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Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/14/2002 1:39:24 AM   
Jetset



Posts: 801
Joined: 1/2/2002
From: Picton, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		To the people who use stainless steel wire for cutting foam-what is the thickness of wire that you use?
Thanks in Advance!
Myles

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Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/14/2002 8:10:55 PM   
Soar Head



Posts: 147
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: x, AK, AFGHANISTAN
Status: offline 		I have used .014 and .020 single strand steel fishing leader wire with good success.

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 2

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/14/2002 9:44:27 PM   
Ollie


 

Posts: 958
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Status: offline 		I use monel metal stainless fishing leader in sizes from 0.02 to 0.03 inches diameter.

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Regards, Ollie

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Source for leader - 3/14/2002 11:36:42 PM   
driegel



Posts: 15
Joined: 3/11/2002
From: SE Wisconsin
Status: offline 		Where are you finding your fishing leader? Been to a couple fishing/hunting shops nearby, they only carry pre-cut leader, no rolls or such. Even tried Walmart in desperation, still no luck. Thanks guys!

Don

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 4

Source for leader - 3/14/2002 11:44:01 PM   
driegel



Posts: 15
Joined: 3/11/2002
From: SE Wisconsin
Status: offline 		Where are you finding your fishing leader? Been to a couple fishing/hunting shops nearby, they only carry pre-cut leader, no rolls or such. Even tried Walmart in desperation, still no luck. Thanks guys!

Don

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 5

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/15/2002 12:54:39 AM   
TiGuy


 

Posts: 81
Joined: 1/9/2002
From: Denver, CO,
Status: offline 		Correct me if I'm wrong Ollie, but monel wire is used for big game fish. You won't find THAT kind of leader in WALMART! I mean BIG game fishing like Tuna, Marlin etc. My guess is to find a coastal sporting goods retailer (Not Cabella's) and order some. I'll have to get my father in Conneticut to get me some.

I too have been looking for a good foam cutting wire but have yet to find small enough stuff (.025 is the smallest so far...but WAY too big for me).

Ollie, thanks for suggesting monel. My father uses it on some of his deep trolling downrigger rigs for striped bass, so I know I can get that.

http://www.americanfishingwire.com/surfstrand.html

or

http://store.yahoo.com/tackle/malinleader.html

< Message edited by TiGuy -- Mar 14 2002 8:06PM >

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 6

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/15/2002 2:05:12 AM   
Soar Head



Posts: 147
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: x, AK, AFGHANISTAN
Status: offline 		I use exactly the stuff posted by TiGuy in this link.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TiGuy

http://store.yahoo.com/tackle/malinleader.html
[/QUOTE]

I mostly use .014 and .012. I found the .020 too large for my taste. The wire has only broken when I accidentally shorted it once. Ran full current through about 3" of the wire on the bow, and it burned in two.

I bought mine in a coastal community for about $3.00 each. I think it came in quantities less than the ~500' listed in the web site.

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 7

Monel Fishing Leader - 3/15/2002 2:51:23 AM   
Ollie


 

Posts: 958
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Status: offline 		A few years ago I bought a lifetime supply of 0.02 monel leader in WalMart for less than $5. I haven't checked lately. Tarpon fishing is a big time activity at Boca Grande, about 25 miles from here.

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Regards, Ollie

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       Post #: 8

Great info! - 3/15/2002 9:59:15 AM   
Jetset



Posts: 801
Joined: 1/2/2002
From: Picton, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Thanks guys! You know, sometimes I think to hard about stuff like this when the answer is as easy as asking on here and getting replies back from friendly, fellow modelers!
About the only power source I could readilt use right now is a 6, 12v battery charger. What do you think? Is it worth a try to get my feet wet with foam cutting?
Thanks again!
Myles

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Goin' fast in the Great White North!

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       Post #: 9

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/16/2002 12:20:26 AM   
TiGuy


 

Posts: 81
Joined: 1/9/2002
From: Denver, CO,
Status: offline 		I tried to use a battery charger at first and had rather dismal results. BUT, I was using a 50" bow. If you are using a 20-30" bow your results might be better. The charger wouldn't get the wire as hot as I like. Another idea is to use a model train transformer (so I am told) but the wimpy little one I tried was worse than the charger. A friend of mine used a deep cycle 12v truck battery with pretty good results. It's all a matter of amperage I guess...but I have no idea how much you really need.

The Tecoa thermal generator is simply the best way to go IMO.

Do you know anyone into model trains? The big transformers cost more than my thermal generator did.

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 10

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/19/2002 10:08:07 PM   
Valkyrie-RCU


 

Posts: 10
Joined: 3/5/2002
From: Dayton, OH,
Status: offline 		Years ago, I had good success with a lighting dimmer switch and an typical wall outlet connection. I wired a cord to the dimmer switch, that plugged into the wall, then the outlet wires of the dimmer switch went to the wall outlet plug. The cord to the hot wire cutter then plugged into the outlet plug. Hmmm.... not sure if I'm making sense. Anyway, I installed the dimmer switch and the wall outlet unit into an aluminum box I bought at Radio Shack. Worked well for me. I eventually got hold of a Variac, which is the thing to use, but they are expensive and somewhat hard to locate.

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[b][i]Ignorance is curable but stupidity is fatal....[/i][/b]

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       Post #: 11

Hotwire Power Supply - 3/20/2002 12:17:55 AM   
Ollie


 

Posts: 958
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Status: offline 		A dimmer switch without a stepdown, isolation transformer runs a serious risk of electrocution!!!!

The reason is that the dimmer switch works by chopping up the waveform rather than by reducing the peak voltage.

Handling the wires from a dimmer switch that isn't isolated is not much different than handling the wires coming directly from the outlet. It is seriously DANGEROUS!!!!

BTW most variacs are auto transformers which provide no isolation and consequently can prove lethal if you get across the output and ground.

VALKIRIE:
YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

_____________________________

Regards, Ollie

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 12

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/21/2002 2:55:11 AM   
Valkyrie-RCU


 

Posts: 10
Joined: 3/5/2002
From: Dayton, OH,
Status: offline 		Ollie,

I won't argue with you regarding your comment that I'm lucky to be alive. However, if one knows what they're dealing with and takes the appropriate precautions, I would argue that I and the countless others that have used dimmer switches and variacs, even without a step down transformer, are safer doing that than most people are standing on a flightline, flying with hotshots that can barely control their aircraft, especially when taking off and landing. That's not intended to be a "cute" reply nor do I want to create a side thread that strays from the subject. But, I do thank you for pointing out the dangers to those unaware of them if they choose to use a dimmer or variac. I should have included the disclaimers myself.

Regards to you.

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[b][i]Ignorance is curable but stupidity is fatal....[/i][/b]

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       Post #: 13

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/21/2002 8:47:34 AM   
Vince


 

Posts: 1650
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Nederland, Tx.
Status: offline 		Use the wire made for tig welding machines, get it in the smallest diameter you can. I have had very good results with 030" stainless steel wire. You can buy a lifetime supply role for relativly cheap.

Vince

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       Post #: 14

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/21/2002 6:53:14 PM   
winship


 

Posts: 151
Joined: 3/18/2002
From: Plainfield, IN, USA
Status: offline 		A Variac is my choice for a power supply. I never have used it over 16 volts. I prefer to use .014 solid music wire for cutting foam. If you need music wire that is under 36" long it can be obtained at hobby shops. If you need longer music wire try a hardware store that carries Malin's music wire. Malin Co. is located in Brook Park Ohio. I have never had much luck with nicrome wire due to the stretch. The welding wire and fishing leader sounds like a good source also.

A good source for a good used Variac are Ham Radio Fests. These guys have used them on their radios to boos power or to warm the radio tubes up before applying full voltage. I have never been to a Ham fest without seeing a few good ones for sale. Usually between $20.00 and $30.00 Type in Variac on the Google search engine and you will get a variety of choices also.

(in reply to Jetset)
       Post #: 15

Hot wire cutting foam-Stainless steel - 3/21/2002 8:43:04 PM   
bluesky123


 

Posts: 371
Joined: 1/8/2002
From: Boulder, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Superior Balsa sells thin non-steel wire (nichrome?) for $3. I'm using it with much success. My hot wire setup includes a variac and an old electric iron, retired by my wife. I interrupted one of the iron's wires and inserted there the variac and the nichrome wire on the bow. Work witout any problem if the variac can handle the power of the iron.

(in reply to Jetset)