I need some expert advice on a power supply circuit. Normally I would
have asked my friend who was an electronic wiz, but he's just passed
away
this year so I need a new electronic expert. I know this is probably a
lot to ask, but I figured there might be some kind soul who might lend
a little of their time. I would gladly exchange what knowledge I have
on other subjects such as AutoCAD, Linux, programming, etc.

I want to make a power supply circuit for a foam cutter. I've been
researching them on the Internet and found a number of different plans,
but I don't know enough about electronics to judge which one would be
best and if any of them could be modified (safely) to fit some of the
parts I already have. My skills are limited to soldering and following
a good set of instructions, not design.

I've found these different designs:
http://members.fortunecity.co.uk/slm...interest2A.htm
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadge...e/hotwire.html
http://nsrca.org/technical/tip_trick...wer_supply.htm

From the sites I've read many recommend that you do not use nichrome
wire. So I have some stainless steel wire (0.020in DIA) left over
from a different project. I have no idea what ohms/foot rating it has.
Also I have a working transformer that is 120V input and 12V 8amp
output.
Most of these designs call for 24V transformers.

My questions a
1. Which design do you think would give the best control of the wire
temperature?
2. Can any of these designs work with the wire and transformer that I
already have?
If so, what changes to the components (if any) would be required?

Thanks in advance
Brian

I need some expert advice
BrianS

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.basics/browse_frm/thread/7b7c0624331012bb/3958f18673b5f374?q=EVERY-group-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-appear+*-proper-answer-*-*-*-given+much-easier-*-*-*-*-what's-going-on+*-frowned-on+*-correcting+*-polite-*-mention-*-*-*-*-*-*-*+Just-because-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-does-not-mean-*-*-*-*-*-*+*-Followup-To-*+*-*-*-too-lazy-*-*-*-*-*-appropriate-*+*-*-_perfect_-*-*-*-*+*-*-*-*-two-groups-*-*-aren't-*-different