Making a Spot Welder from an old microwave

Inspired by http://mad-science.wonderhowto.com/how-to/turn-microwave-oven-transformer-into-high-amperage-metal-melter-0140772/

Disclaimer, you really should not do this. Don’t try this unless you are really sure you know what your doing. Mains is dangerous, and microwaves even more so.

Work in Progress

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Picked up a broken microwave from freecycle

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Ok, Sticker.

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Getting the top off. There is a pretty bad smell coming from this microwave

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For something that is not meant to be user-serviceable all these components came out really easily. Here is what I was after

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A little disappointed its a small plastic transformer. I was expecting something bulkier and with a stronger metal case. But I will try it anyway

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Removed it from the board

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Removed the copper with some clippers and a screwdriver. the plastic is very brittle and breaks off easily, need to be careful

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All the second coil removed

Picked up some heavy duty cable from scrap at work

Picked up some heavy duty cable from scrap at work

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Gave the secondary coil a winding to have a quick test

Wired up a cable to a chocolate block to test

Wired up a cable to a chocolate block

It didn't really work

It didn’t really work

Another microwave

Another microwave

New Transformer, much more like what I was looking for. Also bought a circuit breaker so I don't blow the mains if it is faulty too

and out of it a new transformer, much more like what I was looking for. I also bought a circuit breaker so I don’t necessarily blow the mains if this one is faulty too

 

 

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