Hot Plate Questions

[Randy C]

You can see mine on the left side of the Pic, The Temp is not adjustable I switch in-between moulds to fast to weary about it.

We ate many of taco's off this plate at lunch time, Bertllo would make them for us,
We were working for Smart Drywall, in Texas.

[Bob in St. Louis]

What temp are you guys running them at?

[Mike W1]

What temp are you guys running them at?

380° F but I use this type TC on the aluminum plate on top as the response time seems to be a lot better than using a stem type TC. Get's me a mold temperature around 315° F while my pot is warming up.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Roger that, thank you.

[Hamish]

What temp are you guys running them at?

I'm betting "WFO" is not the answer you're looking for,,,,,,,,,

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

What temp are you guys running them at?

You'll probably have to experiment, as they vary. Start low and work up.
Mine has Low, Med, High. and lots of notches inbetween.
I run mine on Low or one notch above low.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I'm betting "WFO" is not the answer you're looking for,,,,,,,,,

Is that's "Wide Frigging Open"?
HAHA!

[Soundguy]

I have an older single coil cheapy that was leftover from college days decades ago.

[lightman]

Thanks for the replys everyone. I was planning on hitting some of the thrift stores or Goodwill on Thursday along with the monthly Sam's trip but the weather changed those plans. The 1/2 inch of snow that we got would not be anything for most of you Northern guys but its enough to bring everything to a standstill down here. I can drive in it but most of the public goes into "stupid" mode as soon as the first flake hits the ground. Its better to just avoid the stupidity and make new plans. So, next week I'll go shopping! Prolly be back up to 70 by then!

[Soundguy]

Might not be worth driving around burning gas to find a 1-5$ hot plate when Wally mart has 11$ ones

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Elite-Cui...ingMethod=p13n

[Bob in St. Louis]

With a warranty too.

[lightman]

You guys make a good point on driving around but I planned to scan the shelves for any pewter items that might be there. Still is prolly a waste of time and fuel, we just don't find any pewter around here. That open coil model for $10 is just what I had in mind.

[lightman]

Is 750 watts enough heat for a mold? I don't plan to melt lead on it but I can see pre heating a few ingots.

[Soundguy]

I smelted lead in a stainless pan with my single coil.

[huntnman]

I bought mine at Walgreens, IIRC $9.99+ tax. about five years ago.

[catmandu]

I assume it's a thermocouple. Can you share info on it. Where you bought it, J or K, $$

Thanks,
paul

[catmandu]

I was asking Mike W1. My post didn't copy his.

[Mike W1]

I assume it's a thermocouple. Can you share info on it. Where you bought it, J or K, $$

Thanks,
paul

Without going out and actually checking the threads on the TC I'm not sure but I'm pretty much thinking it was one of those that likely came with a package when I bought a Rex PID. It was metric so had to buy a tap to mount it the way I did. Tap is marked M6X1H2. Know I also bought one from Auber which was 1/4x20. Anyhow on the hot plate I use a 1/4" disk of aluminum. Took a small 1/2" of aluminum and drilled and tapped a hole in that for the TC. Bolted the small piece to the larger disk, countersinking the bolts and used thermal paste to ensure good contact. Nothing fancy but it seems to work well, my Auber holding it easily ± 1° F. K type BTW.

[lightman]

Just to follow up on this, I bought a new one at Walmart. Less than $10. I think its the same one that Soundguy posted a link to. Now to find an old saw blade and a large soup can. Thanks for the suggestion guys!