Official Luthiers Forum!

Check out this article...
http://soundsalon.com/2007/02/05/make-a-hot-pipe-bending-iro n/

My question though was where do you get the BBQ lighter?
I'd give that a shot I guess.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Looks like Lowes carries them and I,ve seen them at Wayy World. Hope that helps.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

[QUOTE=Dave Rickard] Looks like Lowes carries them and I,ve seen them at Wally World. Hope that helps.[/QUOTE]
Corrected

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Chansen, the address you posted leads to a page that says "We were unable to find any articles in our library matching your search request."

Do you have a link to the article?

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Maybe Wal-Mart (Can you say that?), Target or one of the Big Box stores.  I used to see them more often before gas grills got so popular.  I saw that article too.  It looked pretty easy to build.  You probably wouldn't have to tap the pipe.  You could probably put a nut inside and out.

I'm using an old 210 watt soldering iron, inside of an 8" long x 2" round piece of tubular brass turning stock (1/4" walls).  I need a controller.  Tried a 600 watt dimmer, but it does not work. It's like all or nothing.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

[QUOTE=Arnt]Chansen, the address you posted leads to a page that says "We were unable to find any articles in our library matching your search request."

Do you have a link to the article?[/QUOTE]

I caught the error.  It was in the last word - the space between the o and the n in iron.  Take it out and the link will work.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

i'm no electrical maven, but my very limited understanding tells me that a dimmer should modulate the heating capacity of your soldering iron. it has worked for me in the past.

comments regarding the materials used: a residential 600w dimmer would handle the charcoal lighter with no troubles at half the cost. thick wall aluminium tubing would be preferrable to steel because it transfers heat better. also steel can stain some woods. ordinary electrical tape is not suitable for high heat situations. electrical shrink tubing or high temp insulated wire should be used.

[QUOTE=crazymanmichael]i'm no electrical maven, but my very limited understanding tells me that a dimmer should modulate the heating capacity of your soldering iron. it has worked for me in the past.QUOTE]

Maybe I need to play with it some more.  The iron is so heavy that it responds slowly.  Also, maybe the dimmer will have greater effect in the low end of the range.  I'm not very knowledgeable about the resistance effect in AC current.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

A quick look on the 'net indicates that 500W is a common rating for charcoal lighters. A 200w iron is probably at the low end of the power range for heating a bending pipe- it depends a lot on how effectively (by contact?) the heat is being transferred. Sometimes winding a coil of sheet metal into the pipe can help with conduction..
A dimmer will definitely control your iron. Lots of folks use 'router speed controls' for this purpose as well. At the low power 200W range I wouldn't worry too much about control-run it wide open. Just keep a wet rag handy to cool down the pipe if it gets too hot. There is a fair bit of touch/skill involved in hand bending and you can compensate for the heat level.

I went through all this - at the concept level only- a while back. I ended up buying a used (once) LMII bender on eBay for about $100 delivered. It's very slow to heat up, but works well, and won't start a fire (easily) if left unattended for a few minutes.

Years ago I used a propane torch-type bender which works very well and is quickly controllable as well... though a bit crude.

Cheer
John

This sucker, while low wattage, gets my pipe up to just over 500* if left on at full power.  It is very slow too, and because of its weight, holds the heat for a long time, even when turned off.  I have it purposly suspended in the pipe with only a washer at one end and the handle of the iron at the other.  I drilled a small hole part way through the brass tube to hold up the thermometer so I can see it.

Here is another question.  Is it easier to bend with the pipe vertical or horizontal?  I see both being demonstrated.  I'm sure it is probably just a personal preference.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

This beats a torch and a piece of galvanized pipe anyday !

 

Thanks for the link

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Reguards,

Ken H

I was at the BORG this evening in the plumbing department and happened to notice the heating elements for water heaters. One of the 120V models (about $17) would probably do the job as well as was just about the right length.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

as someone already mentioned above, hot water heaters will overheat without the water to absorb the heat, and are then are a fire risk. do not try to use one.