metalresearcher - 5-10-2010 at 08:38
For some processes (e.g. @Rogerywemaw's phosphorus furnace) you need high temperatures as for my sodium making and metal melting.
If you use high temp, how hot do you meed and how do you heat it ?
Do you have a furnace , propane / charcoal / wood/ electric arc ?
psychokinetic - 5-10-2010 at 11:35
Depends where exactly you need the heat.
If the entire environment needs to be hot, then a furnace is where it's at.
12AX7 - 5-10-2010 at 21:02
Induction heater 
Magpie - 5-10-2010 at 21:15
Tim, can you provide a rough cost estimate for materials for a homemade 2000w induction heater. I'm just curious.
I've seen one of those in action at a university foundry and they are impressive. It was powered by 440V, 3-phase, IIRC.
12AX7 - 5-10-2010 at 21:16
Under $400, depending on where you find parts and how much is surplus (aka junk).
The 440V 3 phase ones go way up there. How would you like a 1600A circuit? 
Open a small steel mill with one that sized.
Tim
peach - 6-10-2010 at 10:17
Induction won't be suitable for what he's doing. Neither will arcs.
Fire from wood or propane will work but basically you're after a resistive heating element. Like Silicon Carbide or Moly D if you want to roast the
ass out of piece of quartz or stainless tube.
Nichrome, Kanthal and the other nickel / chrome wires are possibilities. And far cheaper to try out since you can pull the wire from a toaster.
Two many posts asking the same thing, note the splattering effect in the replies. 
[Edited on 6-10-2010 by peach]