Here's my take on the arbor press idea....don't know if it has been covered like this...My apologies if it has
Harbor freight has a 1/2 Ton for $40
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-ton-arbor-press.html
2x 300 watt Cartridge Heater 300w 110AC
1/4" diameter x 80mm L
$4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-densit...1259&clkid=1919934591877897017&_qi=RTM2247626
Infamous $15 PID Controller
2x K Type Thermocouples
[something like this is fine, but just make sure to know whether it is grounded or un-grounded...if it is ungrounded, a ground wire can be added simply. ]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/K-Type-Ther...017569?hash=item3ab1148e61:g:r~IAAOSwu4BV6DYH
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Maybe some of you know the wiring aspects of this, but for those who don't.......
This a pretty basic setup based on a Solder hotplate...looks something like this...
https://mightyohm.com/blog/2009/01/diy-pid-controlled-soldering-hotplate/
Put It All Together
Hopefully, you can see how the press block is drilled and the cartridge heater pops inside....
Each block gets a cartridge heater and a K-Type Thermocouple...The PID controller monitors the temp of each pressing block's heater thru the K-Type thermocouple, for those who don't know.
Personally, I plan on just using a 3" x 3" x 1" thick piece of steel plate...Use the drillpress to make a hole in each press block. Then stick weld the bastards to the Arbor drop arm.
If you really want to get fancy, you could use an Arduino Uno R3 $10 and a 30A SSR relay in place of the PID controller...then bluetooth the bitch.....
This PID controller could be "hot-swappable" to a DIY Enail..too. You would have to make your thermocouples removable along with the Heater cords or adapt for a 5 pin SLR, to really swap from Press to coil...
anyhoo...fuck, that was my contribution for the week
