Originally Posted by
J Miller
I have cleaned and rebuilt a number of controllers that have those little asbestos insulators in them. I handle them carefully and then put them back. Don't ingest the stuff and it's a non-issue. Those little insulators are always sandwiched between things. Usually the ceramic resistance unit and the metal outer housing. So using the controller does not cause them to move or degrade.
If they are damaged replacing them with the phenolic washers is a good idea. Now, just where does one get such phenolic washers? I've no idea.
The backs to every cord block I've looked at have either been cardboard or plastic. Never seen one of those made from asbestos.
Joe
Thanks Joe! I am going into town today so I will check with Fastenal if they have such washers. If not terribly expensive I've get some to have on hand.
For the cord block, I was thinking heavy cardboard too. I've taken a couple apart and re-wired them without too much trouble. Then yesterday people were giving such strong opinions (unsafe! unsafe!) to some poor gal who was trying to get one open that before I told them they were crazy, I thought I'd better check my facts lol!