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I am looking to get some heating blankets for guitar repair (not the bending blanket). I was wondering is it really worth it to get that expensive temperature controller? Would it be safe to simply hook it up to a dimmer switch to dial in its heat?

thanks

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

If the watts rating of the dimmer is more than the watts output on the blanket it'll be fine.

I purchased a small one 1 1/4in by 18in from Omega heats only to 250 deg F and temp can be controlled with a router speed control, mine comes from taiwan, so can regulate heat between 150-250. Omega has many sizes depending on what your needs are.

Are Omega's cheaper than LMI? I'm not really interested in bending blankets, just ones for guitar repair (so I can direct heat to only the bridge/fingerboard/etc to minimize damage)

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Yes. Omega blankets are much cheaper.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

+1 omega , I like them , vy slow to heat up, yes cheaper than LMI.

I looked at Omega... not only they don't have the size I'm looking for (I don't think I can just cut one down to fit my application), they do not seem any cheaper than LMI unless I get those odd sized ones...

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

What specific blanket are you looking for? If it is a rectangle shape you can custom order it (size and wattage) at omega. I haven’t looked to check out if they have the trapezoid (bridge plate shaped) ones, but the rectangles, or circles are inexpensive in the small size.

They also have a bunch on ebay that might be worth trying. Of course you could also go with a sponsor.

Omega has a HUGE selection of blankets. I bought one with 5 watts per cubic inch and it heats VERY fast (6" x 36" $80 I think). I also called and got some great service so if you have a special need they can help. The difference between the blanket I bought and the ones I've seen at LMI etc. is the leads are very small on the omegas and you have to install your own plug. If I could afford the blankets from John Hall or LMI I'd but one of those - budget just doesn't allow right now.

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Thank You and Best To All

Todd - that is interesting -

when I look at the Omega site and the ProTherm site - I notice they have some of the same images. could it be their blankets are the same ? or made by the same manufacture with different branding ?

Note the images:
http://www.prothermind.com/silicone.html

vs

http://www.omega.com/pptst/SRMU_HEATER.html

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

I can tell you that the images are not the same , or the quality. When I started to do this 14 yrs ago I tried the different manufactured blankets. The other brands didn't hold up . That is why I use protherm . They are designed and use a different surface finish. I stand by these and guarantee them for a year. The take the abuse .
Most heat blankets are designed to be a barrel heater. They are not designed to be used in a moving process.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it