Anyone ever use one? I'm kicking around the idea of a poly-hydral, white foam and tape speed 400 trainer for my son. I'd like to do it as cheaply as possible and have many computer power supplies available due to my job. I would think that 250 watts and 12.6 volts should work, but?

Thanks

Dave

Computer Power Supplies work fine.
I use one to successfully cut foam.
I have found that 0.016" Guitar wire gives a good temperature for cutting foam. I have also tried 0.010" wire but doesn't work as well as it has a higher resistance therefore doesn't get as hot. The Guitar wire is approx. 3' long.

I actually have two pieces of guitar wire and use one for tensioning and also as a variable resistance. Just connect an aligator clip on the wire and slide it along to change the cutting temperature.
ans ASCII drawing of the bow

*------tension wire---------*
* *
*****************************
* *
*________cutting wire_______*

The * characters represent the wooden frame.
Tension wire is connected to a small turn buckle for tightening the cutting wire.

hope the info will help you.

Lyndon

Bad ASCII picture will try this


<img
src="file:///C:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20FrontPage%20Express/temp/wpe767F.jpg"
width="539" height="359"></p>

<img src="file:///C:/bow.bmp"
width="1024" height="768">

but doesn't work as well as it has a higher resistance therefore doesn't get as hot.

actually the resistance is what makes it hot in the first place. if you were to use a superconductor it would prolly never get hot...hehehe.

Hey LyndonC,

Thanks for the reply. I'll give it a try soon.

Dave