Three Idiots A Microwave And A Airbag

[Zero999]

Sintered Berilium is quite safe if handled intelligently but smashing or buring it is not to be recommended 

So using it in a domestic microwave, which can catch fire, would be a stupid idea.

[Sal Ammoniac]

I disagree with those of you who are calling these guys idiots. Rather than condemn this kind of thing, we should encourage it. Experiments like this can be done safely if reasonable precautions are taken, and a lot can be learned as a result.

I don't know about you younger guys, but when I was a kid, we all had chemistry sets, experimented with home-made fireworks, high voltage electricity, and other things that today's parents would have a stroke if they knew their kids did that kind of thing. None of us died doing this stuff, but we certainly learned a lot that you just can't get by reading books and listening to stories from old-timers.

It was this kind of backyard experimentation that led many of us into technical careers that we wouldn't have considered otherwise. Our present society, which shuns perceived "danger" in any form, is stifling this sense of adventure and the result will be fewer people going into technical fields, and the ones that do will be mostly the 9-5 "it's just a job" type.

There was an interesting op-ed piece along these lines recently in QST (American ham radio magazine): http://dissonance.nl/dz/kl7aj-oped.txt

[NiHaoMike]

When I first saw that show, one of the first things that came to mind is if microwaves could be used to ignite fuel in an engine. Especially if it would be able to ignite ultra-lean mixtures that a spark would not reliably ignite. (It would need pulsed power to work in such a short timeframe.) It reminds me of a joke one of my friends made up. ( http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/lounge/7181-more-engineering-humor-57.html#post2269166 )

[Simon]

I disagree with those of you who are calling these guys idiots. Rather than condemn this kind of thing, we should encourage it. Experiments like this can be done safely if reasonable precautions are taken, and a lot can be learned as a result.

I don't know about you younger guys, but when I was a kid, we all had chemistry sets, experimented with home-made fireworks, high voltage electricity, and other things that today's parents would have a stroke if they knew their kids did that kind of thing. None of us died doing this stuff, but we certainly learned a lot that you just can't get by reading books and listening to stories from old-timers.

It was this kind of backyard experimentation that led many of us into technical careers that we wouldn't have considered otherwise. Our present society, which shuns perceived "danger" in any form, is stifling this sense of adventure and the result will be fewer people going into technical fields, and the ones that do will be mostly the 9-5 "it's just a job" type.

There was an interesting op-ed piece along these lines recently in QST (American ham radio magazine): http://dissonance.nl/dz/kl7aj-oped.txt

yes but these guys are clearly clueless, their "experiments" serve no purpose and their lack of knowledge is frightning. I happily played with the mains as a teenager. something many pareant won't like, my dad was confident I was capable. I even made the odd main project like a flashing neon model fire for a model nativity scene run off the mans all at 240V

[sacherjj]

My first thought was "I wonder how they rigged up a remote start for the microwave", because I gave the air bag 5 seconds before it would blow.  Looks like I was about right. 

Bare minimum, remote start and remote AC power feed for the microwave.  So I can be in a "safe" location when I start it and pull power on the device immediately after the event.

But then again, I'm not a complete moron.

[Simon]

My first thought was "I wonder how they rigged up a remote start for the microwave", because I gave the air bag 5 seconds before it would blow.  Looks like I was about right. 

Bare minimum, remote start and remote AC power feed for the microwave.  So I can be in a "safe" location when I start it and pull power on the device immediately after the event.

But then again, I'm not a complete moron.

My thoughts exactly. There is playing dangerous with knowledge and precautions and there is near suicide. Like i said I wish them a fast painless death that involves no one else

[Zero999]

I disagree with those of you who are calling these guys idiots. Rather than condemn this kind of thing, we should encourage it. Experiments like this can be done safely if reasonable precautions are taken, and a lot can be learned as a result.

I've no problem with people performing excrements with microwaves and explosives, if they know what they're doing but the idiots don't even know what a transformer or magnetron are so obviously don't have the knowledge to do so safely.

[Sal Ammoniac]

I disagree with those of you who are calling these guys idiots. Rather than condemn this kind of thing, we should encourage it. Experiments like this can be done safely if reasonable precautions are taken, and a lot can be learned as a result.

I've no problem with people performing excrements with microwaves and explosives, if they know what they're doing but the idiots don't even know what a transformer or magnetron are so obviously don't have the knowledge to do so safely.

Maybe the results of their experiments will prompt them to go find out more about the parts they found in their destroyed microwaves and lead to a career in electronics.

BTW, I assume you meant "experiments with microwaves", not "excrements with microwaves"?

[Simon]

well excrements is what they get out of it. No these guys are far beyonds going back to basics. They obviously can't be asked with basic theory and knowledge and think it is cool to destroy stuff spectacularly on camera

[Zero999]

Lol, just goes to show a spell checker doesn't cure typing too fast.

Yes I meant experiments of course but you're right excrements is a far more appropriate term for them. 

[Simon]

yes for the people and the results of their "experiments"

[Sionyn]

well if there was any doubt