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Induction forges

Chris Cramer

Chris Cramer

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I was doing some research on building a good coal forge, when I came across an article on the induction forge/heater. Depending how much it would cost in electricity, a heater that efficient would be very useful for wrought iron work, and maybe blade smithing if the coil were big enough. According to most online articles it doesn't look like it would cost a whole lot or be difficult.
 
David_R8 said:
I watched a fellow use an induction heater thing and it was darn amazing. Took a one inch bar from cold to sparking hot in about 60 seconds. And he was holding onto to it with bare hands.
Found the video:
Click to expand...
Yes those have to be one of the coolest tools that I've ever wished for (and will likely die wishing for). Shaping metal AND extreme heat two of my favorite things!
 
Geez, a hundred bucks and you get all the bits to make one?... Hmmmm.....new project?
 
An induction coil and a timer are the big thing now for case annealing. I haven't gone that route.....yet. Maybe next winter's project.
 
I've been trying to convince my Boss to buy one for years. We harden a lot of O1 fixture gauge pins a year, and currently just use oxy/acetylene torch. An induction forge would be awesome for our process, and the ROI would be pretty quick.

I have one of the little 1000w ones from banggood, and it will actually bring stuff up to 1/4" to a dull red. I haven't played with it much, but I'm sure with some different coil shapes I could find some good uses for it. I just bought it as a toy to play with. Would love to get one of those big ones at home eventually, but have a much longer list of stuff I want first. I've been tempted to buy one of the 2500w ones but I'd rather just hold out for the big guy.
 
I just ordered that induction heater along with a set of graphite crucibles. I should receive them on Thursday. It’s probably only $100 because it’s a kit of parts. I like that because it allows me to design a more custom machine; but, of course I’ll test the unit before I add to it. The only thing I’m not really sure how to install, is the water cooling system. Is that supposed to pump water from a small water reservoir through the hose over the coil, or is the hose first filled with cold water which circulates through the hose continuously?
 
Chris Cramer said:
I just ordered that induction heater along with a set of graphite crucibles. I should receive them on Thursday. It’s probably only $100 because it’s a kit of parts. I like that because it allows me to design a more custom machine; but, of course I’ll test the unit before I add to it. The only thing I’m not really sure how to install, is the water cooling system. Is that supposed to pump water from a small water reservoir through the hose over the coil, or is the hose first filled with cold water which circulates through the hose continuously?
Click to expand...
Is it too much to ask for a build series?
 
What do you mean? I have watched several videos on how to build an induction heater, I was about to order the parts from digikey; but none of the videos use a water cooling system for the coil, they only cool the mosfets with the fan. That's probably because they are only 1KW but this one is 2.5KW.
 
Chris Cramer said:
What do you mean? I have watched several videos on how to build an induction heater, I was about to order the parts from digikey; but none of the videos use a water cooling system for the coil, they only cool the mosfets with the fan. That's probably because they are only 1KW but this one is 2.5KW.
Click to expand...
Only hoping that you document your build using that kit in case others are intimidated by it's kit nature.
 
I keep getting put off by the plumbing/water cooling requirements. The power consumption seems reasonable, and would actually be pretty good off my solar here in the fire season, when the neighbors are least happy with my solid fuel forges. But I keep imagining all sorts of "water everywhere" grief in my future with one of these.
 
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