wquiles
05-12-2018, 09:56 PM
To make the lube warmer for my new RCBS LAM2, I ordered a 12v DC, 15Watt heating pad:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0009.jpg
But the transfer of heat from the large aluminum surface to the LAM2 was not great. To aid in heat transfer (and since surfaces are not "really flat"), I am using this heat-sink thermal pad from a prior project (about 0.037" thick, which compresses well):
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0010.jpg
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0011.jpg
But even this was not fast enough for me, so I wanted to have pinch the heating pad between the LAM2 and the aluminum pad, but I don't want to crush and short the heating pad, so I measured the heating pad (about 0.060") and milled a pocket for 0.09" to allow for some compression to keep things in place:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0001.jpg
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0002.jpg
Towards the back I cut 3 times (each shallower) to provide a more "gradual" transition and prevent the pad from being pinched/shorted:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0003.jpg
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0009.jpg
But the transfer of heat from the large aluminum surface to the LAM2 was not great. To aid in heat transfer (and since surfaces are not "really flat"), I am using this heat-sink thermal pad from a prior project (about 0.037" thick, which compresses well):
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0010.jpg
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0011.jpg
But even this was not fast enough for me, so I wanted to have pinch the heating pad between the LAM2 and the aluminum pad, but I don't want to crush and short the heating pad, so I measured the heating pad (about 0.060") and milled a pocket for 0.09" to allow for some compression to keep things in place:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0001.jpg
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0002.jpg
Towards the back I cut 3 times (each shallower) to provide a more "gradual" transition and prevent the pad from being pinched/shorted:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/RCBS_Sizer/IMAG0003.jpg