Homemade 1100 C Tube Furnace

I build a tube furnace capable of reaching 1100 C (2000 F) for $30 using parts from the internet and the hardware store. My design was heavily inspired by garage chemist and the following thread on SM:
www.sciencemadn...

[@allthingsdestructive]

I have built this. Just a few things I wish I knew before I started: 1. If you order your alumina tube/insulation from eBay, it will take several weeks to get to the states 2. You need to find a PID ramp/soak (not a thermostat) controller if you want to program the furnace and use it for any kind of scientific experiment/process. You will need a K-type thermocouple and a solid state DC powered AC NO relay. 3. The nichrome wire is incredibly difficult to work with when wrapping around the tube. I had to tape down the wire every couple inches of tube that I covered in order to keep it from becoming an annoying slinky. 4. You do not need the entire roll of nichrome wire, only about a fourth of it. 4. I ended up just putting on gloves and using my hands to cover the nichrome with DAP furnace sealant. Much faster. 5. Do NOT cover the tape holding down the wire with sealant, it is very difficult to remove once it dries. 6. Use Telfon insulation for connecting wires, everything else will burn. 7. Two blankets of Alumina is best to ensure the outside doesn't become too hot. 8. AC power is fine for Nichrome, you do not need a DC power source.

[@Paste-Bean]

Absolutely awesome, this saved me a huge amount of money on making DIY semiconductors, and microchips, thanks for the video!

[@ClagwellsGarage]

Excellent video and many thanks for posting. I just replicated your design which easily hit 1100 Celsius. However, it’s important to note the operating range of the Master Supply nichrome wire has a ceiling of 1180 Celsius. Flirting with temps of 1100 Celsius or above will absolutely result in failure. That aside, it’s a true performer at 1000 Celsius. As everyone has noted, winding the element is the most difficult part. I’ve also found the second coat of mortar isn’t necessary unless the first coat was extremely thin. In retrospect, an easier and equally performing tube furnace design would incorporate two 9x4.5 firebricks as the chamber. A cored out axis along the length of 1” would suffice. Standard coil type elements could be fit within the radius.

[@theshannonlimit1114]

just a tip for anyone building this, on the heating elements, twist the nichrome wire back on itself for double thickness before twisting on the copper. this makes a low resistance lead to keep the copper cool

[@robertocoelhoandriotti6742]

Nice Work Tom, I'm a Researcher and I worked with a Drop Tube Furnance like yours but with leght of 1,6 meters

[@chemistryscuriosities]

Very well done!

[@piranha031091]

Those furnaces are really expensive if you buy them already built. Congrats on making your own! (where'd you get the ceramic tube from?)

[@TomsLab]

I know, cheap used ones cost at least $100, but comparable furnaces cost at least $300. My tube is from here: www.ebay.com/itm/Alumina-Ceramic-Tube-200-25-20mm-1pc-1650-Metal-Copper-Vapor-Laser-Customize/301478522651?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@MorganBW53]

Nice job sir.

[@fp1030]

thank you a lot

[@brokentoedspoon]

Brilliant!

[@everythingexplained3226]

well palyed, here's one for the algo

[@Tachikomaster]

Nice job!

[@0x2a1A4]

very nice build Tom!! i was wondering though for how long this would work with the current insulation, and morter that was put on the wire, as the wire itself gets somewhat hotter then the rated insulation and morter used. im planning a build like this my self, but with a 200mm bin and a 50mm OD 40ID tube. needs to have a max temp of 1200c and im thinking of using 700 watt max for the design.. did you notice any problems with the insulation not being able to handle the heat.?

[@BL-wh2ux]

So, for organic reactions requiring a tube furnace that also involve concentrated acids, with this design, wouldn't you still have to find & fit a glass/quartz tube with ground glass joints to fill w/catalyst or are people expected to use the ceramic tube for contact with everything? How would one couple this furnace with 24/40 glassware?

[@TomsLab]

That's how I always use it, I have some quartz tubes the fit inside and I seal the ends with lots of PTFE tape. I would love some 14/20 jointed quartz for this, but I couldn't justify the expense. I mostly use 24/40 glassware and I use adapters to match the size of my tube.

[@Nat-js7nr]

You should make a follow up video detailing how to make something like this for ourselves.

[@Piperliam]

But in the video he clearly explains how he made the furnace. I’d just rewatch the video and take notes on the supplies and what he does if you want to make this yourself.

[@en2oh]

great project! What sort of temperature loss was there through the aluminum tube?

[@anyahan4935]

Good job

[@TheChemicalWorkshop]

Cool shit, we have 3x230v outlet (a big boy power socket) so we may run like 10-20kW of power (on 1 socket) But we always have to skip these projects due to cost (we need a bigger version, about 500-2000W)

[@TomsLab]

With this small size it was relatively cheap, cost me about $30. For bigger it will cost more, I imagine a big (500 mm long, 40 mm diameter) one would probably cost $200. Mine is 500 watts maximum but I don't need anywhere near that power. Less than 100 watts will maintain it at 1100 degrees. I have seen some of the bigger ones take 2000 watts and beyond.

[@AllChemystery]

Mischa What? They are pretty common in many labs. It’s called A tube or muffle furnace. Generally though they use a quartz glass tube and they are very useful. He’s just opened the door to many more exciting reactions which were otherwise limited by temperature. White phosphorus and carbon disulphide comes to mind.

[@AllChemystery]

Nice video. Saw your SM post. Great job!

[@TomsLab]

Mischa What? There were some shortages right after winding but I fixed most of them while applying the mortar. The wire is Nichrome A and melts at 1400 C, so I would probably say 1300 C is the max temperature.

[@intothecalm420]

Nice build! The power supply was 110v? Standard America outlet?

[@intothecalm420]

Cool channel btw

[@TomsLab]

Thanks! The supply is for standard power in the US. 110-120v

[@sheebasonali341]

Can you please tell me which AC voltage controller did you use?

[@girar813]

Can i do this by using ordinary coiled stove wire?

[@rubysante4005]

great, I am a furnace manufacturer from China.

[@mxhst.6668]

GREAT! I have an idea, and may need your help!!!

[@mxhst.6668]

I need a material that is resistant to high temperature from 500°F to 1300°F, to create molds, for melted stone of all sorts. I want to build a modern day monolith in the same fassion ancients used to, I want to prove we can build something great with such presicion like an Ancient Egyptian Pyramid!!!!!

[@mxhst.6668]

I will also need a very very large furnace to toss alot of rocks that burns from 500°F to 1200°F to melt the rocks so we can pour them onto the molds, and lay down the newly melted stones into place 1 by 1!!!!

[@chemistryscuriosities]

That would be perfect for making calcium oxide from carbonate.

[@piranha031091]

I've actually done it in a similar furnace (to make some calcium-cerium oxide). And yeah, it works!

[@TomsLab]

It's a little small but yeah! I would like to build a larger furnace that could fit around a 100 mL crucible. Something along the lines of the one that Doug's Lab made but a little smaller.

[@lelearmi6186]

ppprrrr pernacchia

[@SodiumInteresting]

Put an extractor fan on the end 🙃

[@chempi1981]

Congratulations, did you use a fuse for it? Where can I put a fuse for protection?

[@TomsLab]

I believe that there is a fuse in the power supply I use. A fuse could go anywhere along the wires that hook up to the heating element. I wasn't super concerned with a fuse because a serious short between windings would end up melting the nichrome, acting as its own fuse.

[@tristan795]

Can i use an quartz tube for this?

[@5urg3x]

Vaping wire, haha. Let’s make some phenylacetone 👍

[@MrBatjay]

Good job what are you planng to do with it

[@TomsLab]

Calcium oxide, 3-pentanone from propanoic acid, and ethylene from ethanol to name a few reactions.

[@khanyisonqwili8131]

@@TomsLab Does it also function as a calcination reactor for catalysts?

[@3er24t4g1]

You should make super heated steam and run it over iron, or see what it does to insects that are put in it

[@mxhst.6668]

I'm gonna need to build one of these but at a much much larger scale, and make some high temp resistance molds to PROOF!! ancient monoliths and Egyptian pyramids arent so great and we have the technology to build structures az such in today's times without the assistance of ALIENS (FALLEN ANGELS OR DEMONS)!!!!!!

[@techmelts7860]

What frequency is your transformer? And what voltage? Please lmk

[@moofilms4746]

Hey, if you're at all interested, my mom's an Organic Chemistry professor (so I know too much about chemistry haha) and if you ever wanted to talk, that'd be cool!

[@nonamemike7149]

Dude if your offer still stands about help with organic chemistry (NOT SCHOOL WORK) I WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. To be vague there were some insecticides back in the day which worked perfectly on termites. One was most likely poured on the foundation just before the slab of your house was poured. The other one was famous for killing fireants Our slab cracked a bit and subterranean termites have done some work unbeknownst to us. I've been combing over so much material I'm burned out. Will you help me?