RE: [TCML] Strike Rail Hits Was: Stacking vs Large Diameter

["Jim Mora" <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bart,

You may find it hard to find a left hand nylon or fiberglass screw! One side
of the turn buckle is a left thread. Maybe someone makes a nylon turn
buckle.

Regards,
Jim Mora

-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of bartb
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 5:26 PM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Strike Rail Hits Was: Stacking vs Large Diameter

Mike H wrote:
> That's good to hear then, as after seeing the links to that ribbon
> stuff for sale, I'm looking to purchase that as well for my rebuild of
> my coil.  I just keep putting it off, but hope to do something before
> hallowen.
>
> You mentioned something about fiberglass between the spiral surfaces.
> Is that so you can pack it tight, rather than use something like other
> items in this thread (spacing it with a support).  I have thought
> about the packing tight, but had concerns over how to tune when too
> tight.

Hi Mike,

Kimble, who I bought the ribbon was excellent to deal with. The ribbon 
arrived in a USPS Priority Mail (like 2 or 3 days). Kimble packaged the 
ribbon very well and it came without any damage. Very nice! I wrote him 
a thank you note the day I received it. Great person to deal with.

I planed on 1/4" spacing. The tighter you can wind the ribbon, the more 
L per length you can get. Given the number of turns I'll need, turn to 
turn voltage should fine at that distance. However, if I was in a 
situation where I was only using 5 turns or so, I would have increased 
spacing to accommodate, but I have a need for 13 turns which is why I'm 
building a 14 turn primary. That is where I am coming from. I need 
almost the whole 50 feet of ribbon. Some people have used rubber, or 
window seal type foam between their ribbons to wind the coil. This does 
work, but it's not so easy to apply (at least the foam type). I tried 
this on a few turns but decided I didn't like it. I removed the foam and 
decided to just go with a simple standoff method. A hacksaw blade 
thickness cut into acrylic I tried just for a check on the width with 
the ribbon. The ribbon had to be forced in as the fit was tight, but it 
went did go in ok. So after that, I decided to simply build standoffs 
(I'll likely use GTO-3 at 3/8" thick). Still need to order it however. 
I'll just use a band saw and jig to cut the slots to depth. I plan on 
1/2" slots (top and bottom) to cover the full 1" ribbon width. I'll tap 
the bottom standoff and drill through the top standoff at the ends and 
use a nylon screw to attach both standoffs. I'll then tap the bottom 
standoff to accept a 1/4-20 screw. I'm thinking of using a simple 
turnbuckle method to adjust the primary up and down for easy coupling 
adjustment. Again, nylon screws with a small metal turn buckle between 
screws.

Anyway, that's what I'm planning on at this point. But coils are like a 
river. You never know what kind of rapids might be around the next corner.

Take care,
Bart
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