Type of Wire - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BrierS · #1 03-22-2006, 05:30 AM

Like most of you on the forum, I live to tinker. At the insulating glass shop, we use handheld, heated cutters for cutting the excess butyl from the IG units. These knives appear to be heated similar to the electric soldering irons with wire wound around the length of an iron rod (protected by a layer of silica like material). In the past, when these irons burned out, the owner, Susan, would start using a new one. I investigated what was burning out and found it is the wound wire. By simply twisting the two loose ends together I have been able to keep these knives working. What type of wire could be used to replace the original wire when I have reached the end of my twisting fix?
Steve

Eskimo · #2 03-22-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrierS

Like most of you on the forum, I live to tinker. At the insulating glass shop, we use handheld, heated cutters for cutting the excess butyl from the IG units. These knives appear to be heated similar to the electric soldering irons with wire wound around the length of an iron rod (protected by a layer of silica like material). In the past, when these irons burned out, the owner, Susan, would start using a new one. I investigated what was burning out and found it is the wound wire. By simply twisting the two loose ends together I have been able to keep these knives working. What type of wire could be used to replace the original wire when I have reached the end of my twisting fix?
Steve

You might try looking at nickel chromium aka "nichrome" wire. That's one common sort of what's sometimes called "resistance wire". Yes, all ordinary wires have some resistance, but this sort of stuff is particularly resistive. Charts can be found tabulating the resistance per unit length of different gauges of particular wire materials (at particular temperatures; for nichrome, resistance increases with temperature).

Just off the top of my head, I'd suggest Omega Engineering and McMaster-Carr as likely sources.

BrierS · #3 03-22-2006, 08:12 PM

Thank you for the info. I will pursue and conquer.

Steve