induction heater

[metalmeltr]

Any one use an induction heater insted of a torch or forge?

 

[Bill Burke]

the induction forges are a great compaion to a forge but will not replace a forge. Dave lische has both maybe he will chime in

 

[metalmeltr]

Why wouldnt induction replace traditonal methods? From what I have seen indction would blow traditional methods out of the water.

 

[Russ Andrews]

Kayne and Son has/had a kit for building an induction forge ( $3K+).
I'd wonder whether atmosphere could be controlled, and if that would
be an issue, given the speed at which induction is supposed to heat.

 

[Bill Burke]

Why wouldnt induction replace traditonal methods? From what I have seen indction would blow traditional methods out of the water.

The induction is very cool don't get me wrong, but they do have certain limitations. Tom Ferry brought one to a hammer in and was kind enough to let some of us do some playing. if you have enough monet to buy one with enough power then I imagine that it would replace a conventional gas or coal/coke/charcoal forge but it would take lots of power to run it.

 

[Plain ol Bill]

Actually Bill they are very economical to operate. They are inverter type powered and don't use much lectricity at all. Compared to fuel cost in a forge they are cheaper to operate. But like you I don't think they will ever take the place of a forge. The designing of and making the coils to work with them are a matter of a lot of trial and error to get the heat into the object to be heated. I have had Toms induction in my shop and played with it quite a bit. Handy little devil to have and fun to use. As you know Tom has done a lot of research into using his for heat treating blades and is very succesful using it. But Tom would tell you in a heartbeat if he had to decide between his forge or the induction the induction would go.
Hey Bill - come visit!

 

[Bill Burke]

hey Bill, I might just do that one of these days.

 

[richard j]

smitty0331 works on induction heaters. we were talking a few weeks ago about hooking one up just for heat treating. he told me you can use a tig welder to power the unit. i'll send him the link to this thread and maybe he'll answer some questions.