Need a little help with nichrome wire

[kvflyer]

hey guys Im setting up a foam cutter on an old dremel jigsaw "taking out the blade and using nichrome wire" heres the deal>>>>>>>>> the power is from an old train transformer 120V 45watts, I have 2 leads "gator clips" from the transformer and 2 gator clips hooked at each end of the nichrome wire.....
if the leads to the wire "gator clips" isnt hooked up exactly to the wire ends it wont get any juice and is prolly shorting out on the saw blade holder thierfore wont transfer power to the wire, or so Im guessing.........



previously when I was cutting foam wings was using a 30 In. wood bow so the nichrome wire was also 30In. and the transformer was "not heating up" the problem is the transformer is getting way too hot with this dremel setup !! any suggestions?

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by kvflyer

hey guys Im setting up a foam cutter on an old dremel jigsaw "taking out the blade and using nichrome wire" heres the deal>>>>>>>>> the power is from a train transformer 120V 45watts, I have 2 leads "gator clips" from the transformer and 2 gator clips hooked at each end of the nichrome wire.....
if the leads to the wire "gator clips" isnt hooked up exactly to the wire ends it wont get any juice and is prolly shorting out on the saw blade holder thierfore wont transfer power to the wire, or so Im guessing.........

the problem is the transformer is getting too hot, any suggestions?

previously when I was cutting foam wings was using a 30 In. wood bow so the nichrome wire was also 30In. and the transformer was "not heating up" get the picture?

the gator clips are add to much resistance and getting things hot, hook up the cutting wire in a more direct solid way, use thick 12 gauge wire from the transformer to the cutting wire, use a thinner cutting wire to keep the transformer heat down, make sure every thing is well insulated hope that helps, Chellie

[CHELLIE]

with the 30" bow you had more resistance in the wire, with a shorter wire you dont have the resistance needed to get hot enough to cut the foam with out the transformer getting hot, a smaller dia. cutting wire should be the cure. you can use guitar strings for the cutting wire, hope that helps, Chellie

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...ot+wire+cutter


http://www.hhhh.org/~joeboy/resource...am_cutter.html



I think you can use from .008 to .030 wire nichrome wire. or .030 stainless steel fishing line
0.008 to 0.015-inch (thickness) single-wire steel guitar strings (available at your local music store)

[kvflyer]

Originally Posted by CHELLIE

the gator clips are add to much resistance and getting things hot, hook up the cutting wire in a more direct solid way, use thick 12 gauge wire from the transformer to the cutting wire, use a thinner cutting wire to keep the transformer heat down, make sure every thing is well insulated hope that helps, Chellie

so in other words run a heavier insulated wire like lamp cord from the tranny to where the nichrome attaches w/o gator clips right? and in what areas do you mean "well insulated?

BTW SIG still sells real nichrome wire and is the dia. of a bottom string on an electric guitar,if not smaller

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by kvflyer

so in other words run a heavier insulated wire like lamp cord from the tranny to where the nichrome attaches w/o gator clips right? and in what areas do you mean "well insulated?

BTW SIG still sells real nichrome wire and is the dia. of a bottom string on an electric guitar,if not smaller

light cord wire will work, its 14 gauge, the smaller wire dia. the better for a short cutting wire, because there is less resistance with a shorter wire span, so you have to use a thinner wire to get the resistance and heat, hope that helps, Chellie

[kvflyer]

dont mean to sell anyone short but nothing that was suggested worked, however with some fooling around was able to use 2 5in. nichrome wires coming off the reostat then gator clips attached to those going to the short nichrome cutting wire, a bit premative but what the hay,the temp can be controlled and life is good