Induction heating looms large in manufacturing industries and in domestic cookers. What’s it about, and can it help in the farm workshop?

Oxy-fuel gases have warmed up steel on farms since Adam were a lad. With good reason: if the equipment is properly maintained and if the operator follows well-defined procedures, oxy-acetylene in particular is a safe and effective way to heat a wide range of material thicknesses. And you can cut and weld with it. But while the equipment itself is relatively cheap, cylinder rental and gas isn’t. Moreover, the two safety-related ‘ifs’ above generate enough concern that, in these risk-averse days, some companies have banished gas from their workshops.