I bought 2 also. They both work great. Using this along with my 2 6" vortex fans and it's almost silent even on 100%.
The only one I that works and doesn't harm the motor was on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006NGI8VS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1425242268&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=variac speed controller
thanks for the heads up, but upon inspection of my amazon variac controller it seems to be built like a tank, its heavy, has great vents, the connections look solid inside ( yes i opened it up), and it controls my fan like a dream, oh and it doesnt even get hot when controlling my 6" fan all the way down to a whisper, maybe you got a bad one, even mercedes benz builds a bad car now and then, just a lemon i suppose?