Re: Tesla Coil on TV Science Show.

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Tesla Coil on TV Science Show.
From: Ed Phillips <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 22:46:44 -0700
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> Original Poster: Esondrmn-at-aol-dot-com
> 
> In a message dated 11/30/98 2:07:25 PM Pacific Standard Time,
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> writes:
> 
> << >
>  >Where does one get a copper sphere???
>  >
>  >Xone102308-at-aol-dot-com
>  >
> 
>  try old toilets-- some have copper floats.
> 
>   >>
> Try stores like Home Depot, Eagle, etc. they have copper floats for water
> tanks that are seamless and have 1/4" treads into the bottom.  Farm supply
> stores also have these for feed tank systems for animals.
> 
> Ed Sonderman

	As posted here recently, McMaster Carr sells various metallic spheres,
at rather ridiculous prices.  One thing they sell at a more reasonable
price is polypropylene floats.  An 8" diameter one is around $15.00. 
That thing could be carefully wrapped with aluminum tape, carefully
burnished with a spoon, to make a pretty decent terminal.  I intend to
try this for the next van de Graaf generator I build, and its should
work even better with a TC, which can tolerate more surface roughness. 
Also, C&H Sales has an enormous stock of 12" globes (cheap world maps,
that is) for around $4.00 each.  Only problem is the plastic is pretty
thick and they are quite heavy.  Worth giving the same treatment.

Ed