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RE: [TCML] Flat Spiral Primary
You can also make the supports quickly with a milling machine or (dare I suggest it?) an x-y table on a drill press, so long as you're not looking for a great deal of accuracy.
BTW - an old tube forming trick used by model steam enthusiasts and machinists is to fill the tube with water, wax or a low temperature solder. After bending, the tubing is placed in boiling water to remove the filler. The water can be frozen in place if making tight bends/etc. Remember that water contracts and liquefies under pressure, so the ice trick really does work. Probably not of much use for a primary coil because you wouldn't finish bending it before all the ice melted! Sand was also suggested, but I prefer salt. If you can blow the salt out, all you need to do is soak it in water for a short time and the salt will dissolve. Make sure you clean it well afterwards to prevent electrolytic corrosion if you have it in contact with dissimilar metals.
Tom Schmit
________________________________
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Sfxneon@xxxxxxx
Sent: Tue 3/23/2010 5:59 AM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [TCML] Flat Spiral Primary
Ken,
You could also use neon tube supports to hold the tubing in place. I used
12mm acrylic snap-in tube supports like these shown here:
_http://photos.imageevent.com/thepacratz/teslacoil/8inchcoil/websize/DSC0404
0.jpg_
(http://photos.imageevent.com/thepacratz/teslacoil/8inchcoil/websize/DSC04040.jpg)
This size fits 1/2" OD copper tubing very nicely, and can be mounted with a
screw or cemented to an acrylic base like I did. These are made by the EGL
company and are called "Clip-Its" and also come in 9mm, 10mm, and 15mm
sizes.
Also available are glass tube supports, 2" and 3 1/2" tall, with a metal
base that could be used, with or without the base. A tie-wire is used to
hold the tube(ing) in place, instead of snapping into place. Cheaper, but more
labor involved and not quite as nice looking. Tube supports also make
pretty good HV wiring standoffs to keep your primary wiring neat and tidy. Check
with a sign shop that installs neon, and see what kinds of tube supports
and silicone high voltage wire they have, or can order.
Tony Greer
Special Effects Neon
Lubbock, Texas
____________________________________________________________________
In a message dated 3/21/2010 5:17:37 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
kkociolek8577@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
Hello,
Been working on my TC for a few months now. I made primary supports for the
¼" copper tubing out of strips of 1" x ½" wood. Drilled 3/8" holes and
glued
the supports down to a wood base in a symmetrical manner. Now I have to
"thread" the tubing into this circular support. Is this going to be a
headache? Will the tubing get stuck after a few turns in? Was there a
better
way to do this? I appreciate to hear comments from anyone who has been down
this road before. Thanks.
Ken
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