RE: Lexan (polycarbonate)

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Vanderputten, Gary by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <gvp-at-pvaintl-dot-com>

Greg Peters

All my secondaries and helical primaries are made from lexan. Easy to work
with and good insulating properties, All my end-caps are likewise, I even
have entire units where all non-electronic parts are made entirely out of
lexan and similar products. Mind you, the stuff is a bit tricky to work with
(band saws do not work well) and drilling requires correct bits or patience
with regular bits. I even use two sizes of levan pipe to enclose my RQ gaps
- as long as they are cooled with fans.

Note that my coils are 1000 w and under. 

Cons -- And yes, the stuff will burn when exposed to direct sparks and will
melt under heat. And it is brittle.  And depending upon where you live, it
is expensive (not so here). I recommend a proper table saw blade and a
polishing wheel with the proper compound for those who wish to go this
route,

But it looks fabulous!

I have not had a problem.

Gary


 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com] 
Sent:	Monday, July 01, 2002 2:37 PM
To:	tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject:	Lexan (polycarbonate)

Original poster: "Mr Gregory Peters by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <s371034-at-student.uq.edu.au>

Hello all,

I went to get some acrylic sheet from the plastic shop to cap my
secondary. The cutters had gone home for the day, so I would have had to
buy a whole sheet. They guy instead gave me a 6mm lexan (polycarbonate)
scrap sheet for next to nothing. I thought this was a great deal, as
lexan is apparently easier to work with and alot tougher, and I have
enough to make another RSG rotor if I want. However I have read
somewhere that lexan is prone to catching fire relatively easily. Is
this true? Can anyone see a reason NOT to use it to cap my secondary? 

Cheers,

Greg Peters
Department of Earth Sciences,
University of Queensland, Australia
Phone: 0402 841 677
http://www.geocities-dot-com/gregjpeters