So Simple... It's Beautiful

[KLaw]

I want to heat up 20 large, metal paper clips to about 375 degrees. Obviously, obtaining the paper clips is the easy part. The "heater box" must be small and easily stowed away when not in use. Usage would be about 4 times per week. I've already tested the idea via placing the clips in the oven and it works perfectly. I've spoken to 17 biz owners and they have validated the need - yes -all of them.

What "heater boxes" are already out there that I could use? I will be more specific if i get any responses. Also, if this is not the right forum for this question, I'd certainly be appreciative of other suggested websites.

Originally, my thought was to heat a small metal strip (with a protective housing) and just slide the clips on to the strip. However, I gotta think there is already something out there . Any ideas?

As always, I appreciate the help.

 

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[chrischapman]

what the hell? why would anyone want to heat up their paperclips? how is there a business need for this???? im missing something obviously hahaha

 

[KLaw]

So, your input is.. No need to respond if that is all u got.

what the hell? why would anyone want to heat up their paperclips? how is there a business need for this???? im missing something obviousl

 

[AllenCrawley]

Wouldn't a portable/small kiln fit the bill?

 

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[KLaw]

Wouldn't a portable/small kiln fit the bill?

no not a kiln. think about something u may place on ur kitchen counter top. thanks for the reply though.

 

[Tyman]

Why do people want to heat up large paperclips?

 

[KLaw]

dont get hung up on the why. get on hung up on the how!

 

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[AllenCrawley]

Countertop pizza oven
Countertop craft/clay oven
Toaster oven

 

[biophase]

Make a small toaster oven. Find a small cheap one and take it apart.

Or get a curling iron, take it apart and install a box around it.

Or use a soldering iron in a skinny box, attach a timer to it.

Or get a heating wand and just put in on a heating pad and lay the clips on top of it.

 

[KLaw]

Countertop pizza oven
Countertop craft/clay oven
Toaster oven

keep going. i thought these same things. but remember we are talking paperclips - need a much smaller version.

 

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[KLaw]

Make a small toaster oven. Find a small cheap one and take it apart.

Or get a curling iron, take it apart and install a box around it.

Or use a soldering iron in a skinny box, attach a timer to it.

Or get a heating wand and just put in on a heating pad and lay the clips on top of it.

Thanks for the response but I dont want re-invent something I believe is already out there.

 

[KLaw]

also thought about (think shoe holders on the back of ur closet door) heated up like a electric blanket but a much much smaller version...

 

[biophase]

What product would be out there that would want to heat a tiny object to 375 in an enclosed manor?

Many a laboratory machine but it would be very expensive

 

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[biophase]

also thought about (think shoe holders on the back of ur closet door) heated up like a electric blanket but a much much smaller version...

Don't understand how a shoe holder would help.

 

[Turbo]

If you pass an electrical current through the paper clips, they will surely heat up to desired temp. This would require a variable power supply and some trial and error. No need to heat through convection like a standard oven, so this should eliminate the issues that a flame presents.

 

[Berters]

Some really wide hair straighteners?

 

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[firmwear]

If you look up "hot plate" on Amazon, you can find a lot of products for less than $20.
If you look up "electric kettle", you can find a lot of products for less than $10.
I am not sure if either of those will reach 375 deg F.

Also, if you decide to go custom, you can find heater panels here: http://www.newark.com/heater-panel

 

[Mattie]

Start a bonfire with lots of pine needles and branches, watch it roar 20 Miles high. Stick a pot in the fire with the paper clips. I'm sure they'll melt. I've melted lots of things that way just experimenting.

 

[Christos]

Maybe an induction heater is what you need. You can find a good explanation of the way it works on Wikipedia.
Good luck.

 

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[timmy]

A spring mounted extension tray onto your existing electric kettle element that provides a miniature area visible when kettle is nearly empty. Extends the element when not in use. Caution .....This may not be legal ...or safe..lol . In Europe we have 220 volt electricity. Enough to kill.............".Edit...Just thinking now.....A 25mm X25mm galvanised steel (corrosion resistant) solid steel block, that could potentially use any secondary source of heat through conduction to meet desires temperature. ....good luck with it.

 

[Guest3722A]

Thanks for the response but I dont want re-invent something I believe is already out there.

Have you thought about snooping around in here a bit: http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/electric-heater-box.html

There's over 200 pages to go through of different types of heater boxes. Maybe something will lead you in the right direction.

 

[Marc B.]

Does it matter how the paperclips are heated? Radiation, conduction, induction?

 

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[SteveO]

Perhaps a miniature crock pot.

 

[Joe Cassandra]

If you pass an electrical current through the paper clips, they will surely heat up to desired temp. This would require a variable power supply and some trial and error. No need to heat through convection like a standard oven, so this should eliminate the issues that a flame presents.

This may be the way to go, all you would need is to have an electrical supply i.e. a wall outlet, rig up a current and it should heat it up fine, controlling how much it heats up as Turbo says would require trial and error varying the amounts of voltage etc.

 

[themaxx]

I hope you're not going to do what I think you're gonna do with those heated paper clips.

 

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[KLaw]

Does it matter how the paperclips are heated? Radiation, conduction, induction?

nope

 

[KLaw]

There are some really great responses. Thanks to all for taking your time to respond. I will keep you posted.

 

[Bossgirl]

Sounds like a heating stove that some hairdressers use for heating curling irons would do the trick. Its small enough and gets really hot. http://www.sallybeauty.com/ceramic-thermal-stove/SBS-566101,default,pd.html#start=4

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

I'm officially lost.

 

[themaxx]

I'm officially lost.

You must unlearn what you have learned