Materials & Supplies

Power Supplies

 
Bench Top Units

Bench top power supplies provide a variety of functions for professional and hobby electricians.

These power supplies are quite useful because many can vary both voltage and amperage in order to fine tune the heat of your cutting wire. That said, you technically only need a variable voltage power supply with an adequate amperage rating for your particular application.

Don’t forget to consider the Mechanics and Over Current Protection of power supplies when choosing your model. As a general recommendation, do not run your power supply more than 80% of its overall potential to reduce the wear/tear on parts and prevent overheating.

Here is an additional link that helps describe linear and switching power supplies. Thanks to our friends over at MastechPowerSupply.com !!

This online website carries many different types of power supplies, and has a great search function for you to find exactly what you need. Click the banner for a direct link to the website to browse, or see my suggestions below.

I have personally referenced this website many times, and have sent many of users to this site to purchase power supplies for their Hot Wire Foam Cutters. While they may not have every power supply in stock, they are a great reference for finding what you need to potentially price shop elsewhere.

Suggestions

This power supply will be a bit more tricky, because the voltage selection is in finite increments. With a little circuit finesse you should be able to get this one to work. But be cautious of its amperage output.

This website is one of my newer finds, and has a variety of bench top supplies for a comparable price. Click the banner for a direct link to the website to browse, or see my suggestions below.

While these power supplies may be more or less than others, there is flat rate shipping to the continental US listed on the website with each power supply. So the grand total might actually be less for you than other options.

- 0-18V, 0-3A Variable Bench Top Power Supply              

- 0-30V, 0-5A Variable Bench Top Power Supply      

- 3-12V, 2A Bench Top Power Supply                              

Ideal cutter for Table Top Cutters, Straight Wire Mini Hand Cutter, and Large Hand Held Cutter Not Ideal for Rigid Wire Mini Hand Cutter, as it does not have enough amperage
Ideal for all cutters, with a variety of sizes, cutting wire lengths, and wire gauge. Probably the most ideal power supply for the price.

Suggestions

This power supply will be a bit more tricky, because the voltage selection is in finite increments. With a little circuit finesse you should be able to get this one to work. But be cautious of its amperage output.

- 0-15V, 0-3A Mastech HY1503C Variable Supply          

- 0-15V, 0-5A Mastech HY1505D Supply                        

- 3-12V, 2A Bench Top Power Supply                       

Ideal cutter for Table Top Cutters, Straight Wire Mini Hand Cutter, and Large Hand Held Cutter Not Ideal for Rigid Wire Mini Hand Cutter, as it does not have enough amperage There is a similar model to this under the Tattoo Power Supply section which may be a better deal as it comes with its own foot switch and clip cable. Although, the trade off is a bit lower amperage rating.___Tattoo.htmlshapeimage_9_link_0
Ideal for all cutters, with a variety of sizes, cutting wire lengths, and wire gauge. Probably the most ideal power supply for the price.

- 0-30V, 0-6A Mastech HY3006D Lab Grade Supply      

Ideal for all cutters, with a variety of sizes, cutting wire lengths, and wire gauge. Likely overkill for practically all applications, but for an $20USD in comparison to the first option above; you gain an extra amp which will allow you to run your rigid wire cutting devices a bit hotter.
Other Bench Top Units

I honestly feel that with the options I have provided you above, you should be able to find a bench top unit that will fit your needs

But if you wish to browse through a few more websites that I had come across, please feel free..!

If you happen to find a website worth mentioning, please send me a link through the Contact Page!

- Omnitron Electronics

- Apogeekits

- TTI-Plus.com

Probably the top website for purchasing Mastech Power Supplies, and they stock both DC or AC supplies.

Sean the webmaster for this site is great to deal with and can answer any question that you may have regarding their power supplies

support@mastechpowersupplies.com

Suggestions

- Variac AC Transformers

Just as before, these variable voltage AC units are great for almost every application.
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HELP ME KEEP THIS INFORMATION FREE & WITHOUT ADVERTISEMENTS! THINK OF IT AS BUYING A BOOK OR MAGAZINE I’M JUST A ONE MAN SHOW...https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=donations@hotwirefoamcutterinfo.com&lc=US&item_name=Hot%20Wire%20Foam%20Cutting%20Information&currency_code=USD&bn=PP-DonationsBF:btn_donateCC_LG.gif:NonHosted

A great team that has more than just power supplies. Circuit Specialists, Inc (or CSI) has both bench top DC power supplies and variable AC transformers.

Check out the links below for more information!

- Variac AC Transformers

Also known as variable AC transformers, Variacs are excellent power supplies at a fraction of the cost (when comparing output wattage). AC transformers are able to provide a wide range of voltages and supplied amperage to power almost every electrical NiChrome wire circuit. These 20amp & 30amp units are more than anyone would need.http://www.circuitspecialists.com/variac-tdgc2-2.htmlhttp://www.circuitspecialists.com/variac-tdgc-3kva.htmlshapeimage_20_link_0shapeimage_20_link_1

- Bench Power Supplies

Both bench top power supplies and switching bench power supplies are available through Circuit Specialists’ website. Single and Triple output programmable power supplies in stock and priced to MOVE! Bench top power supplies allow individual control of voltage and amperage to supply EXACTLY what you need. These power supplies are always a favorite for foam cutting enthusiasts. This 30v10a unit is very cost effective and will work for almost every hobby foam cutter. If you are not interested in making your own power supply, were ever going to buy one unit, that would be it.http://www.circuitspecialists.com/i-182253.htmlshapeimage_21_link_0

- 0-30V, 0-5A Mastech HY3005D Variable Supply

Not a bad DC power supply for the money. You can achieve a maximum of 5 amps which will heat rigid and straight wire cutters. Also, the high voltage will give a huge range of wire lengths.

- 0-30V, 0-10A Mastech HY3010D Variable Supply

A little more expensive than the 5amp unit, but double the amperage. Again, another great possibility.