Spot Welder from a broken 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 by itself; Using microwave transformers like this is much higher risk.

 

Part 1 – Microwave Disassembly

Part 2 – Modifying the Transformer and testing the theory

Part 3 – Collecting the parts and preparing the case

Part 4 – Putting the chassis together

Part 5 – Electrodes and Wiring

Part 6  – Final wiring and assembly

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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

 

Part 1 – Microwave Disassembly

Part 2 – Modifying the Transformer and testing the theory

Part 3 – Collecting the parts and preparing the case

Part 4 – Putting the chassis together

Part 5 – Electrodes and Wiring

Part 6  – Final wiring and assembly

Comments

  1. Kyle March 5, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    I found the exact same microwave and disassembled it. Things didn’t end well for the transformer, it doesn’t like the mains 😛

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