Die Heater.....

[supe47]

Has anyone ever tried one of these? Plastic Injection Machine Mica Heating Heater. This one is 110 V 120 Watt. I tried it with a low amp 12 volt power source and it reached a temp of 94 degrees. I figure for $6.17 it's worth a try. It just might be the thing for a cold swaging room. Maybe a little insulation for good measure.
Supe
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=90549&d=1387072526http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=90550&d=1387072526

[nhrifle]

That's interesting, good find! I've been microwaving a damp towel and putting it into a plastic bag and draping it around my point form die. Adds enough heat until friction takes over and results are consistent.

[Dave18]

do you have a link to the source for that heater, and what does it look like, a cartridge, a pad or what,

because my loading room is cold this yr! even with the heat on!

[supe47]

I found this on evilbay on a heater search. They come in all sorts of sizes and wattage. Google Plastic Injection Machine Mica Heating Heater and a whole assortment comes up. I got mine from a co. in Hong Kong, I believe, but it was shipped from Erlanger,KY. I figure the press will be a heat sink but I'm going to give this a try. I looks like a section of pipe that heats up. This one is a 120 Watt model. They come in all different wattage. Thought I'd start out low. It works on AC and DC. I'm going to try it on an 18 volt battery charger and see what kind of temp I get.

[nhrifle]

I found it on Amazon. Just cut and paste Supe's description as he wrote it into the search bar and hit go.

[supe47]

Tried it on a low amp dc power source at 13.1 volts- temp 94 degrees. Battery charger 12 volt 6 amp 89 degrees. Seems to like volts.

[Utah Shooter]

So what if you overheat it? Say normal production puts the die temp at 86 degrees you are heating it to 95 degrees and when it first starts would be at 77 degrees, does this cause a negative effect when point forming?

If you start too high and end up dropping temp will the same thing occur if you start too low and raise the temp?

[BLASTER62]

I use a clip on hooded light like for a lizzard or turtle tank 40 or 60 watt bulb works good & Cheep!

[Cane_man]

toaster, mesh screen on top, empty tuna fish can on top of the die

[supe47]

Joe- Don't know. I've never done a study on the temps of my dies. But, I guess I've found a use for the infrared thermometer that's been sitting in it's box since I bought it.

[xman777]

Looks like it will work great with a PID controller that there are dozens of threads on here in the cast forums.

[aaronraad]

I've set-up a 220V system for my BSS press which is working well, but you can specify the voltage and dimensions of the pad:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/210086

The 3M tape isn't much chop so I hold the heating pad down with a couple of pieces of steel strapping for good contact in the mid-section of press.

I've added a PID Digital Temperature controller with an SSR similar to the one below: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-IN-1-PID-Digital-Temperature-controller-40A-SSR-Thermocouple-E0Xc-/310790175824?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item485c89bc50&_uhb=1

I wouldn't rely on the PID Digital Temperature controller's 250V internal relay switch, it last about 5 seconds. The SSR setup has been very reliable.

I also swapped over the K-type thermocouple to a washer type, which is locked down under the threaded ejection pin sleeve on the BSS press.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thermocouple-Sensors-K-type-with-Washer-/250922376304?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3a6c239c70&_uhb=1

The SSR and PID temp controller are mounted in a small electrical enclosure. The PID temp controller is obviously surface mounted, but I've drilled a small hole in the front cover to see the 'active' red led on the SSR light-up when heating.

My heating pad was only a 40W unit with a 120 deg C thermal cut-out. Heating to 40 deg C is a bit slow but very consistent, so I'd probably go with something with a bit more grunt (Watts) next time.

Definitely reduced the number of rejects and I don't have to worry about the die cooling down if I want to take a 5min break during a production run. I'll upload a couple of pics when I get the chance.

[xman777]

You mind postin some pictures of your setup? I have the same press and similar ideas.

Edit: Scratch that just read the last line...

[aaronraad]

I've set-up a 220V system for my BSS press which is working well, but you can specify the voltage and dimensions of the pad:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/210086

The 3M tape isn't much chop so I hold the heating pad down with a couple of pieces of steel strapping for good contact in the mid-section of press.

I've added a PID Digital Temperature controller with an SSR similar to the one below: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-IN-1-PID-Digital-Temperature-controller-40A-SSR-Thermocouple-E0Xc-/310790175824?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item485c89bc50&_uhb=1

I wouldn't rely on the PID Digital Temperature controller's 250V internal relay switch, it last about 5 seconds. The SSR setup has been very reliable.

I also swapped over the K-type thermocouple to a washer type, which is locked down under the threaded ejection pin sleeve on the BSS press.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thermocouple-Sensors-K-type-with-Washer-/250922376304?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3a6c239c70&_uhb=1

The SSR and PID temp controller are mounted in a small electrical enclosure. The PID temp controller is obviously surface mounted, but I've drilled a small hole in the front cover to see the 'active' red led on the SSR light-up when heating.

My heating pad was only a 40W unit with a 120 deg C thermal cut-out. Heating to 40 deg C is a bit slow but very consistent, so I'd probably go with something with a bit more grunt (Watts) next time.

Definitely reduced the number of rejects and I don't have to worry about the die cooling down if I want to take a 5min break during a production run. I'll upload a couple of pics when I get the chance.

90982909839098490985909869098790988

[xman777]

Awesome, Thanks for posting those!

[Rumrunner64]

Supe47 just wondering how the heater is working? Do you have any pictures?

[supe47]

I received my little $5 motor control yesterday and put it through a temp test. I haven't tested it out on my point form die yet. I'll post results when I run another batch of bullets. The heater itself works great. I'm working for a precise temp control. Final test will be with a PID so I can see exactly what temp I'm actually working with. It's probably much to do about nothing but nothing ventured, nothing gained. (I love idioms. Keeps the younger folk confused)