Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Sun Jul 27, 2025 5:12 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:54 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I recently bought a bending blanket. The timer and temp. control are quite expensive and my plan was to hook up my own. The blanket has a weird plug end on it (I guess to keep people from plugging it directly into 110) Does anyone know where to get an adapter? I don't want to cut the cord and wipe out the warranty. What have you guys done?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:46 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:01 am
Posts: 1399
Location: Houston, TX
First name: Chuck
Last Name: Hutchison
City: Houston
State: Texas
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Does it look like the same kind of plug that goes in the back of your computer?

Mine did and I just used an old computer plug in wire thingy. Worked like it was made for it.

_________________
"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:19 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Bingo!!! bliss bliss Chuck, you're a genius! Do you have a temp. control on yours? Does a regular dimmer switch work for that?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:42 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:51 am
Posts: 1310
Location: Michigan,U.S.A.
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
What is the wattage on your blanket? You have to be carful using a dimmer as they have a smaller wattage requirement on them in most i've seen.You need a controler that can handle the watts of the blanket.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:13 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Looks like it's 1035 watts. I'm going to see watt regular lighting dimmers can handle. Thanks Mark


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:32 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:56 am
Posts: 1825
Location: Grover NC
First name: Woodrow
Last Name: Brackett
City: Grover
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28073
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Randolph wrote:
Looks like it's 1035 watts. I'm going to see watt regular lighting dimmers can handle. Thanks Mark

A regular dimmer will only handle 600 watts or less. I use a router speed control. http://grizzly.com/products/Router-Speed-Control-15-Amp/G3703 I don't have a timer, but a timer is a good idea. I've got a BIG sign that says "BLANKET ON" that I hang inside my shop door when I'm bending.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:35 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Ok, so it looks like they have 1000 watt dimmers (I think this will be fine since the blanket will never be operating at full wattage). A timer and the dimmer together are less than half of the packaged device. Now this looks do-able! Thanks for the help Mark and Chuck.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:09 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:51 am
Posts: 1310
Location: Michigan,U.S.A.
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
This is what i use. Got it off ebay


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:36 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Woody, it's true that a regular dimmer will handle 600 watts max. I found another one that will go 1000. I'm not sure what the router speed controls will handle but they seem to work fine for you and Mark (probably others) Great advice - thanks. It looks like the router controls are even less than this dimmer!! Thanks.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:44 pm 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian
Old Growth Brazilian

Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 1:56 am
Posts: 10707
Location: United States
Randolph wrote:
Woody, it's true that a regular dimmer will handle 600 watts max. I found another one that will go 1000.


careful most inexpensive home dimmers are rated at 300w. 600 and 1000 watts are equally available as well but the standard dimmer or lest expensive is 300w so be sure to read the packaging. Don't assume it is 600w or greater


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:50 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:34 pm
Posts: 639
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
First name: Randolph
Last Name: Morris
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks Michael. The dimmer I found is at a local wholesale electric supply house. It's not that common and not that cheap ($52.00) It is rated for 1000w. It does sound like the router speed controls will do the same thing for half that amount. Appreciate your concern.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:21 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:58 am
Posts: 2774
Location: Tampa, Florida USA
Like Todd said. HF and you can use it with your routers too. I got a 1 hour timer from Home Depot.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com