removing shunts from 4kv/20ma france 4020 NST

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

Original poster: "Laurence Davis by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <meknar-at-hotmail-dot-com>


the tesla coil showdown rules state that the xfmr has to have a minimum
of 5 shunts top and bottom. where are these shunts and how do i remove them.

I've never unpotted an NST or have seen an open core before today.
It was my impression that "magnetic shunts" were actually inductors
wrapped around a magnet, which seemed odd to me.

What I see in the core are about 17 plates top and bottom that are 
connecting the legs of the E part of the EI core.  They appear to be of a 
different composition than the core steel.  Perhaps just plain steel without 
silicon that bleeds off eddy currents from the core?  How do I get them out? 
  A swift whack from a hammer and screwdriver?

any tips?
larry