Difference between revisions of "Melting stick"

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<metadesc>Solid oil melting stick</metadesc>
 
<metadesc>Solid oil melting stick</metadesc>
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_2.jpg|450px|thumb|right|Completed Melting stick.  Source K.H]]
  
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This is a useful, easily made item used to melt solid oil, palm oil, glycerine and whites.
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{{WIP}}
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<br>
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The melting stick is made from a 220-240 volt cartridge heater,it will melt solid oil and is small enough to go through screw top lids
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<br>
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__TOC__
 
__TOC__
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<br>
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<br>
  
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==Overview==
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The melting stick is constructed using a 220-240 volt cartridge heater.  These are readily available from on-line auction sites and other outlets.  The heaters are available in 110v and 230v versions and are offered in a range of Wattages from 150W to 600W.
  
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The unit described here is based on a 300W unit, a size which has proved satisfactory for melting volumes of 20 litres and greater.  The design of the "tosser tube" is sufficiently compact to fit through screw top lids of plastic cubies and 20 litre tins.
  
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==The melting stick==
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_0013.jpg |250px|thumb|centre|The cartridge heater]]
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<blockquote style="background-color: lightgrey; border: solid thin grey;">
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Although known by some low lifes as a tosser tube it is really a modern red hot poker and can be demonstrated on said low life!
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</blockquote>
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::Quote source: K.H
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_2.jpg  |250px|thumb|centre|The business end]]
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
  
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==List of parts==
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==Components==
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Cartridge heater 15 mm 300W (available in various wattages)
 
  
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2 x 15 mm straight joiner-compression
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[[File:Melting stick components.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Components used.  Source K.H]]
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[[File:Electrics.jpg |350px|thumb|center|Electrical connections.  Source K.H]]
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<br>
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<br>
  
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Short length of 15 mm copper pipe  
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# ... 1 off ... cartridge heater 15mm outside diamater, 300W (available in various wattages)
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# ... 1 off ... short length of 15mm copper pipe
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# ... 2ft ... 15mm plastic pipe
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# ... 2 off ... 15mm - 15mm straight compression fitting
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# ... 1 off ... plastic pipe insert
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# ... 1 off ... Stand-off (piece of metal slightly longer than the heater with the end bent over)
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# ... 1 off ... cable and plug
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# ... 1 off ... in line power switch
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# ... 2 off ... insulated crimp connectors
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# ... 2 off ... shrink sleeving
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# ... 1 off ... Gp7 brass cable gland
  
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Speedfit type insert
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
  
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2 ft of plastic 15 mm pipe
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==Assembly==
  
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Cable and plug
 
  
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2 connectors and insulating tape
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Solder the stand-off to a compression nut. This is to keep the heater away from the container walls and the curl at the end prevents contact with the container bottom.
  
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A piece of metal slightly longer than the heater with the end bent over
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Connect the heater cable tails to the power cable by soldering and insulating with the heat-shrink, ensuring that the sleeve is securely attached and cannot slide away from the joint.  Alternatively crimp connectors can be employed and, for additional safety, can be covered with heat-shrink sleeveing. Cutting one heater cable tail slightly shorter than the other, will ensure the joints are staggered making it easer to insert the cabling into the tube.
  
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_1.jpg|250px|thumb|centre|List of parts used,click to enlarge]]
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Tighten the heater into a straight 15 mm compression fitting using the nut with the stand off attached, then attach the copper 15 mm copper pipe to the other end of the fitting, feeding the cable through the pipe as it's assembled.  The copper pipe needs to be long enough to prevent the plastic pipe from becoming too hot.
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Attach the second 15 mm compression fitting to the other end of the copper pipe, by carefully threading onto the cable. Feed the cable through the pipe insert and the plastic pipe,  and tighten the second compression fitting.
  
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Disassemble the cable gland and slide over the cable.  The pipe ID is the correct tapping size for the gland thread.  If a chamfer is put on the inside of the pipe, it should be possible to screw the gland into position, the metal forming a thread as it's screwed in (warming the pipe may assit in this procedure).  Take care not to wind up the cable as you install the gland body, or fit the gland before threading onto the cable.
  
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===How to assemble===
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Assemble the rest of the gland, ensuring that the cable is slack within the pipe and gripped satisfactorily so it anchors the cable if pulled.
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Firstly solder the piece of steel to one of the flat surfaces of a compression nut,this needs to end up at the bottom and is a stand off to keep the heater away from the container walls,tighten the heater into a straight connector using the nut with the stand off then attach the copper pipe,this needs to be short enough that the heater wires protrude.
 
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Attach the other connector to the other end of the copper pipe.
 
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Put an insert into one end of the plastic pipe and feed the cable down the pipe,connect and insulate the heater to the cable then join the plastic pipe to the connector.
 
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_006.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Melting its way into a tub]]
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A suitably rated inline switch fitted to the cable makes for easier operation.
  
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[[File:Melting_stick_001.jpg|250px|thumb|right|the finished article]]
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<br>
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<br>
  
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==See also==
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<gallery  widths="250px" heights="200px" perrow="3" align="center">
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Use if there are similar pages in the wiki, if not delete.
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File:Melting_stick_0013.jpg|15mm dia, 300W cartridge heater.  Source: K.H
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File:Melting_stick_001.jpg|Completed melting stick.  Source: K.H
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* Link within this wiki here
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File:Melting_stick_006.jpg|Melting stick in action.  Source: K.H
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* Link within this wiki here
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</gallery>
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* Link within this wiki here
 
  
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{{#ev:youtube|Hn6a_ZrMBfw|400|center|Melting stick in action.  Source: K.H}}
  
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>
  
  
  
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==See also==
  
  
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[[User:KH|KH]] 22:44, 27 October 2012 (BST)
  
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~~KH~~
 
  
  
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<nowiki> ... delete this "nowiki" tag once you have set your categories (it's just there to stop this section getting indexed on the main page!)
 
  
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For Biodiesel ...
 
  
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[[Category:Biodiesel]]
 
  
  
  
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[[Category:Ingredients and preparation]]
 
  
  
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[[Category:vegetable oil]]
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[[Category:Biodiesel]]
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[[Category:Processors and equipment]]
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[[Category:Vegetable oil]]
 
[[Category:Filtration & drying equipment]]
 
[[Category:Filtration & drying equipment]]
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Please Note:  To get your page indexed on the main page it is necessary, to got to the main page, click the edit tab and then click save.
 
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</nowiki>  ... delete this "/nowiki" tag once you have set your categories (it's just there to stop this section getting indexed on the main page!)
 

Latest revision as of 11:27, 1 March 2013

Completed Melting stick. Source K.H

This is a useful, easily made item used to melt solid oil, palm oil, glycerine and whites.



Overview

The melting stick is constructed using a 220-240 volt cartridge heater. These are readily available from on-line auction sites and other outlets. The heaters are available in 110v and 230v versions and are offered in a range of Wattages from 150W to 600W.

The unit described here is based on a 300W unit, a size which has proved satisfactory for melting volumes of 20 litres and greater. The design of the "tosser tube" is sufficiently compact to fit through screw top lids of plastic cubies and 20 litre tins.





Although known by some low lifes as a tosser tube it is really a modern red hot poker and can be demonstrated on said low life!

Quote source: K.H





Components

Components used. Source K.H
Electrical connections. Source K.H



  1. ... 1 off ... cartridge heater 15mm outside diamater, 300W (available in various wattages)
  2. ... 1 off ... short length of 15mm copper pipe
  3. ... 2ft ... 15mm plastic pipe
  4. ... 2 off ... 15mm - 15mm straight compression fitting
  5. ... 1 off ... plastic pipe insert
  6. ... 1 off ... Stand-off (piece of metal slightly longer than the heater with the end bent over)
  7. ... 1 off ... cable and plug
  8. ... 1 off ... in line power switch
  9. ... 2 off ... insulated crimp connectors
  10. ... 2 off ... shrink sleeving
  11. ... 1 off ... Gp7 brass cable gland




Assembly

Solder the stand-off to a compression nut. This is to keep the heater away from the container walls and the curl at the end prevents contact with the container bottom.

Connect the heater cable tails to the power cable by soldering and insulating with the heat-shrink, ensuring that the sleeve is securely attached and cannot slide away from the joint. Alternatively crimp connectors can be employed and, for additional safety, can be covered with heat-shrink sleeveing. Cutting one heater cable tail slightly shorter than the other, will ensure the joints are staggered making it easer to insert the cabling into the tube.


Tighten the heater into a straight 15 mm compression fitting using the nut with the stand off attached, then attach the copper 15 mm copper pipe to the other end of the fitting, feeding the cable through the pipe as it's assembled. The copper pipe needs to be long enough to prevent the plastic pipe from becoming too hot.

Attach the second 15 mm compression fitting to the other end of the copper pipe, by carefully threading onto the cable. Feed the cable through the pipe insert and the plastic pipe, and tighten the second compression fitting.

Disassemble the cable gland and slide over the cable. The pipe ID is the correct tapping size for the gland thread. If a chamfer is put on the inside of the pipe, it should be possible to screw the gland into position, the metal forming a thread as it's screwed in (warming the pipe may assit in this procedure). Take care not to wind up the cable as you install the gland body, or fit the gland before threading onto the cable.

Assemble the rest of the gland, ensuring that the cable is slack within the pipe and gripped satisfactorily so it anchors the cable if pulled.

A suitably rated inline switch fitted to the cable makes for easier operation.



  • 15mm dia, 300W cartridge heater. Source: K.H

  • Completed melting stick. Source: K.H

  • Melting stick in action. Source: K.H

Melting stick in action. Source: K.H








See also

KH 22:44, 27 October 2012 (BST)

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