Budget Induction Smelting
I've been wanting to try and melt what I think is gold powder down into a button for a while. I've been messing with using some parts from eBay to make a cheap induction furnace.
Parts:
- ZVS Induction Heating Board
- 36VDC 25A Power supply (with 12v aux supply)
- A mini 12v quiet aquarium/fountain pump, product isn't listed anymore
The ZVS board won't start until it detects something ferrous enter the induction coil. If the item is too big it will shutdown with a flashing LED indicating an overload and can be reset by pressing the tactile button.
I haven't been able to melt anything yet, my graphite crucible overloads the circuit, but I have a few 20x20mm crucibles on their way.
1/14/20
I got the 20mm crucibles in and take a look:
I'm able to get the thing to actually heat up, but the mixture just doesn't seem to get hot enough to fully liquefy, just go glassy. I used chapman flux and black sand.