RE: A novel top electrode

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: RE: A novel top electrode
From: "Ross Overstreet" <ross-o-at-mindspring-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 07:21:16 -0700
Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme
The tesla list is for the free exchange of information, not for trying to
make a profit (especially on ideas that have never been tested).  Toroids
made from corrugated PE pipe covered with aluminum duct tape work great for
coils of the size that you mention.  Dryer duct toroids also work well and
either can be built for under $20.

If anyone out there is tempted to order a few sheets of copyrighted paper
for $25 and then spend $125 on materials, please contact John Freau first to
see if he is still selling his BEAUTIFUL 4" x 13" toroids for $126 postpaid.
John must be doing this for fun b/c he sure isn't making much money after
you consider materials and labor..
Check out the excellent craftsmanship at
http://members.aol-dot-com/FutureT/

John also offers video tapes that show you exactly how to make toroids such
as the one pictured on his site.  If you get his video and use his
technique, you can build AS MANY coils as you wish for personal use or
whatever.

Keeping it free in Huntington Beach,
Ross Overstreet



-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla List [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 5:15 PM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: A novel top electrode


Original Poster: Kennan C Herrick <kcha1-at-juno-dot-com>

To all on the Tesla List:

It has occurred to me that a top electrode having the following qualities
might be valuable:

1.  A toroid with 13 3/4" mean diameter and (largest) cross-section
diameter of 5".

2.  Very uniform & smooth electrical-surface curvature all-around, so
sparks should tend less to stay -at- 1 or a few spots, as can happen with
home-made duct-material or aluminum-foil toroids.  Also, it will look a
whole lot nicer.

3.  Equipped for varying the effective electrical cross-sectional
diameter from 5" to perhaps half that, at will and uniformly &
simultaneously all-around.  This allows for tweaking the breakdown
potential for maximum spark, depending upon the available voltage.

4.  Basic materials, aluminum sheet-stock, paper-phenolic sheet-stock &
bronze spring-wire; buildable with moderate skills & simple tools.
Estimated material cost for 1 if all bought new, ~US$125.

As an exercise, I've C-A-D-designed one.  It has a lot of parts, but the
vast majority of those are very simple & identical pieces of spring wire;
the few other fabricated items are flat pieces.  I haven't built one yet
& may not get to it for a while.  If any of you would value this notion
enough to risk US$25 for my 6 sheets of 8 1/2" x 14" (copyrighted)
computer-drawn & detailed plans plus a page of notes, sent post-paid via
snail-mail with authorization to build 1 unit for personal use, send me a
check with your address.  As soon as I find it works OK (from feedback or
experience), the price could go up some.  If it doesn't work...sorrreee,
I tried; I keep the $, you keep the plans.  Perhaps they'll give you an
idea for one that does.  However...feedback to the Tesla List could well
put it right, in time.  And if someone finds it awful, they should feel
free to flame me right here on the List as soon as possible.

I will accept a certified check or a bank draft, in US$, made out to K.
C. Herrick.  Address:  2160 Mastlands Drive, Oakland, CA 94611 USA

Ken Herrick
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