Homebrew PCBs

> Hi all
> 
> Well it seems I have hit on a solution to temperature control that works for me :D I dismantled and old clothes iron. Removed it's bi-metal thermostatic control and fitted it to the laminator. The control was only held in the iron by a bolt so that and 2 wires later I had it fitted. The case needed fettling to allow fixing the unit back into it but it's all working. Set to a little over polyestor, 5 passes to heat the PCB and 10 to toner transfer.
> 
> The test PCB is fantastic! Crisp, clean, and no remeadial work needed as everything stuck as it should :D :D.
> 
> Please note this is playing with 240VAC!!!! Safety safety safety!!!
>

Hey, I LIKE that idea - there should be an old iron lying around here somewhere - think I've got one on the boat. I WILL take that for a control. Do you have a temperature indicator?  I took a short peice of type J thermocouple wire and screwed tight again the metal where the thermal switch went and connected to a 50mV meter - just read the mV signal to determine temperature.  I checked the mV meter with a pot of boiling water - indicated 5.23mV with a good rolling boil - or 212F here at sea level.  Pretty close.

Only 120VAC here in the USA - but that still tingles (speaking from LOTS of experience)

Thanks for the idea.

Ken H>