There are lots of uses for MOTs (microwave Oven Transformers).  The guys from Make it Extreme have come up with a great new use. Convert them to a Heavy Lift Magnet. They take a number of transformers, chop the top off the laminated core and weld them to a heavy base plate. They are then wired to a common power source and the surface of the transformer that will touch the metal being lifted is machined flat. The only limitation that I can see is that not all of the transformer sections might be touching the metal object being lifted. The lifting capacity for some free MOTs is quite impressive!
Thanks for the tip Curt