DIY redneck carbidizer

Gody

Gody

Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
351
First a disclaimer: I really don't know much about electricity and neither one of theese electronic devices are meant to be used in this manor so anyone brave or stupid enough to attempt to dublicate this "build", do so without me being responsible.

However, this device was built so easily that I want to share it with you guys.

Background; I needed a carbidizer but I was on a budget and living in Sweden, I could not find one that would fit our 230 volt single phase power grid. I already owned a Dremel engraver but I could not find a complete and detailed information about building the rest. The little pieces of info I did find, seemed to suggest that the power output needed to be around 25 volts and 0,9 amps, but I do not pocess the skils needed to build one myself, so I started looking for alternatives. By chance, I stumbled upon an old charger for a laptop computer, with a DC output of 18 volts and 3,5 amps. I split the output cable, connected one wire to the tip of the engraver and the other to the workpiece ( No, I had no Idea which one was the anode and which was the cathode) and fired it up. Much to my surprise, it worked right there. I have tried it on a few linerlock faces and some scrap pieces and it really seems to work. Sticky locks are sticky no more.
Now, I have no doubt that a proper unit will work better and/or faster, but it solved an immideate problem for me without any costs.



Brian
 

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You got me interested - I just ordered a dremel engraver to play around with this. I've got plenty of power supplies to work with. Thanks for posting.

When you're carbizing, do you get any thickness build up? Even a thousandths or so?

Ken H>
 
Honestly I have not measured :o but I will do so and let you know. Idon't think it is a lot though. The deposit is clearly visible but It has not been necessary to refit any locks.

Brian
 
[video=youtube;-n2h8ctYju8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n2h8ctYju8[/video]
 
@Ken,

I measured and it seems I build about 1 to 1,5 /1000 of an inch, so there is a deposit but not much. The question is how durable it is in the long run.

@ Idaho,

Thanks for your response. You have obviously done a thorough research on the subject and it was very interesting to read. Like I said in my original post, I´m pretty sure, or to clarify, I´m certain that a professionally bought or built unit will work better. This was just me playing around with what I found and sharing my observations.

@ Dave,

Thanks for posting. That video was new to me and very informative. I noticed that he had the best result with a voltage of around 40, but I don't think he mentioned the amp setting?

I actually tested using my anodizer as power source and let me just say that it was NOT recommendable. I know Brian Fellhoelter killed a variac doing it this way. I did`nt but just touching the material (titanium) would almost burn through. I´m guessing that´s because that unit lacks the resistor and capacitator or maybe the amp setting is too high. The reason the laptop charger works to some degree, probably is that it already contains these components, but again, I´m totally guessing here. It does however store power even when unplugged just like in the video. I´m gonna check with an electrician to see if we can build something better.

Brian
 
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