Rather than a simple transformer a “Constant Current Source” ( http://www.ietlabs.com/IET/VI-700.html ) would be better. The device puts out whatever voltage is required (up to a point) so that the amount of current (which is what produces the heat, not the voltage) is constant regardless of the resistance between the probes and the pins. Then the amount of heat that is applied can be regulated by how long the circuit has been made rather than how much smoke is produced. I haven’t looked, but I am sure these come up on E-Bay, or a circuit with an adjustable timer could be constructed without too much trouble. A Ham radio buff could probably do it easily. On Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 6:24 PM, pgmilkie at juno.com <pgmilkie at juno.com> wrote: > Copy and pasted this post a few months ago by Michael Magness. > > > > We used to build our own here in our little corner of Wisconsin and it's not all that difficult. > > All of the necessary parts can be acquired from a hardware store or home center. A doorbell transformer 10 to 14 volt is sufficient, some AC cord and an AC plug for the AC side of the transformer. Some DC wire about 10 gauge is sufficient and some connectors both the crimp kind for splicing 2 ends together and the round ended kind to bolt through. A small piece of masonite, hardboard or even pegboard about 1/2" X 3/4" and a large tweezers and lastly a small diameter non-metallic bolt and nut. > You begin by disconnecting the two arms of the tweezers, you can also make the tweezer arms from old hack saw blades cut in half, grinding one end to a point and bending it over. > Clamp the tweezer arms with the masonite or whatever you choose to use, between them and drill a hole large enough for the small bolt to fit through. > > Attach the AC cords to the approriate ends of the transformer and the plug to the end of the cord. (I used an old lamp cord with a pre-molded plug) Attach the 10 Ga wires to the DC side of the transformer, attach the round ended connectors to the open ends of the wire and attach those ends on either side of the tweezers with the bolt and nut and washers if necessary. > You might want to mount it on a small board for portability and ease of storage. > > Plug it in and lightly touch the ends to one another if you see a spark you have succeeded, if not check your connections. Remember it is important that the two "sides" of the "circuit" or tweezers are insulated from one another until they contact the center pin > > When using this device do not hold it on the pin ends longer than a few seconds, they heat up VERY quickly! > > Don't ask me how I know! > (grin) > Mike > > I intend to live forever. So far, so good. > Steven Wright > > > Michael Magness > Magness Piano Service > 608-786-4404 > www.IFixPianos.com > email mike at ifixpianos.com > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Get vinyl fencing options and products. > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTGbADH4bP8vFVSS30OvC1vhFcwHphjFzb0DxRPK9Cg0Bi5m0JbCLW/ > > -- Regards, Jeff Deutschle Please address replies to the List. Do not E-mail me privately. Thank You.
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