Seal Press needs to be rewired

[Renato Tonelli]

My smaller Seal Press needs its brittle/breaking electrical wires replaced. These wires are NOT plastic coated type; they are coated with a cloth-type of material.
What is it called and where can I source a small quantity of such wiring?

Any leads will be much appreciated.

 

[ags2mikon]

Replace it with modern high quality cord. I have not seen the cord sold that originally came on them in decades. The last thing you want to have is a fire in your darkroom or studio. I replaced my cords a long time ago with 3 conductor 12 gauge and grounded the thing. I hate getting tickled by Mr. Edison's current friends. You don't really want to join the resistance.

 

[film4Me]

What is it called and where can I source a small quantity of such wiring?

"Fabric Covered" "Fabric Braided" "Cotton Covered" ... there's various names to describe it.

Now-a-days it has a plastic insulator under the fabric for safety.

Here is a screenshot ...

 

[mshchem]

Yeah, might be your old cord has a bit of asbestos. That is pretty old cord.

 

[mshchem]

Replace it with modern high quality cord. I have not seen the cord sold that originally came on them in decades. The last thing you want to have is a fire in your darkroom or studio. I replaced my cords a long time ago with 3 conductor 12 gauge and grounded the thing. I hate getting tickled by Mr. Edison's current friends. You don't really want to join the resistance.

Edison helped electrocute an elephant

 

[Brendan Quirk]

Replace it with modern high quality cord. I have not seen the cord sold that originally came on them in decades. The last thing you want to have is a fire in your darkroom or studio. I replaced my cords a long time ago with 3 conductor 12 gauge and grounded the thing. I hate getting tickled by Mr. Edison's current friends. You don't really want to join the resistance.

Puns are fun!

 

[ic-racer]

I'd use high temp wire:

 

[mshchem]

I'd use high temp wire:

Those are too little, are there any 14 or 12 g listed? I would just go to Home Depot and find a replacement cord 14 g 3 wires, black, white and green, plug already on one end. If you want the nice, flexible cloth covered wire I would try a fix-it shop that does lamp repairs etc.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

I should have specified that it is the wires between the platen and the top portion of the the press that need to be replaced - the single wires -, (not the cord that plugs into the wall).

 

[bernard_L]

Safety first. Check the maximum temperature at any point of these wires during operation. Check the rated operating temperature of the new wires that you are considering.

 

[mshchem]

I would take it to a shop that repairs hot plates.

 

[koraks]

"Fabric Covered" "Fabric Braided" "Cotton Covered" ... there's various names to describe it.

Now-a-days it has a plastic insulator under the fabric for safety.

Hold on! That's mostly for aesthetics. I would not recommend it in this application, since the plastic insulator is not high-temp resistant.

I'd use high temp wire:

Most definitely.

In modern cables with a braided mantle, I think the mantle is some kind of teflon. But it doesn't have to be braided. IDK what it was on the old cables; possibly asbestos (!!!)

 

[stevenje]

If you are going to replace the wiring yourself, I would highly recommend consulting a repair shop that is familiar with this type of work. They should be able tell you exactly what type of wire is needed and the appropriate replacement terminations if need.

Using the wrong wiring and terminations could lead to a fire or possible electrocution.

You only want to do this repair one time. Get the right information from a reliable source.

 

[Logical1]

As a licensed Master Electrician, I would refer to the National Electric Code, table 310.4(1), conductors rated for under 600 volts. I would be looking for a conductor that has a maximum temperature rating GREATER than the highest setting of the thermostat. Maximum conductor operating temperatures in this table range from 140f to as high as 392f. Specialty wires go even higher. Looking for replacement conductors, I would go an appliance repair shop and purchase conductors for use in a range or oven. Ranges and ovens use conductors that are suitable for 500+ degrees farenheit. Size the conductor for the load applied. If the press is rated at 15 amps, use #14 wire, 10 amps would require a minimum of #16. In addition to the temperature you need to be aware of the flexibility of the conductor for when the press is opened and closed. Do not use a single strand conductor. The more strands the better.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

As a licensed Master Electrician, I would refer to the National Electric Code, table 310.4(1), conductors rated for under 600 volts. I would be looking for a conductor that has a maximum temperature rating GREATER than the highest setting of the thermostat. Maximum conductor operating temperatures in this table range from 140f to as high as 392f. Specialty wires go even higher. Looking for replacement conductors, I would go an appliance repair shop and purchase conductors for use in a range or oven. Ranges and ovens use conductors that are suitable for 500+ degrees farenheit. Size the conductor for the load applied. If the press is rated at 15 amps, use #14 wire, 10 amps would require a minimum of #16. In addition to the temperature you need to be aware of the flexibility of the conductor for when the press is opened and closed. Do not use a single strand conductor. The more strands the better.

Thank you all. Excellent advice.

 

[mshchem]

2005 here at APUG

Seal Drymount Repair

I picked up a Seal 360M drymount press last week. It is a beast, 26" x 34" and weighs about 200 lbs. I knew it didn't work, it had been neglected, but was too good to pass up. First off I disassembled everything except the top platen / heater assembly. Scrubbed all the parts, drilled & tapped...

www.photrio.com

 

[mshchem]

Mechanical Presses Archives - D & K Group

www.dkgroup.com

These guys look like the current manufacturer/distributor

 

[Mal Paso]

I would take it to a shop that repairs hot plates.

Do such places still exist?

Nickel Hinge Wire is nickel coated Copper stranded wire with a high temperature insulation. I bought a small roll to repair an oven and just having the roll has eliminated the need to repair another high temp device for the last 20 years. Works Great!

 

[mshchem]

Do such places still exist?

Nickel Hinge Wire is nickel coated Copper stranded wire with a high temperature insulation. I bought a small roll to repair an oven and just having the roll has eliminated the need to repair another high temp device for the last 20 years. Works Great!

Excellent strategy!!