![how to make a homemade pipe slitter how to make a homemade pipe slitter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gJg4VxS1S._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
You can use your multimeter to see if there's any current between the terminals. Are the lights still on? Is the hotwire still whole? Sweet. With your fire extinguisher handy and your body away from the device, plug it in. Turn the dimmer all the way down (counterclockwise). Take a moment to look over your creation and make sure all the wiring seems to make sense. Set the rig up somewhere where it won't catch the house on fire or melt the carpet if something is wired wrong, or if the wire overheats and breaks. Maybe you could make a version without a top and bottom, put some nice photos in it, and set a small plant pot inside with the plant sticking out? Have I mentioned that you should use a different design for your enclosure? I think this kind of box might have some other uses. If you drop the box, the transformer will shatter it. In the photo, the box has been turned on it's side. Then connect up all the wiring according to the diagram in the previous step, tape in the transformer, and tape the top on. Nibble or cut a hole for the dimmer switch and tape it in. Take the lid and plastic tray off a 4th cd case and throw them out. Don't tape over the gaps, they provide ventillation. The bottom will touch two opposite walls and there will be gaps under the other walls. Now take the lid off another case and tape it to the bottom of the 4 walls. Run a strip of packaging tape down each corner. Two CD cases are openned to right angles, then pushed together to make 4 walls. This box was made from 4 cd cases and some packaging tape. I really want to make a different box for this project, or buy a project box at Radio Shack. Use cable ties, twist ties or string to keep the wire close to the frame so it won't get in the way when you're using the tool. You'll see what I'm talking about here if you look at the photo. Strip the end of the one foot section and mount it to the other leg of the H the same way you hooked up the first wire. Cut the unmounted side of the split to about one foot.
![how to make a homemade pipe slitter how to make a homemade pipe slitter](https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/06b32b5b-d092-4f4c-90ee-11aab4f57888/svn/jonard-wire-strippers-ms-426-64_600.jpg)
Starting the the end you just hooked up, pull the two conductors of the cord apart so that it's split for about 3 1/2 feet. You can see what the final hook-up looks like close-up in the photos for step 7. Bend the bare wire of the extension cord (the part you just strippeed) into a U shape, and hook it around the screw between the two washers. You need room between the washers so you can put your wire in there. Put the nut on, but don't tighten it down at all. Use one washer on the screw head side and two on the nut side, as shown in the second picture below.
![how to make a homemade pipe slitter how to make a homemade pipe slitter](https://www.backyardboss.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/diy-log-splitter-loading-arm.jpg)
This is the leg that is on the other side of the H from the handle. Insert a machine screw in the top of the right leg of your "big H" as shown in the photo. Strip the insulation off the last inch of one end of one wire of the cord. Save the plug and outlets for future projects, if you like. First, cut off each end of your 12 foot extension cord. We'll use two machine screws as terminal posts. Now we're going to attach the wires that carry the 25V current to the cutting wire. These are for the box that holds the transformer and dimmer switch, but you would be much better off with something like a "project box" from Radio Shack. A piece of wooden dowel or stiff plastic rod about one foot long (not shown). I salvaged mine, but you could use another extention cord if you like. A length of two conductor electrical wire with a regular plug on the end. You should keep a spare handy because they can burn out or break from too much tension. I think around $1? You can get these individually at a music store or you can use either of the 2 smallest strings from a packaged set. A 25 volt, 2 amp transformer, $10.49 from Radio Shack. About 12 feet of strong, low-stretch string. 4 #10-24 x 1.25" machine screws with nuts, $1 at Home Depot 4. 2 wooden yard sticks from the Home Depot paint department, $.97 each 3. 12 foot, 16 guage extension cord, about $2 at Home Depot 2.