Hot wire foam cutter

Step 11 My crappy project box

I really want to make a different box for this project, or buy a project box at Radio Shack. This box was made from 4 cd cases and some packaging tape. Two CD cases are openned to right angles, then pushed together to make 4 walls. The corners join up nicely. Run a strip of packaging tape down each corner. Now take the lid off another case and tape it to the bottom of the 4 walls. The bottom will touch two opposite walls and there will be gaps under the other walls. Don't tape over the gaps, they provide ventillation. Take the lid and plastic tray off a 4th cd case and throw them out. Nibble or cut a hole for the dimmer switch and tape it in. Then connect up all the wiring according to the diagram in the previous step, tape in the transformer, and tape the top on. In the photo, the box has been turned on it's side.

If you drop the box, the transformer will shatter it. Have I mentioned that you should use a different design for your enclosure?

I think this kind of box might have some other uses. Maybe you could make a version without a top and bottom, put some nice photos in it, and set a small plant pot inside with the plant sticking out?

Comments

[steve cook]

OK we just built ur home made hot wire cutter and I find for small projects it is great but the wire u used for cutting keeps breaking after short usage and should we be yousing the ground wires ? ur instructions did not say what to do with them. but I must say it is a great do it ur self project it was easy to put together and ur pictures wear a really big help and ur prices for the parts wear almost on the penny and I defiantly would suggest to any one how is looking for a small project hot wire to visit ur page thanks so much

[_-MacGyver-_]

dude, go to home depot, and get some 16 gauge wire, that stuff wont ever fall apart

[Jonny Appleseed]

Well i say that thats pretty cool... cuz i like jury rigged things = D
Awesome instructible