User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 4/12/2008 10:18:19 PM EDT
[#1]
Excellent post. Nice job....it took me awhile to look at it but well worth the time.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/14/2008 3:26:23 PM EDT
[#2]
While waiting for my parts to arrive for my first AR-15 I came across this thread and was so impressed with mfingar's cases that I decided to do my own. Thanks to everyone who has added their advice on this thread. I choose to go with the simple battery powered hot wire set-up to cut the foam on a pelican 1720. I also ran the wire thru a simple switch on the back so I could shut it off quickly, which was a big help.
 I just put a cheap radio-shak battery pack on it and it cut like a dream.  after I got every built with the AR I started working on the case and took everyones advice about going slow and did a few practice cuts with scrap foam. It really made it easier if you cut a template for each item and arrange it how you want and cut each one and leave the foam piece in place to keep the cut foam from getting flimsy or caught on the table. Here is the finished product:   Thanks again for everyone help and advice. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/20/2008 10:14:28 AM EDT
[#3]
I am almost done with my cutter build, but I want to make sure I don't fry something when I turn it on. In the last sewntence above, you say to use one yellow wire and the black wire---makes sense. But in some of the pictures in this thread, the two yellow wires are the ones that connect to the "cutting" wire. Which is right or best. I do have a dimmer attached if that matters! Plus, how do you ground omething on a wooden frame--that isn't possible is it? |
||
|
|
|
Posted: 4/30/2008 8:52:24 PM EDT
[#4]
nice. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/4/2008 10:18:46 AM EDT
[#5]
Best How-To Thread on the Interwebz!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/4/2008 11:10:24 AM EDT
[#6]
okay, so I've screwd up enough transformers trying to get this to work...
the 25vt - 2Amp Radioshack Transformer... is ist AC or DC? if it's AC, what do you do with the two Yellow wires coming out of the secondary? wire them together? |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/5/2008 6:27:10 AM EDT
[#7]
anybody?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/5/2008 7:33:27 AM EDT
[#8]
Does this help?   |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/6/2008 1:14:50 PM EDT
[#9]
Has anyone made one of these and gotten good with it that would be willing to cut custom foam for a fee? One would ship them his foam and posterboard cutouts.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/15/2008 4:01:10 PM EDT
[#10]
Did you get an answer yet? ETA: Nevermind I see you got it working. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 10:30:37 AM EDT
[#11]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 11:57:33 AM EDT
[#12]
ME TOO!has My "cutter" wire is a little bigger than called for, so I wonder if that is the problem? I used a bigger wire, because the smaller wire melted when I turned it on, and I can't find the correct size. This is really begining to piss me off! |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 12:03:29 PM EDT
[#13]
yeah I have a dimmer as well! even with the dimmer on its lowest setting the wire was glowing orange! wtf mate!? my only idea is we might have the wrong transformer... lemme find the package from mina and snap a picture of it... |
||
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 12:12:37 PM EDT
[#14]
 okay, I put the ruler and penny in there for reference... the penny did the job but the ruler didnt... I also measured my wire... twenty five thousandths of an inch thick (0.025) |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:06:26 PM EDT
[#15]
YEP! That is the same one I have. My wire measures .035". I hope someone can help us! PLEASE! |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:17:59 PM EDT
[#16]
If I read this post from page 18 correctly:
If you connect one yellow wire and the black wire on the "output" side you will get half the power which should cut back dramatically on the heat. Just wirenut and tape off the other yellow wire to keep it from contacting anything. You could also go to a heavier wire like .048-.050" and if you aren't using it already I think nichrome wire works best based on previous posts. I'm hoping this is all true as I haven't built mine yet, but I do have the exact same transformer for it, which is the model listed in Mfingar's original post. |
|||
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:21:22 PM EDT
[#17]
That is the way I smoked the first one,because that is how I read the post. After I got a new one, I thought I would be good to go---I was mistaken! |
||||
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:27:06 PM EDT
[#18]
yeah I just wired in the two yellow wires and left the black one sitting just like in the picture...
I hadnt moved it from the time it went "poof" to when i took the picture. hmmm maybe try to use 12.2 volts rather than 25? will that keep me from poofing any more transformers (these little buggers are expensive!) and .025 wire is pretty friggin thick! ...and thank you knight_dive for your input/help/response... we appreciate it! |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:36:08 PM EDT
[#19]
alright I'm gonna head to radioshack to buy another transformer for poofage
anybody need anything? ...oh wait you're all on the interwebz 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:56:02 PM EDT
[#20]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 2:41:28 PM EDT
[#21]
 Bought two, I'm going to start by wiring up one yellow one black lead on the large transformer... 12.2 volts. if that poofs I'll go with the .45 Amp 25.2 volt transformer (the smaller one) if neither of these work i'm going to throw the entire thing out the window. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/18/2008 3:02:14 PM EDT
[#22]
success! the cutter lives!!
I've had it running for a good 3 minutes without it poofing! and the transformer doesnt heat up either! horay! more pictures of the setup to come! |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/20/2008 1:54:15 AM EDT
[#23]
Is it STILL working? I hope so, and please do post the pictures. I need to figure out what I did wrong. Thanks |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/20/2008 1:38:23 PM EDT
[#24]
Ok Mark you talked me into it and i didn't even fry myself or burn myself (yet)!
Oh and by the way you are probably one of the nicest guys I don't know  So here is my cutter  Here is what I have done so far!!   Again thanks for your help and this great how to!!!!!! |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/21/2008 10:13:02 PM EDT
[#25]
nice! your rifle is pointing the wrong way in its case  (just kidding!)
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/21/2008 10:13:07 PM EDT
[#26]
without an edit: I present Page 20 ownage
Here is the way I was able to get my rig working, I modified mfingar's wiring diagram to include the mystery wire coming out of the transformer and the Radioshack Part no. I burned up two transformers to get mine working   Here she is: 24" by 24" table top. The wire has a simple loop that slips over the aluminum arm for easy replacement.  Here's the setup underneath that keeps tension in the wire and allows for quick & easy changing of the wire... yes the wireing job looks crummy but remember I "poof'd" two transformers in the process of getting this thing to work so by the third time I'd had it with making my wires look pretty  once I figured out (through trial and error) the proper length of wire, I added these two Aluminum pieces as a jig for bending new wires... no more guessing at the measurements. I just wrap one end, cut the wire, then wrap the other end and its perfect length.  Tracing the rifle and scope onto the cardboard and subsequently carving a rifle shaped outline into my kitchen table  The current layout in my Pelican 7500, rifle, sling, scope, and bipod... waiting to pick up my HK USP .45 tomorrow for the final layout   |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2008 2:21:29 AM EDT
[#27]
Thanks!
Awsome job on the pics. Your set-up look very professional. I love the set up you have for the tension and the jig for making the new wires both great ideas! I will try mine again as soon as I get a new transformer. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/27/2008 6:56:52 PM EDT
[#28]
I'm going to do this on a Pelican 1600 case for my Vector Uzi, but have one question.
I'm looking at the foam on this page: http://www.foambymail.com/CharcoalFoam.html Should I get the 1.0 density or the 1.6 density? I realize that's a lot more foam than I need, I was just going to use one of the foam liners that's already in the case as a template and cut out what I need. Also, I figured instead of making a whole new table, I could just use one of the holes in my reloading bench and temporarily mount the cutter through one of those. Has anyone tried that? Thanks for the tutorial mfingar. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/31/2008 3:24:01 PM EDT
[#29]
I finally got mine working for at least a few minutes with a piece of fishing leader .010" that I got from a friend. I think it is too small, but that is all I can find and so far it works, but I have a question: Does anyone elses wire get red/orange hot when it is on?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/1/2008 2:39:13 AM EDT
[#30]
If it turns red hot...it's too hot, and will break soon. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/9/2008 1:49:02 PM EDT
[#31]
Wonderful thread Mark, just bumping it in hopes of getting it tacked.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/16/2008 6:30:42 PM EDT
[#32]
For the love of GOD; could someone please tell me where to get nichrome wire. I can't find it anywhere (not even Home Depot) and I have checked everywhere I can think of and nothinghave Also, what size wire works the best?
FYI: I built mine just like the others that use a transformer and a dimmer switch and I have it wired with the one yellow wire an one black to make it 12.5 volts. Just like the one in the post at the top of THIS page. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/16/2008 6:54:52 PM EDT
[#33]
Link 1 Link 2 |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/17/2008 1:59:25 PM EDT
[#34]
maybe you just weren't ment to cut foam just kidding... good luck and keep us updated! |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/17/2008 5:12:47 PM EDT
[#35]
posted by Mfingar on page 16 or 17 nichrome wire ETA: I would use 20ga or thinner |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/28/2008 5:55:00 PM EDT
[#36]
Right. The stuff I use is really thin. Measures .008" diameter, something like 30 gage  |
||
|
|
|
Posted: 8/9/2008 7:13:29 PM EDT
[#37]
Here is my evacuation case. There are a couple things I'd do different if i did it again but it'll work as is.
  
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/9/2008 7:41:41 PM EDT
[#38]
Very Nice Work! What kind of case and foam is that! |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/9/2008 9:10:20 PM EDT
[#39]
Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!! I dig the pistolas. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/9/2008 9:31:25 PM EDT
[#40]
Thanks for the complements guys. I got the foam from Brownells. It's closed cell and very tough.
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=25790&title=CLOSED%20CELL%20CASE%20FOAM They have the case also but it's HIGH! I' got mine on ebay for about 15 each. www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9498 cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-G-I-Night-Vision-Goggles-Box-17-X-12-X-6_W0QQitemZ290212563193QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116 |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/17/2008 3:00:09 AM EDT
[#41]
can wire cutters be used to trim up previously botched cuts, or do they only work when there is significant amount of adjacent foam that can be used for tension?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/17/2008 4:13:59 AM EDT
[#42]
In order to get clean lines you need to use templates. If you can figure out a way to use them in your situation then yes it would clean up previous errors.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/23/2008 11:21:29 PM EDT
[#43]
The Pelican 1600 that I got with my Uzi SMG had destroyed pluck n pick foam from an attempt by the previous owner to make cutouts. He sent me a nice letter with the gun to check out this thread.
I made my own cutter, but didn't want to build a purpose built table, and I didn't like the idea of an arm possibly interfering with the direction I wanted to turn the foam while cutting out the plug. My solution was simple, I screwed a 2x4 to the floor joist above my workbench and used a pre-existing hole for one of my reloading presses to run the cutting wire. I just used a spring hanging off of a hook to tension the wire, and voila, instant cutter. It's kind of ghetto looking, but I couldn't see doing an elaborate setup for something I'm going to use maybe once or twice in my life. My total cost including the wire was $45.   Here's the end result. The case has the gun, the .45 bolt, barrel and grip, 2 9mm mags and the suppressor. I'm pretty happy with it. I figured I should have it nice and protected when I travel with it. I still have some room to add some more stuff if I feel the need to do so. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2008 9:44:22 AM EDT
[#44]
Does anyone have a complete idiots guide to building one? The extent of my electrical knowledge is: light switch up = lights on & taser = feels funny. Or maybe I should just find someone I know that could help me out.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2008 12:38:55 PM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
Here is my evacuation case. There are a couple things I'd do different if i did it again but it'll work as is. Whats the round ribbed thingie in red??? http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7519/hurricane1xk7.jpg |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2008 2:20:15 PM EDT
[#46]
Whats the round ribbed thingie in red???
img127.imageshack.us/img127/7519/hurricane1xk7.jpg CR123 Battery holder - Surefire I believe |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2008 1:43:27 AM EDT
[#47]
Yep thats what it is.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/29/2008 8:58:24 AM EDT
[#48]
Tag as I don't recall if I tagged this fifteen or twenty pages ago.
Great post by the way! |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/30/2008 10:48:47 AM EDT
[#49]
Great writeup, great pics... well done!!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/30/2008 1:19:55 PM EDT
[#50]
TAG and BTT for later perusal and implemtation
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
Also, what size wire works the best?