heating element spliceing question

Gunner · 2004-06-25T10:00:12+00:00

Some time back, I managed to scrounge up another Thermalyne heattreating oven. Cute lil thing, about a 5x5x8 cavity. Checking to see why it wouldnt heat, I found that one leg of theheating element had broken.This particular oven has three sides made of the element embedded in aceramic, so three sides come out at one time. The leg from the switchbroke off flush with the top of the ceramic. I carefuly chipped awayat the ceramic until I got about 3/8" of the lead exposed. It needsabout a 3" piece of some thing spliced to it, to make the run to theterminal strip. The original was just a long piece of the heatingelement. Ive tried crimping a wire connector to it, but it seems tonot grab very well and pulled loose while reinstalling the unit. Igave it a quick shot with the mig welder using regular welding wireand gas, and it held for a bit, but was still a bit fragile and brokefree while installing it.Ive since installed the heating unit, and have a new lead run andoverlapping the stub.How do I splice them together? I do have temporary use of a mig withgas, and stainless wire as well as regular. I also have a tiny bit ofsilver solder, regular brazing rod, etc etc.Any suggestions? Its possible I can excavate a bit more wire for a nutand bold mechanical connection...but would rather not break out anymore of the ceramic.Thanks in advance.GunnerThat rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer'scottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it staysthere. - George Orwell

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Peter T. Keillor III 22 years ago

Clare, Mt. Pleasant, or Frankenmuth are a lot closer. I still work for Dow. 1993 was bloody, but not like we're going through now. Total top down reshuffle, about 3000+ out. The main problem is it's taken 6 months and still isn't over.

For myself, I enjoy the work, or used to. I always said I'd stay until they ran me off as long as it was fun. I always thought the end of my career would be they'd run me off, now I'm not so sure.

Oh well, the severance package is good and I'd get full retirement. But I'll sure be glad when this bullshit is over one way or another, and I don't care which. I don't intend to go through another round in five years.

I always had a lot of respect for Dow glassblowers. In Texas, Rex Epps and I believe a couple of others formed their own outfit when they retired, and have done very well servicing Dow as well as others, so I'd say they're better off on the outside. See

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And in case anyone's wondering, I'm not retiring in Midland except long enough for my wife to retire.

Pete Keillor

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Scott Moore 22 years ago

Considering the application, I'd go with a mechanical connection.

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Ted Edwards 22 years ago

I very much doubt that will work. Heat begets corrosion, corosion begets heat, goto 1. Before I had welding gear, I tried just about every sort of mechanical connection as well as siver solder. None of them worked for long. Ususally O/A and a Little Torch is the way to go. It's seldom possible to use my TIG because there's usually no way to get a good low resistance ground. After all, we are talking about resistance wire.

Ted

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Don Bruder 22 years ago

After spending a couple years in Midland (in the Swede Rd/Sugnet Ave area) I think I'm safe in saying that *NOBODY* in their right mind wants to retire in Midland!

I am curious, though... Has the city *FINALLY* gotten lucky, and had that god-awful eyesore/money pit everybdy calls "The Tridge" wash downstream to Saginaw yet?

Somehow, I expect not, since even the flood (In '89? '90?) that put the Circle Bowl (Used to be at Ashmun & Jefferson, right on the circle, but seemed to be trying hard to go belly-up about the time I was leaving) at Ashmun Circle underwater didn't seem to faze that overblown pile of junk, despite leaving it ten feet under water.

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Peter T. Keillor III 22 years ago

Nope, it's still there. The natives are proud of it. I don't mind it, particularly, although it's hardly the tourist attraction they believe. The area's o.k. in the summer, it's just the other 11 months.

Pete Keillor

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Don Foreman 22 years ago

Lil' Torch is good -- but you can use TIG. Just use a backing block of thick metal (steel or copper) with the wire(s) held just above the backing block and bring the gas-shelded arc to the wire(s). I even make thermocouples this way if I want them welded in an inert atmosphere.

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Randy H. 22 years ago

Hi Gunner,

Our gift shop was in Frankenmuth for many years. We were at the top of hill between where Bonners used to be and Zenders at the bottom of the hill. We sold out in 1979. My folks moved to California. I stuck around and got into Dow.

One thing I miss for sure is the summers in the north lands! Not so much the winters.

Take Care,

Randy H. SC Glass Tech Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

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Randy H. 22 years ago

Hi Guys,

I often show people a picture of the tridge that is on my credit union Visa card. Now who else has a three way bridge to nowhere?

As I sit here writing this I hear the police chopper over head and sirens in the back ground. I'm literally 15 miles from the Mexican border. My shop is in a gang ridden area of San Diego called Bario Logan.. I like to call my shop "the Alamo" I commonly see the Mexican flag flying across the street accompanied with blasting mariachi musica! My building gets tagged at least twice a week from competing gangs. Every few blocks is a different gang. They like to piss on each others leg by tagging . The Police say the 30th St. gang is the largest in SD. with more than 500 members. My shop is on

29th St. A few years ago on 30th St. a man was walking home from the store with his kid. He was beaten to death in front of his kid by 5 gang members because they wanted $5.00. I have recently purchased 2 hand guns and I'm applying for a CCW.

Trust me, .....Midland is not so bad.

Randy H SC Glass Tech Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

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Ken Sterling 22 years ago

Geeeezzzz..... I think I'd buy a dumptruck load of guns and ammo, dumped out on the street, and then leave.... the problem will take care of itself... Then you could go back after all the shooting is over and take care of the one guy left... Ken.

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Peter T. Keillor III 22 years ago

Now that's a neat trick. Thanks!

Pete Keillor

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Peter T. Keillor III 22 years ago

Dang, Randy! Get the hell out of there while you can. I know the move would be disruptive, but from the looks of your work (very nice!), your customers will find you. I bet you could find somewhere more central to your clientele, anyway, although finding it at a reasonable price wouldn't be as easy.

As far as Midland goes, it's fine except for living in Dowland with some of the ridiculously stuck up (ABOUT WHAT?!) third generation employees. It's just not home. I knew when we moved up here we'd miss family (over 600 showed up at the last reunion) and salt water. As a matter of fact, we're taking the boat back to Texas and leaving it there. We'll ride the company shuttle down (no cost, X trips a year allowable) to fish and visit.

Good luck with your location. I hope those macho fools don't decide you have a lot of money or tools before you decide to git.

Pete Keillor

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Martin H. Eastburn 22 years ago

I saw a reply above that mentioned MIG - gosh - shoot some SS on it. The big question is can it make contact with metal. I bet the thermal expansion problem is a problem.

A new one isn't that expensive - but if one has a TIG or MIG - give it a try if you are into it - and let us know.

Martin

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