1.2 or 3 Amp transformer for embedding wire?

[BeeCurious]

Radio Shack has a 3 Amp transformer for about $10 and a 1.2 amp for around $8.00

Are either of these adequate for a hobbyist?

[Sundance]

Either will work. The real question for me is quality
and durability. I'd opt for the heavier one for that reason.

[iddee]

Out of 5 battery chargers at 2 amp, 2 worked well. 1 would not heat the wire, and the other 2 were too hot. Getting the charger out and setting it up was too much of a pain, so I finally broke down and bought the one from Kelley.
I have been using it for years and have never had a problem. Money well spent, IMHO.

[Sundance]

Iddee has a great point, especially if you're going to to a
any amount of embedding. If you build one, make it an
adjustable one. One too hot can slice foundation in a
heart beat.

[Walt McBride]

I have used the same 12.6V 1.2A transformer for my wireing now for about 28 years now. It does get hot and I am amazed that it has not burned up. I bought it at a electronics parts store for about $2.
The higher, 3 amp transformer would run cooler and the embeding wire would heat faster.
After about 20 deep frames I stop and let the transformer cool while I string 20 more frames.
I would say that either will get the job done, the higher amp one will run cooler and should give you long service.
Walt

[odfrank]

I use a 24v transformer from an old sprinkler clock. Many landscapers would have old ones to probably give to you (speaking for myself). I must have about two dozen or more.

[Ishi]

You can get a 24 volt transformer from most heating and air condition company. They throw them away with the old units when they install a new furnace. They are in the furnace to run the thermostat.

[Barry]

This is the setup Dee Lusby uses, using an iron base as your resistor. Works great.

http://www.beesource.com/eob/wire_embedder/index.htm

[bjerm2]

Hi, I use an 2-10 amp battery charger. I set it at 2 amps and it imbeds the wire nicely into the wax. The clamps are attached to insulated speaker wire and then one of the wires is connected to the wire in the frame and the other on my spur wire imbedder. I find that this is quite good. Also if my car battery dies I have a battery charger to help out. I have done many frames like this.
Dan

[Ruben]

I get a car battery that still has a little life left in it, and two 14 gauge wires with clips on the end. Then I clip one of the 14 gauge wires to the cross wire of the frame and the other end to the positive battery terminal. Then I take the other 14 gauge wire and attach to the negative battery terminal, with the opposite end of the 14 gauge wire I strike it across the other end of the frames wire just enough to create two to three arc's across the wire while lightly depressing the foundation to the wire. It melts right in great, just don't leave the wire attached more than one second or you will have two pieces of foundation as it makes a great foundation cutter also :) . That is my free version of a wax embedder.