Best way to heat a metal ring to 300-600°F in a box for a DIY project

The discussion focuses on designing a DIY heating unit capable of raising a hollow metal ring's temperature to between 300°F and 600°F within a recessed base. Induction heating via radio frequency (RF) or direct AC mains-driven coils are proposed methods. Induction heating uses an RF transmitter and coil to generate eddy currents in the metal ring, causing it to heat efficiently; typical power requirements for small rings are estimated between 20-50W. Alternatively, a coil powered directly from AC mains (110V or 240V) can induce current in the ring, treating it as a single-turn secondary winding of a transformer, with primary coil turns adjusted to achieve low secondary voltage. Safety precautions include using RCD devices, fuses, proper insulation, and securing the ring against magnetic forces. Temperature control can be implemented using a bimetallic switch to cut power at the target temperature. The ring is a hollow cylinder approximately half an inch in diameter, designed to click into the base unit. Considerations include selecting metals with suitable thermal properties for rapid heating and heat retention. The project draws parallels to heating elements in electric kettles and metalsmithing techniques such as torch heating and silver soldering, though the latter may risk damaging components like stones. Epoxy adhesives are suggested as an alternative for non-structural joins.
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