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Help - Broken electric bending iron
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Author:  Corky Long [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Help - Broken electric bending iron
Does anyone have any experience with basic electric bending irons? I purchased this one about a year and a half ago, (looks just like the Stewmac version) and its been pretty flaky - now it won't work at all. As I plug it in and turn it up to high it seems to be making a "clicking" noise every 10 seconds or so - but it's not getting hot. I've taken it apart carefully, to see if there were any poor connections, but no soap

Any ideas? Thanks!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
I'm not sure who carries them, LMI, I think, but replacement heating elements are available for those bending irons, if that's the problem.
Author:  radsboy [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
I have never seen one of those units - but if it was the heating element that had failed, you could confirm that by doing a continuity test across it with a simple multi-tester: if it reads open it is no good but if it reads as being a dead short or nearly so then it's probably ok and whatever circuit is used for a thermostat is likely the problem -

David
Author:  askins [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
I am not familiar with how these are wired but, the clicking is usually a thermostat or a hi-limit.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
Image

Is it like this one?

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... nding+Iron

Luthiers Merchantile offers a replacement element for 35.40 USD. They do not offer a switch, my guess is that it doesn't go bad since they don't offer it. Both 110 and 220 international voltages same price.

Once you open it up, see if it has continuity through the heating element. This may not be too bad to get it going again. Have you ever walked away and left it on for a week or two? I have. Don't tell my insurance man.

Interesting note I found at LMII on this baby:

Please Note: Never leave this bending iron on high heat for more than one minute as it may damage the heating element.

What? I didn't know that. No one ever reads the instructions.
Author:  Corky Long [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
David, Waddy, Bruce,

Thanks for your help. Yes, the iron looks a lot like that one (photo above).

I'll get a continuity tester. And yeah, I actually did read those instructions about leaving it on for too long, but frankly, I haven't been able to get it hot enough to get the job done without cranking it up to "high" for a while. Would be nice if they made these things well enough that they could be used as designed. Thanks again.
Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
Corky, if it is clicking then I agree it sounds like a thermal cutoff or thermostat. It could also be the switch; just because LMI doesn't sell them doesn't mean they can't go bad.

Sounds like you're not real familiar with electrical circuits. If that is the case then I would recommend you find someone with a meter and the right qualifications; they should be able to help you sort it out quickly and safely.
Author:  npalen [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
I have purchased both the replacement switch/thermostat as well as the heat element from STEWMAC.
Nelson Palen
Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help - Broken electric bending iron
I expected mine to run quite a bit hotter too, but it can bend 0.8" rosewood without much effort at 5, maybe 6 for a tight waist. Didn't need Hi yet.
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