DIY induction bolt heater?

[JBradley500]

I was just wondering if anyone has made one of these with success? It seems like a few years ago on this site, buying induction bolt heaters were always a topic. Since I started coming back on GJ, I don’t think I’ve heard a peep about them. I see they’re still expensive as hell, IMO. I’d make one if it could be done for a reasonable amount.

Thanks!

 

[Tallpilot]

I am thinking about one although I don't see that much rust. I think our northern friends would get far more use out of them. I don't really understand why they are so much money. It doesn't seem like a particularly complex device.

 

[dogdog]

dependents on your DIY needs... not sure, there are few pre-build units off ebay just search, the pre-build ones are much cheaper....... Not sure if you can build it any cheaper though, those right parts are not cheap. There are two parts of these, the power supply and the induction unit, and there is a catch for those that uses those regulated power supply units or something I think.... you can DIY the coils if you can find some nickle plated bare wire 12Ga or 10Ga... and some fiberglass sleeves... for cheap that is... or you can buy pre-made ones...

I have the mini-ductor, it's handy and ok size..... only one complain, If you can't wrap the coil around the object to be heated, it is useless...

 

[seber]

I don't think that would be a DIY project. You need to get the voltage and frequency matched to the coil. You must also run coolant through the coil.

 

[WWheeler]

A few years ago my neighbor and his son across the street built one after watching a bunch of youtube videos how. He made several different size coils to go with it. I borrowed it once, or rather he brought it over and put it to use for me on a trailer I was working on, and it worked like a champ. I wish he hadn't moved away because I had always meant to build one same as his but never got around to it.

Anywho, I'm in this thread to see where it goes.

 

[rijndael]

Here's a commonly made annealer made for rifle brass. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/induction-brass-annealer-redux.3908353/

 

[Billythekid1]

So I have thought about useing a old American beauty soldering iron there just a heavy duty soldering iron there is a replaceable copper tip and was thinking u could rig the coils out of thick copper wire ??? Anyone see a reason this wouldn't work ? U can get the soldering irons on eBay or find them at sales I see them semi frequently no one around me buys them I have a 600 watt one and a couple 300 watt ones

 

[RPH]

If one wants to get to the bare bone basics you can use a wall plug and a home made coil. Won’t be the most efficient unit. Frequency determines the thermal penetration of the current. The higher the frequency the more skin effect happens. I have worked on 60 Hz systems for shrinking gears and bearings on to a shaft. High end is 450 kHz for heat treat on specialized parts. Most equipment runs in the 3 kHz to 100 kHz range. 60 Hz is used mainly for melting scrap metal, it penetrates to the core. I have worked in the induction industry for 27 years and know a thing or two about power supplies and various processes.

 

[gungatim]

I never did build mine, bought the kit off ebay but never got around to figuring out the 48v power supply. do a search, there's a thread on here about a few guys trying it.