Dead Microwave Oven

[Chunky]

My microwave went belly up. I was getting ready to put it in the trash and then it occurred to me that there might be something in it that I could use on my CNC Router. Is there?

[pakaloha808]

I've seen what looks like limit switches in most microwaves.
BTW, did you know that you can make an arc welder from the transformers?
But, you need 8 of them - big ones - and you have to rewind the secondaries -
(too much work for me)

[lerman]

See Bubba's guide to rewinding the power transformer.

The big magnets can sometimes be handy to have around.

Ken

[ger21]

Originally Posted by lerman See Bubba's guide to rewinding the power transformer.

http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?n...warticle&id=27

[sol]

Things I have used from dead microwaves...not all CNC

Micro switches
Relays
Display
Turntable motor (for Artsy-fartsy project)
Transformer (rewound secondary for CNC) {Thanks for the how-to, Bubba!}
Magnets (handy chuck-key holder at drill press)
Sheet metal cabinet (cut up for anything and everything)
Glass tray
Bulb socket
Fan
Misc hardware

Waste not, want not, ya know
It's not the dime that it saves, it's the hour round trip to town.

[Ferenczyg]

If you rewind the hi-V of the trafo to very low V (say 1V to 3V using 3 turns of 1/2"), then you will have a very high A trafo (say 500A for 2KW trafo), that is useful for, by example, to make a spot welder capable of welding steel sheet of about 1/10"

Not sure if useful for you, but I can assure is funny.

/Fer

[Chunky]

Bad news gang. Decided I just put the meter to it just to make sure it wasn't easily repairable. (It's always been my experience that they aren't). Found a blown fuse deep inside. Got it working again. I realize the blown fuse means there's something else wrong, but with my luck it'll just work from now on. My wife thinks it would be stupid to gut it while it still works. Thanks for all the tips.