Max Wax Pen
Thank you all for your stab at answering my question.
I think maybe I wasn’t clear though.
I want to make a tool that plugs in.
I don’t want (another) battery operated tool.
Hopefully one of you can direct me to a web page that explains in
detail how to make this tool without electrocuting myself.
Paf Dvorak
Hi all. Happy Labor Day. stuller carries the Max Wax 21-2600
Andy “The Tool Guy” Kroungold
If you google DIY Hot Wire Foam Cutter you’ll get lots of
instructions, both written and video.
The simplest thing might be to cannibalize an old toaster.
Anyway NiChrome is the type of wire you need. It’s the resistance
wire used in toasters and other inexpensive heating appliances.
opefully one of you can direct me to a web page that explains in detail how to make this tool without electrocuting myself.
Look at Instructables and SparkFun.
Elaine
Hi Paf,
Sorry, you’re pretty much out of luck. The NiChrome wire tools are
very high amperage. Right pain in the tail to build a mains unit
for.
Even I got to the point where I stopped trying to fake it, and just
went out and bought one.
My trick for the battery powered ones (Wax Max, etc.) is that I keep
a set of rechargeable batteries perpetually plugged in and charging,
so as it chews one up, I just switch to the next. Rinse, repeat.
Alternately, you can buy mains powered units already built, but they
start at around $125 USD. (various wax worker tools.)
You can, and I have, frankensteined it by way of taking a pen-style
soldering iron, and rigging that up with a mains rated light dimmer.
(box with a wall plug, run through a light dimmer switch. Plug in,
adjust.) The drawback is that it’s very slow to respond. Takes a
minute or two for temp changes to register.
For amber checking, why not just heat up a needle or busted end of
sawblade with a lighter? Much simpler than all this…
Regards,
Brian
You might also find something similar by looking for a “Thread
Burning Tool”. These are carried by many bead stores and even Amazon
and they are, essentially, cauterizers.
Sandra Graves
IsisRising
I got fed up with my wax tool eating batteries, I found this.
called a Burny Star ST 171 L
Surprisingly for the name made in Germany. Don’t know if you can get
then in the USA, it gives you 1.5 V at up to 30 Amps. I just use the
Max-Wax ends and made a new handle with a micro switch, very
controllable. With a bit of 0.3 mm silver wire as an extension will
do VERY fine detail.
cheers,
Tim
Thank you everyone! I have a RL friend who is an electrical engineer.
He’s gonna build me one using a 12v transformer so I don’t
electrocute myself.
He explained it all to me. went in one ear and out the other.
Paf Dvorak
I found a nifty tool that i use for wax accidentally. There is a
small wood burning tool - basically an #11 exacto knife blade
riveted to a threadedcomponent. This screws into a 110 V handle. It
makes a great wax workingtool for my work.
I ran into perpetual battery drain on my wax pen.
The knife on a stick tool could easily be adapted to other tips
imcluding wire with a little thought. Occasionally, I use another
#11 knife to scrapethe build up of old crispy wax. I also sharpen it
with a stone.
it was at Michael’s craft store (mainstream retail affiliate of
Moskatel Floral Supplies). I am in Los Angeles, but it might be
available online as well. It was under $13 maybe 4-5 years ago. It
was in the “girly” tool section for wood products - boxes, decopage
plaques and the like. Ah=C4=81 moment…should have bought 2 (to
have one onhand to adapt w custom tips.)
Great little, handy wax station toy!
Eileen
I use this device (I had one about 20 years ago and it vanished mysteriously in all my mountains of crap in my shop) to test the backs of suspected stabilized turquoise & to test ivory vs plastic or Bakelite.
Pat, about 20 years ago Rio used to sell a battery powered hotpoint
for this purpose. Just a wire that would get hot for testing. I
don’t know if they still carry it, haven’t noticed it in a very long
time.
Ben Brauchler
