Electric resistance heater assembly

An improved electric resistance heater assembly for soldering tools, glue guns, hair dryers, heat pencils, paint removers, etc., includes, as the core of the assembly, an open-ended tube of a ceramic material having good electrical insulation properties with good thermal conductivity, low heat capacity and a high softening temperature. A conduit extends lengthwise through the wall of the tube from end to end thereof and first and second spring-tempered split metallic compression bands of smaller diameter than the tube are placed at each end of the tube and retained thereon by compressive stress. A plurality of turns of resistance wire are wound about the outer periphery of the tube between the bands with each end of the wire welded to a respective one of the bands. An first electric lead is welded to the first band. A second electric lead is welded to the second band and extends lengthwise through the conduit and exits the conduit near the first band. The assembly permits the separation of the resistance wire winding process from the electrical connection process, leading to simplicity in design and manufacturing procedures.