jawod wrote:

I have an old kitchen microwave unit whose only fault is that the
digital readout is broken. As a neophyte homebrew guy (kits only so
far...Elecraft K2, etc), Is there anything worth salvaging from this unit?

Thanks!

John
AB8O

It's definitely worth keeping the transformer if you have space to store it,
some people make spot-welders or arc welders from several microwave oven
transformers, by removing the secondary winding and winding on a new one.

I can't think of many sane uses for the intact magnetron but perhaps there
are some, given sufficient safety precautions.

I would strongly advise against applying power to the transformer with the
existing secondary winding in place, unless you can be *completely* certain
that you won't get a shock (e.g. all components and wiring should be inside
an earthed metal box). Those transformers will arc through clothing, will
provide more than enough current to kill you without blowing the fuse, and
the primary to secondary isolation means that earth-leakage circuit
breakers (also called residual current circuit breakers) will not protect
you. I certainly don't mean to discourage you from using the parts from
the oven but that is one appliance that really could kill you so just be
careful.

Chris