Bending pipe heated with 6x6 Omega blanket

[Dave Bagwill]

Git it - will wire and take a pic before getting bent. ;-)

[ken cierp]

I like having the compact "all in one" control box -- But John's suggestion should not be dismissed there are some economical router speed controllers that will do a great job -- this one is available from many sources including Harbor Freight

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EVY ... Q57D5P7Q2E

[John Parchem]

I agree with Ken that a properly sized dimmer will work. The blanket is the same type of load as an incandescent light bulb. Modern dimmers use a triac circuit that limits the time each cycle that the blanket is on to control the temperature and would be perfectly suitable to this application.

Dimmer or router controller keep the timer in the circuit.

[Dave Bagwill]

Okay - getting back to it - wanted to clear up the question of whether I can just clamp the pipe in my parrot vise - it feels very secure, do you see any problems with that?

[John Parchem]

I can not see any danger. The vice would be a heat sync stealing heat from the blanket, but I have to imagine that it would be plenty hot right on the blanket so that should not be an issue.

[Dave Bagwill]

My thinking too.

[Dave Bagwill]

So I helped wire one up; by helping I mean I stood aside while my friend Jim did the work. :-)
It heats up; now to find something to bend. Maybe some binding??