Disassembly of microwave

[Bob McCarty]

Our 30 year old one bit the bullet last night, lighting a potato on fire . If I take it apart is there anything that might "bite" (like a capacitor, etc.)?

Thanks, Bob

[ScottyD'sdad]

Dang! Bob, you're cheaper than I am !!! Spring for a new one! 30 years is a good lifespan!
Ed

[Bob McCarty]

Ed, I'm not going to try and fix it, just wanted to do the dissection.

Bob

[Don McCombs]

When our 15 year old microwave started to give us trouble, the appliance repair guy we use wouldn't even come out to look at it. He said, even if he could get the parts, it's cheaper to buy a new one. Give it up, Bob.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I have not dug into the new ones, but the ones I went to school on 35 years ago definitely would bite, even after being disconnected a while. You will be disappointed when you open it up, it consists of a timer on a chip, plus the push buttons and display, several safety switches, a high voltage power supply, a Magnetron tube inside a shielded cavity. And finally ducts to direct the energy from the Magnetron into the oven cavity. As I recall, there is a very minute amount of radioactive material in that Magnetron tube, I suggest not breaking it, though it is pretty sturdy.

[Boss Hog]

the transformer will make a dandy spot welder

[Dennis]

Bob, I'm suspicious that you might be trying to make a Cub-Detector.

[BIGHOSS]

Hmm....Dennis you may be on to something. Bob in another post today mentioned that he did an exact floor layout of his cubs, implements and other stuff while sizing his new building, in order to have enough floor space. My question to Bob is "did you make space allowance for future purchases".

[tmays]

the transformer will make a dandy spot welder

Yep

[Super A]

My FIL is a former telephone man and knows a lot about electronics. When their 30+ year old microwave went on the fritz, he took it apart and got it going, but it didn't last long.

Al

[randallc]

Condenser will hold a charge for a good while.

[outdoors4evr]

Extend your lifetime a bit and replace the microwave.
Those old microwaves really radiate a lot (leak). You should be wearing one of those dentist issued lead blankets while using that old beast!

[Mike in Louisiana]

Extend your lifetime a bit and replace the microwave.
Those old microwaves really radiate a lot (leak). You should be wearing one of those dentist issued lead blankets while using that old beast!

Bob might just have a dentist apron. He does have a few dental picks around the shop.

[Barnyard]

Since Bob is a retired dentist, I imagine he has quite a few dental tools laying around.

Bob, I'm glad you didn't really plan to fix it.

[ScottyD'sdad]

I have not dug into the new ones, but the ones I went to school on 35 years ago definitely would bite, even after being disconnected a while. You will be disappointed when you open it up, it consists of a timer on a chip, plus the push buttons and display, several safety switches, a high voltage power supply, a Magnetron tube inside a shielded cavity. And finally ducts to direct the energy from the Magnetron into the oven cavity. As I recall, there is a very minute amount of radioactive material in that Magnetron tube, I suggest not breaking it, though it is pretty sturdy.

John, there is no residual radiation in the tube. The radiation is electrically produced, and disappears, as soon as the power is turned off.
Ed (retired radiology technologist)