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I was doing some research on building a good coal forge, when I came across an article on the induction forge/heater. Depending how much it would cost in electricity, a heater that efficient would be very useful for wrought iron work, and maybe blade smithing if the coil were big enough. According to most online articles it doesn't look like it would cost a whole lot or be difficult.

Depending how much it would cost in electricity

The unit @Canadium quotes would cost 2.5 kilowatts of power per hour of running at 100%. So if you dig out a power bill, see what you're paying per kilowatt and multiply that by 2.5 will give you the hourly cost to run the unit.

I watched a fellow use an induction heater thing and it was darn amazing. Took a one inch bar from cold to sparking hot in about 60 seconds. And he was holding onto to it with bare hands.
Found the video:

Yes those have to be one of the coolest tools that I've ever wished for (and will likely die wishing for). Shaping metal AND extreme heat two of my favorite things! Amazon has several high powered induction heaters available for around $100. They also have some lower powered heaters.
I don't know how much I should trust this unit, because of the
fewer reviews, but I think it would still be better than fabricating one myself.

Geez, a hundred bucks and you get all the bits to make one?... Hmmmm.....new project?

I'm VERY skeptical.

I think you should take a hit for the team, buy one, and see how it works before the rest of us risk wasting our money too...... I've been trying to convince my Boss to buy one for years. We harden a lot of O1 fixture gauge pins a year, and currently just use oxy/acetylene torch. An induction forge would be awesome for our process, and the ROI would be pretty quick.

I have one of the little w ones from banggood, and it will actually bring stuff up to 1/4" to a dull red. I haven't played with it much, but I'm sure with some different coil shapes I could find some good uses for it. I just bought it as a toy to play with. Would love to get one of those big ones at home eventually, but have a much longer list of stuff I want first. I've been tempted to buy one of the w ones but I'd rather just hold out for the big guy. I just ordered that induction heater along with a set of graphite crucibles. I should receive them on Thursday. It’s probably only $100 because it’s a kit of parts. I like that because it allows me to design a more custom machine; but, of course I’ll test the unit before I add to it. The only thing I’m not really sure how to install, is the water cooling system. Is that supposed to pump water from a small water reservoir through the hose over the coil, or is the hose first filled with cold water which circulates through the hose continuously?

I just ordered that induction heater along with a set of graphite crucibles. I should receive them on Thursday. It’s probably only $100 because it’s a kit of parts. I like that because it allows me to design a more custom machine; but, of course I’ll test the unit before I add to it. The only thing I’m not really sure how to install, is the water cooling system. Is that supposed to pump water from a small water reservoir through the hose over the coil, or is the hose first filled with cold water which circulates through the hose continuously?

Is it too much to ask for a build series? What do you mean? I have watched several videos on how to build an induction heater, I was about to order the parts from digikey; but none of the videos use a water cooling system for the coil, they only cool the mosfets with the fan. That's probably because they are only 1KW but this one is 2.5KW.

What do you mean? I have watched several videos on how to build an induction heater, I was about to order the parts from digikey; but none of the videos use a water cooling system for the coil, they only cool the mosfets with the fan. That's probably because they are only 1KW but this one is 2.5KW.

Only hoping that you document your build using that kit in case others are intimidated by it's kit nature.

I just ordered that induction heater along with a set of graphite crucibles. I

I curious in how the coil is applied to the crucible. Does anyone have a link to a video etc? Also, princess auto sells little crucibles now. Bought some on sale, haven't used them yet.