Lube Heater

[dsh1106]

For those that don't want to pay thru the nose for one of these, I just made one for under $30.00 and about 30 minutes.

I had all the items lying around in the garage except the heater.

14 gauge wire (extension cord)
single gang electrical box
dimmer switch
cartridge heater - 55 watt, (ebay buy)
Aluminum mounting block

Using the dimmer switch set at half, this heated my Lyman 45 to ~ 110 degrees in about 20-30 minutes.

easy and inexpensive ....


Scott

[1989toddm]

Pictures?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dsh1106]

I had the mounting block already, all I had to do is drill the hole for the heater.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I made one like that too 167729167730

[dsh1106]

I made one like that too 167729167730

Yes Sir,
And a lot cheaper than the store bought ones....

Good job!!!

[blikseme300]

Scott, nice job!

A show & tell here on how I did something similar: http://www.bliksemdonder.com/hobbies/cast-boolits/star-heater/

[drifterdon]

So are the heater blocks just solid chunks of aluminum plate?
These are great ideas

[blikseme300]

So are the heater blocks just solid chunks of aluminum plate?
These are great ideas

Yes, just bar stock.

[fred2892]

Those are exactly the same as I make. Only difference is I use 150 watt heaters (same cost or cheaper than 50 watt). My lube (carnuba red) is ready after only 10 minutes with the heater turned up to max. The heater is then turned down to half for the rest of the lubing session.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160508/309c907d9b958d6dd566d8968215e144.jpg
With a nod to Spinal Tap.
Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk

[dsh1106]

So are the heater blocks just solid chunks of aluminum plate?
These are great ideas


Yes Sir

I made mine larger than most, I have hole patterns in it for my Lyman 45, 450 and my TL-Jr.

The thickness of the plate will depend on the heater diameter your using.

When I bought mine, I bought three of them thinking I'd make extra.

Scott

[dsh1106]

Those are exactly the same as I make. Only difference is I use 150 watt heaters (same cost or cheaper than 50 watt). My lube (carnuba red) is ready after only 10 minutes with the heater turned up to max. The heater is then turned down to half for the rest of the lubing session.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160508/309c907d9b958d6dd566d8968215e144.jpg
With a nod to Spinal Tap.
Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk

Yea, some of the large heaters are actually cheaper than the smaller ones.

If I turn this 50 watt heater to the max it will exceed 400 degrees, which shortens the wait time to about 10 minutes.

[Don Fischer]

I've got a lube heater with my sized, it's got to where I never turn it on. I used to but I'd get bullet's coming out with lube on the base and the die getting heated lube in the bottom. I keep my sizer and lube in the house at room temp all the time. I keep the house at 60* or above all the time. I used to keep it in a back room where it got cooler unless I built a fire. Then getting the lube to flow was a process!

[mazo kid]

As an electrician, I often worked with a fitter to replace large industrial A/C compressors. These have a cartridge heater in in the crankcase and I got a couple for nothing. Retired now so won't be getting any more. Just a thought for another option.

[Mitch]

Mine is a 1 inch alumnum plate with cheep 40 watt soldering iron.I have a router controller I use but anything from a dimmer switch to a PID will work

[Walter Laich]

I went a different route. Got an aquarium heater off ebay and used it to make a PID-like temp controller. Cost a few $$ but I like to tinker and make stuff so it was fun for me. Plus every time I see it I get a smile on my face
to each his own

[mold maker]

I got a (Lyman I think) heater plate in the "80 and used a light dimmer for control. It's still going strong. Some dimmers (cheap) won't handle the wattage of a big heater.

[Teddy (punchie)]

we at work where talking, a tech and I. These heaters any chance of getting up around 200 degrees?


They are looking to make a heated table 12" by 8" .

[dsh1106]

we at work where talking, a tech and I. These heaters any chance of getting up around 200 degrees?


They are looking to make a heated table 12" by 8" .

The ones i bought are ~ 3/8 diameter x 1" long, when I applied power to it, it heated to ~400 degrees.(checked this with a infrared thermometer)

I have the other two if you need one.
Scott

[WALLNUTT]

There are electronic temp controllers avaiable on ebay for about $12. Set 'em and forget 'em.

[Ed in North Texas]

These heaters are a great idea, I've had mine for don't remember how many years now. I bought aluminum scrap cut offs (somewhere between 1/2 and 1 inch thick, don't recall) I think 4"x5", but anyway big enough to mount my 45, 450 and LAM II. Drilled them for each luber and the bench mounting holes, drilled for e-Bay cartridge heaters, attached the male plug end of el-cheapo extension cords to each one. They stay attached to the lubers and I use a router rheostat with them to control the heat. Inexpensive and work really well.

[osteodoc08]

Dad liked to do things on the cheap. Few pieces of aluminum stock and a dollar store mini iron. Set it on 4 and you're good to go. Less than $10. i like the OP heater too

[darrondb]

A DIY I wrote up a while back if anyone is interested: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?304580-DIY-heated-lubesizer-base-plate (includes pictures!)

DdB