Silicone heating blankets were developed by NASA to heat satellite
components in space. They are a mature technology and used everywhere in
industry. This makes them cheap and easy to find, if you want to find them
cheap. They can be expensive as well, so shopping around is well worth
one's while.
You didn't say what kind of bending you do, but let's just say that we want
a unit that will do German bentsides.
We want a blanket that is spec'd at 2.5 watts/sq.in. and somewhere between
10-12 inches wide by 36 inches long. Such a blanket is roughly $70.00
(USD).
Now, vendors selling blankets also sell temperature control units. If cost
is no object, go for the vendor supplied temperature control unit.
I build audio amplifiers as a hobby, and, if I've learned only one thing in
that line of endeavor, it is that there is absolutely no correlation between
cost and value where electronics are concerned. Same here.
My temperature control unit uses an obsolete Omron E5CS-R1KJX-F temperature
controller. This can be had from a variety of on-line vendors for as little
as $126.00.
For a timer, GraLab, Besseler, and other high quality darkroom timers can be
had on e-bay for anywhere from a buck to $50.00 plus shipping.
Use couldn't be simpler. Set temperature desired. Arrange fixture and work
piece. Set time. Monitor.
If you want to build such a unit and need some help, e-mail me off list and
I'll be delighted to help in any way you require from advising on parts
specification to building a unit for you at cost of materials. If you are
anywhere near Tampa, come on over.
I'm doing three small Neapolitans right now and will be bending the parts
for a large German in a couple of weeks. I might be able to fit a video in
there somewhere. If you want some snapshots of my current set-up, that can
be arranged. Per the new list guidelines, I'm to send them upon request to
individual e-mail addresses.
I did not invent this, nor am I the first to use silicone blankets to build
harpsichords. I'm told that Matthias Griewisch uses such an arrangement.
No doubt there are others.
-----Original Message-----
From: Harpsichords and Related Topics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of McKenna
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 1:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Taskin bridges: bent or sawn?
Well, Julian might miss the heat, smoke, and exertion, ;-) but I bend more
than just bridges, usually with a finicky steam box, and I like the sound of
Seth's system. Can we have some more details on how you put it together,
Seth? And maybe some pics?
Thanks,
Robert
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::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Note: opinions expressed on HPSCHD-L are those of the individual con-
tributors and not necessarily those of the list owners nor of the Uni-
versity of Iowa. For a brief summary of list commands, send mail to
[log in to unmask] saying HELP .
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