Induction cooktop worshop

[Ben Schindler]

Hey all,

I am thinking of buying an induction cooktop for my workshop rather then a normal hotplate. I've used babymilk warmers in the past too but found them to not get hot enough for my glue. 

 

What do I like about the induction plate?

 

You can control more or less precise temperatures. 

Splashes of glue will not burn on the surface (easy to clean).

Basically nothing will burn on there. 

Timer turns it off after a certain time.

 

Would love to hear if anybody is using it in their shop.

If so, any suggestions of a certain model?

 

 

 

 

 

[Don Noon]

I got one... heats up real fast, but horrid temperature control.  Worthless.  There was a thread on this... http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/329329-induction-hotplate-for-slow-cooking-resin/?hl=induction

[edi malinaric]

Hey all,

I've used babymilk warmers in the past too but found them to not get hot enough for my glue. -snipped -

 

 

Hi Ben - I use a babymilk warmer.

 

I found that it is thermostatically controlled to around 37C (iirc).

 

After removing the cover at the bottom to expose the workings, I readjusted the setting of the bi-metallic strip.   It took about 3 - 4 tries but it now keeps a steady 75C.

 

Small hassle. Cheap solution. Small footprint on the bench. Easily portable. Base heavy and stable. What's not to like?

 

cheers edi

[Carl Stross]

Hey all,

I am thinking of buying an induction cooktop for my workshop rather then a normal hotplate. I've used babymilk warmers in the past too but found them to not get hot enough for my glue. 

 

What do I like about the induction plate?

 

You can control more or less precise temperatures. 

Splashes of glue will not burn on the surface (easy to clean).

Basically nothing will burn on there. 

Timer turns it off after a certain time.

 

Would love to hear if anybody is using it in their shop.

If so, any suggestions of a certain model?

 

The HF oscillator in the vast majority of induction plates is of a simplified construction and can not adjust power - "dim" itself. Temp is controlled by switching it on and off. That's not good for glue - the water will boil sometimes. A Pro model with full oscillator control, used to cost a fortune.

 

Look for a baby bottle warmer which can also boil - a Chinese cheap one. They work well. Finding one for 110V might be a problem though. I bought a few of them off eBay a few years ago in the belief they won't last. The first one was ON constantly with or without water for 3 years and hasn't given up yet - works perfectly. Also, I would get a food thermometer with a long shaft. Some excellent ones on Amazon. 

[Urban Luthier]

I use something a table top warmer $13 from lee valley.

[Rue]

Hey!  I recently bought that warmer...and the glue pot!  Haven't used it yet though.

[Dwight Brown]

In my lab at school we have a bunch of digital regulated electric hot plates.  I can't imagine they would be terribly expensive for me to have them in a middle school science lab.  It is something like this, but not this exact model.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Scientific-HP131220-33Q-220-240V-electrical/dp/B005SV5GLO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1470593725&sr=8-9&keywords=lab+hot+plate

 

 

DLB

[Addie]

Not to be a party pooper or anything, but cranking a device designed for 37C up to 75C may exceed the fire ratings of the materials it's made from.

At 37c they can get away with things like cardboard insulation, which may not explode at 75C, but still...

[FiddleDoug]

I use a hot pot like this one. Crank it up a little to get a water bath up to temperature quickly, and then turn down to low to hold right in the correct glue range.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YTW58S/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/154-7720742-2719504?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=HMB0N40735X5F5SRQ72D&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687722&pf_rd_i=B004IJ7FWU

[Don Noon]

I recently got one of these as a backup to my ancient Hold Heet pot.  It works fine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-Pot-Wax-Heater-Warmer-Machine-Professional-Depilatory-Salon-Hot-Paraffin-/301434783074?hash=item462ee9c562:g:ovwAAOSwbqpTzwhG

[Carl Stross]

I recently got one of these as a backup to my ancient Hold Heet pot.  It works fine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-Pot-Wax-Heater-Warmer-Machine-Professional-Depilatory-Salon-Hot-Paraffin-/301434783074?hash=item462ee9c562:g:ovwAAOSwbqpTzwhG

 

Thank you - I just bought one. It's excellent, much more stable than the bottle warmers.

[Conor Russell]

As I mentioned in the other thread, I got an induction plate to cook rosin on. The cooling fan drew in the fumes, and soon here was condensed rosin oil dripping out of the bottom. 

 

I can imagine that it would be a hazard in the workshop, where dust would be drawn in and clog up the cooling system.

 

I have a single hot plate, a saucepan, and  a couple of small glass jars, There's always plenty of water to keep the glue warm when I have to glue something away from the hot plate, and to dip the brush in for cleaning up. Really, simple is best.  

[Jeffrey Holmes]

Believe it or not, I actually use a small actual glue pot with a ceramic insert (Herdim).  Nice reliable temperature control. I use small jars to heat various strengths or types of glue in and have nice hot, clean, distilled water surrounding it (for thinning, cleaning out brushes etc.).    About 20 years old and works fine.

[Ben Schindler]

Hey guys, thanks for your thoughts on that. 

I've actually used this wax warmer in the UK and really liked them. 

I might go back to that actually as the induction plate just seems a bad idea if bought cheap and not worth for the job if bought expensive...

[Conor Russell]

That's all very well, but can you straighten a cello bridge or make an espresso on it?

[Jeffrey Holmes]

That's all very well, but can you straighten a cello bridge or make an espresso on it?

 

I doubt it will work for either of those tasks, but have a nice little espresso maker and a dedicated vegetable steamer for bridge corrections.