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 Post subject: To the UK'ers out there
PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:01 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Location: Norway
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First off i don't know if it's appropriate to post this. If not mods please just delete.

I've been looking for a transformer 220-110v for some time. I've found several from the UK on e-bay, but noone seems to want to ship to Norway. i've looked at some 3.3Kva site transformers.
If there's any of you UK residents willing to help out with shipping, i'll make it worth your while. PM me please.

Frank

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:25 pm 
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Location: San Jose, CA
First name: Dave
Last Name: Fifield
City: San Jose
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Zip/Postal Code: 95124
Country: USA
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Hi Frank,

They sell these transformers at my local Fry's Electronics store here in San Jose. They are reasonably cheap too. The problem is that they are heavy, so the shipping would be expensive from here. If you want, we can cost one out and see if you want to get one. I will need to know how much power you intend to convert - that is, how many watts is the appliance/s you intend to attach to the transformer. There are many different sizes - we would have to pick the right one for your appliance/s.

Cheers,
Dave F.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:52 pm 
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Dave for now i've got the heat blanket setup from john hall which is 800watts. but i want something that would enable me to run at least lam trimmers on also. not sure how big it would need to be rated to handle the startup surge of a 1KW lam trimmer.
thanks,

Frank

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:35 pm 
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I use the 3.3Kv 110/220 site transformer to run 110v stuff in the UK, including John Hall's heat blanket and my laminate trimmers and routers, I bought mine from Axminster in the UK, they do international shipping as a number of the other European guys here also get stuff from them. They are the first stop over here for any tools. These transformers are heavy though and shipping may be expensive.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/2/product-Carroll-Meynell-110V-Site-Transformers-23256.htm

Give them an e-mail they'll always try and help.

Colin

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:42 pm 
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Thanks Colin, i've tried a couple others previously but the one i found that said to ship abroad never got back to me.
Shipping from UK will be lot better than from US i should think.
I'll give these guys a try.

Frank

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:28 pm 
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Being a bit green here sorry, but are transformers only needed with US tools used in Britain, because of the difference in voltage? On the Axminster site, it recommends the transformer complying with current health & safety laws. I'm wondering whether I need to get one now.

Heartily recommend Axminster. I go there first before anywhere else for tooling/finishing needs.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:46 pm 
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Location: West Scotland
hi Frank
I’ll sail over this from John o’ Groats weekend with one, see you in Stavanger, what color do you fancy?.
yours Geordie

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:57 pm 
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Koa
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Sam Price wrote:
Being a bit green here sorry, but are transformers only needed with US tools used in Britain, because of the difference in voltage? On the Axminster site, it recommends the transformer complying with current health & safety laws. I'm wondering whether I need to get one now.

Heartily recommend Axminster. I go there first before anywhere else for tooling/finishing needs.



Building sites in the UK require them Sam.

We have one of them in the shed that Dave brought out here with him.

Bob

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm 
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Location: United Kingdom
you will find that most power tools are sold as 110v these days becouse of the health and safty regs that say all workshop and site tools must at 110v.

frank i have a ups account that i can ship anything to the e.u for £15.
if this helps let me know i would be happy to forward anything to you,

Joel.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:55 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Don't forget you'll need your plugs as well.

Colin

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:04 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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bob_connor wrote:


Building sites in the UK require them Sam.

We have one of them in the shed that Dave brought out here with him.

Bob


Thanks Bob,

I'll get one when my power tooling increases, which is quite likely when I acquire a workshop
separate from the home (able then to make more noise :mrgreen: )


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:41 am 
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frank777 wrote:
Shipping from UK will be lot better than from US i should think.


That's an understatement. Shipping heavy items form the US to Europe is insanely costly now since USPS won't do surface shipping anymore, and it seems very difficult to arrange shipping by sea by other freight companies. I would not even consider having a transformer of this size shipped from there by air, I bet it would quadruple the cost of the thing. Shipping within Europe is still not that bad, but as the petroleum prizes continue to soar I'm sure prizes will rise over here as well.

My site transformer has the same specs as Colin’s, and I have been very happy with it. I bought mine used from the UK via Ebay, so apart from shipping the price was quite low. Good tip from Colin about the plugs! As a temporary solution (what, 3 years now?) I have an extension cord going from the transformer so I can use regular 230 V plugs on my 110 V tools, which is asking for disaster of course. I do have all 110 V equipment clearly marked as such, but I fear I’ll forget some day and…

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:23 pm 
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geoadams wrote:
hi Frank
I’ll sail over this from John o’ Groats weekend with one, see you in Stavanger, what color do you fancy?.
yours Geordie


Wow, I would definitely take you up on that if it weren't for the fact that my wife is in the last stage of her pregnancy and i'm on standby to take her to the hospital, Stavanger is a 2 1/2 hr drive away.

Frank

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