers.
MrBurchillb 6 months ago
@MrBurchillb Please see the description under the video for all part numbers. :)
CrashHancock 6 months ago
(5/5) Also, I'd like to note that after burning up 2 transformers,a switch, & about 10 fuses, as I bought my 3rd transformer, i noticed it was in different packaging. On the back in the corner, in tiny font, in Spanish (I'm bilingual), it indicated a 2A OUTPUT current and 0.760A INPUT current. That's how I found out the true currents. When I was pulling 13A on the output side, the input was pulling <2A,hence the fuse never blew, & my transformers overheated instead. This was using 19 gauge wire.
panther3002 7 months ago
(4/5) ALSO, I have determined that on a 16" length of wire (which is what I'm using), the LARGEST diameter wire you can safely use is 28 Gauge (stainless steel - 304 grade - jewelry wire). 28 Gauge wire pulls 3.5A max on the output side at full power,but cuts best at 2.0A on the output side of the transformer. That is maximum current pull allowed right there. 30 Gauge works much better, however, yielding 2A max current and cutting best at 1.0 - 1.25A, again,on the output side of the transformer.
panther3002 7 months ago
(3/5) Stainless steel jewelry wire is used to make bead necklaces and bracelets, for instance.Ok, the 1 big mistake Crash:The transformer is rated at 2A OUTPUT current, but only 0.760A input current. You placed the fuse on the INPUT side, so you must use either a .75A slow blow fuse or a 1A fast blow fuse in your setup, NOT a 2A fuse. 2A on the input side corresponds to nearly 11-13A on the output side. I also blew 2 transformers. I suggest adding another fuse holder & 2A fuse on theOUTPUT side.
panther3002 7 months ago
(2/5).30 AWG stainless steel wire is the best, as it prevents pulling too much current and burning things up. If you use a longer bow, however, the wire will have more resistance overall & you may get away with larger diameter (ex: 26 AWG) stainless steel wire.A shorter bow, & you will need to use 30 AWG for sure. a very short bow & perhaps 32 AWG would be best. Also, I looked for days locally and could not find the wire *anywhere* until I realized it is sold at hobby stores as jewelry wire.
panther3002 7 months ago
(1/5) VERY IMPORTANT TO READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BLOW TRANSFORMERS!!!
Thank you Crash for your excellent video! I loved it.I built the hot-wire foam cutter and it works amazingly. Again, very thorough and well-made. However, you made one critical mistake which is costing us a lot of transformers. :) Also, an important note would be to please *not* tell us that any wire will due, as this is incorrect. I have found that on a 16" wire strand, 28 AWG stainless steel wire is the LARGEST one can use.
panther3002 7 months ago
does your wife trust you with two amps
Spicyperson9123 8 months ago
Anyone know where I can buy one of those transformers in Canada? We don't have radio shack anymore!
JohnnyFever72 1 year ago
@JohnnyFever72
the source still carries this item.
jpurcha 11 months ago
@JohnnyFever72 well there has got to be a reason why they don't have transformers up there, but get one from a neon sign
Spicyperson9123 8 months ago
Great job Crash! This is a GREAT tutorial thank you for sharing :D
Mark and Trish
kram242 1 year ago
Tweeted as many will be interested.
LIPOPILOT 1 year ago
Thanks Crash, THANKS, I think I'll have to build one of these.
tab1257 1 year ago
@tab1257 You are quite welcome! I've got some more cool things like this to share as soon as I can free up enough time to get them filmed.
CrashHancock 1 year ago