I'm trying to build a resonant tuned polywell device. The tldr is polywell + tesla coil power source + microwave oven = fusion? I have no idea if it will work but is something I wanted to try.
The original polywell is a steady state device, where this is meant to create a dynamic system in tune with the power source.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polywell
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BPtWiGxd3c/Vj7ecWEoXuI/AAAAAAAAGc...
I hope you thought about all the consequences this may have. See Primer.[1]
I have no idea if it will work, but is an interesting project and something attainable in the garage. If nothing else hopefully it will at least be a fancy plasma ball lamp.
More on focus fusion:
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/184280-focus-fusion-has-c...
A Geiger counter is a good idea, though. Many people don't know until they work with it that high voltages (above 30 kV or so) will cause a fair amount of X-rays from stray electrons being accelerated. So, even when you aren't actually doing fusion, just having a device turned on will cause some X-rays, and its helpful to know that your dose rate is low enough to be safe. There are some failure modes that can cause large amounts of X-rays and you'd want to be aware if that was going on.
Borax is cheap and helpful for shielding if you start getting more neutrons than is comfortable. Neutrons are a serious radiation hazard but most fusors would be happy to get into the dangerous range.