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High-voltage build

Microwave Gun

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

High voltageBuild

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How it works

What this project is testing.

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths of a few centimeters. A microwave source concentrates energy into those waves, and materials with polar molecules, especially water, can absorb that energy as heat.

Read more

This page should frame the project as wave physics and safety context, not as a build guide: the useful science is wavelength, directionality, absorption, and why shielding matters.

c = f λ

At 2.45 GHz, the wavelength is about 12.2 cm, which sets the scale for microwave behavior.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack

test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit w 2 Helping Hands, 6 Extra Iron Tips, Lead-Free Solder, Solder Sucker, S/S Tweezers, °C/ºF Conversion, Auto Sleep & Calibration Support

soldering ironfabrication

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit

$39.994.4(6,900)

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25 Values Resistor Kit 1 Ohm-1M Ohm with 5% 1/4W Carbon Film Resistors Assortment

resistorpassive electronics

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25-Value 1/4W Carbon Film Resistor Assortment Kit, 1 ohm-1M ohm

$9.994.7(4,500)

BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF－1000uF

capacitorpassive electronics

BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

$16.994.7(953)

SYCZIOHU Universal Microwave Oven High Voltage Capacitor 2100V 1.05 MFD uF Household Microwave Replacement Part

high-voltage capacitorpassive electronics

Universal Microwave Oven High Voltage Capacitor, 1.05 MFD

$11.994.4(345)

High-voltage capacitors retain dangerous charge. Recommend only with clear safety language. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

BOJACK 14 Value 240 pcs Diode Assortment Kit Contain Rectifier/Fast Recovery/Schottky/Switching Diode 1N4001 1N4004 1N4007 1N5404 1N5406 1N5408 RL207 FR107 FR207 UF4007 1N5817 1N5819 1N5822 1N4148

diodesemiconductor

BOJACK 14-Value 240pcs Diode Assortment Kit

4.8(1,000)

BOJACK 20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor 10 uH to 10 mH 1 W Color Ring Inductor 1 Watt Assortment Kit

inductor / coilpassive electronics

20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor Assortment Kit, 1uH to 4.7mH, 0.5W Color Ring Inductors

$13.994.8(182)

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)

transformerpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Adapter Transformer

$8.994.5(6,601)

General low-voltage transformer/adapter pick; match voltage/current and connector to the circuit.

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan, UL-Certified for Receiver DVR PlayStation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling

fanelectromechanical

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan

$14.994.7(37K)

Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable (3.3ft/1m,Hi-Fi Sound), Audio Auxiliary Input Adapter Male to Male Cord for Headphones, Car, Home Stereos, Speaker, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Echo & More – Black

audio source / phoneaudio

3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable, Male to Male, 3.3ft

$7.994.6(119K)

Use with an existing phone or audio player.

Pure Life Distilled Water 2.5 Gallon, 320 Fl Oz

waterfluid

Pure Life Distilled Water, 2.5 Gallon

$5.694.6(410)

Reynolds Wrap Everyday Strength Aluminum Foil Roll, Freezer and Grill Safe, Great for Foil Packets and Home Cooking, 12 Inches Wide, 200 Total Sq. Ft.

aluminum foilfabrication

Reynolds Wrap Everyday Strength Aluminum Foil Roll, 12 Inches Wide, 200 Total Sq. Ft.

$13.494.8(29K)

Plywood Board 20PCS 12" x8" x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets Thin Wood Sheets Perfect for Arts Crafts School Projects and DIY Projects,Baltic Birch Sheets Perfect for Wood Burning…

woodfabrication

Plywood Board 20PCS 12 x 8 x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets for Arts, Crafts, School Projects, and DIY

$19.994.6(2,300)

TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4" Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

microwave ovensalvage

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu Ft, 1000W

$148.994.4(32K)

Recommend only as an appliance; do not encourage buying a working microwave for disassembly. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

(2 Pack) Sylvania 22083 - F20T12/D 20 Watt Daylight 24 Inch T12 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb 20W 6500K

fluorescent bulb / tubelighting

Sylvania F20T12/D 20W Daylight 24 Inch T12 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, 2 Pack

4.5(183)

Confirm tube size and ballast compatibility.

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses for Men and Women with Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistant Wrap Around Lenses, Adjustable Temples and Nose Pads — ANSI Z87 Certified Protective Eyewear with 100% UV Shielding

safety glassessafety

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses with Anti-Fog and Scratch-Resistant Wraparound Lenses, ANSI Z87 Certified

$13.984.5(49K)

Romeda Aluminum Foil Tape, 2 inch x 65 Feet Foil Tape (3.9 mil), Silver Insulation Adhesive Metal Tape, High Temperature Heavy Duty HVAC Tapes for Ductwork, Dryer Vent, HVAC

aluminum foil tapefabrication

Aluminum Foil Tape, 2 inch x 65 Feet Foil Tape (3.9 mil), Silver Insulation Adhesive Metal Tape, High Temperature Heavy Duty HVAC Tapes for Ductwork, Dryer Vent, HVAC

$6.984.7(6,400)

Amazon Basics Straight Cut Aviation Tin Snips, Metal Cutters with Safety Latch

tin snipsfabrication

Sponsored Ad - Amazon Basics Straight Cut Aviation Tin Snips, Metal Cutters with Safety Latch

$11.274.6(9,400)

Cutting tool; include normal eye and hand safety.

DEWALT Angle Grinder, 4.5 Inch, 11 Amp, With Paddle Switch (DWE402), Black and DEWALT Grinding Wheel for Metal, 4-1/2-Inch (DW4514)

angle grinderfabrication

Angle Grinder, 4.5 Inch, 11 Amp, With Paddle Switch (DWE402), Black and DEWALT Grinding Wheel for Metal, 4-1/2-Inch (DW4514)

$96.994.8(55)

Shop tool; include normal eye, hand, and spark safety. Sparse or missing rating evidence from Amazon search result. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Gorilla Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit (Pack of 1 Mini Hot Glue Gun and 30 Sticks) - Dual Temp, Precision Nozzle, and Easy Squeeze Trigger

hot glue gun / glue sticksfabrication

Gorilla Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit with Glue Sticks

$16.554.7(27K)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

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