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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

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Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#1

Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

Rob W.

>I have become interested in using woodburning techniques to try on my bowls after they have been turned for texturing and for signing them. I am shocked by the price of the transformer based controller units, and would like to build one of these controllers from scratch. In addition to being a woodturner, I am also an Amateur Extra class ham operator and have more electronic components in my "junk box" than I know what to do with. Are there any users of woodburning controller units out there who can provide some information about what the "guts" are in their controller and how they are wired? I'd like to know what kind of transformers, variacs, rheostats, etc. are used to adjust the voltage to obtain different burner tip temperatures. Are there any schematics available for these controller units? Any help from owners of woodburning systems would be appreciated! Thanks! Rob Wallace

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#2

Pascal Oudet posted a "how to" *LINK*

Jeff Gerardot, Indianapolis IN

>There was a discussion here about this a while back.

I went & dug it up for you.

Good luck.


Pascal's Post in WC Turning Archive

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#3

Re: Pascal Oudet posted a "how to" *LINK*

Pascal Oudet

>thanks Jeff.

the complete description with details is available on my website at the link below. should be quite easy for you Rob.

I just used it last Sunday, it works very well - though I should build a better pen than the one shown on the picture ;-).

Pascal


woodburning controler page

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#4

Pascal, I looked...

BubbaBob

>...and the only thing I understood was "it's cheap". Dang I wish you spoke english...

BubbaBob

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#5

Hey Bubba!

Fred in NC

>That is not English. That is Tronish !!!!

Frankly I could put one together, I even have the old computer power supply. Not worth it to me to do it. However, making the burning pens is another matter. That is where I can save some money and have them exactly the way I want them.

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#6

Re: Pascal Oudet posted a "how to"

Don Evans

>Pascal:

I could only get two of the 5 pictures on that page to show.

woodburning, modified psu and patterns don't load, for me anyway.

Don

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#7

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

Fred in NC

>Rob: In answer to your CQ and the above posts, I think a PWM circuit would be best. I am not sure I like switching supplies since all that is needed is a rectified voltage with a couple filter caps. Being a programmer I have some computer supplies but I am not sure I will use that.

PMW is easy to obtain from from a 555 regulating a SCR. I think I found a kit with all the parts, which of course includes the board, from:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=305&item=MK-804&type=store

Email me if you like: fredlido AT bellsouth.net.

Best regards, fred in nc

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#8

images: corrected

Pascal Oudet

>hum, are you using Firefox ?

I just checked, and discovered some '/' and '\' mixed in the html code. (it worked with IE, not Firefox). I've fixed it. thanks for the debug ;-)

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#9

;-)

Pascal Oudet

>

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#10

Re: Hey Bubba!

Pascal Oudet

>Fred, with some Nichrome wire it's very easy to make your custom tips. it's cheap, exists in many diameters, and is easy to shape and grind.

(I found mine at a shop which is making/selling motors and coils).

Pascal

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#11

Re: images: corrected

Don Evans

>Pascal:

Using Netscape 6.1

Images work now, takes much

Don

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

#12

Re: Woodburner Controllers - Build from scratch?

Rob W.

>Jeff, Pascal, et al.: Thanks for all of your replies! I'll try to see if I can scrounge up a computer power supply to try to set-up a woodburning controller. I think the pulse width modulation circuit centered around a 555 will work nicely. Do any of you have any specific devices in mind (number?) for the MOSFET?? I assume current ratings and gate threshold are really the only things to be certain of.....

Does anyone know if there are simpler circuits for a woodburning controller out there that do not require using a computer power supply?? (I'm pretty sure what's in the commercial woodburner units do not involve rectifying to DC but more likely consist of a transformer and a rheostat or variac....) I've had several private requests via e-mail to forward anything I learn on this topic, since some folks thought working with a computer power supply and other circuitry was too complicated for them....

Thanks again for your feedback and advice!!

Rob Wallace