FBSSTC-NEED HELP

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

Original poster: Fucian-at-aol-dot-com 

Hey everyone...Im having some BAD trouble with a SIMPLE circuit...I really 
believe that GOD is keeping it from working for SOME reason...
Here goes the story:
I built the micro sstc by steve ward...Its the 4420 based circuit...I built 
and rebuilt it and then bought a new breadboard and made it look 
GREAT!Formed all my wires all nice and...Before i added the 12volt regultor 
to the board, i wanted to test the circuit...I used a 12 volt 
battery...Since i dont have an o-scope i used my DMM with its frequency and 
voltage...I tested for frequency out of the 4420(i have a 555 to start the 
coil)...I got 500khtz out and 12 volts out...I was happy...Did a lil 
dance...Nothing blew up or got warm...I then added a 12 volt regulator and 
TESTED it to make sure it was working...It worked and i wired it into the 
circuit...I tested it....AND TESTED IT!AND UGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.....no frequcny 
at all! My dmm DID say 60 htz...But it always seems to say that when i get 
close to a xmfr...I got 0 volts out of the 4420 so i moved down to the 555 
and got 12 volts out and no frequency( stupid 60 htz BS)...I was 
stupified...I yannked both ICs out and replaced them after testing each 
part...Everything was fine...This time i got nothing AT ALL out of either 
IC...These were brand new ICs from MAXIM(samples)...Again, nothing warm, no 
explotions...I then found anoyher 555 from Onsemi i had left over and put 
it in...Got 10khtz and then nothing...

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?TELL me its not GOD!SO i BEG you guys to help as i 
have spent so much time( all night till 6am) and LOTSA money buying 
stuff...I even got so happy and made a halfbridge..-dot-complete with IRFP460s 
and bought a new variac cuz i was so DANG excited...

Can i just BUY this from someone?I just need the driver! PLEASEEEEEEE!!!Im 
going mad!I JUST NEED THE DRIVER!!!!I will pay cash for it!PLEASE help me!I 
really need help as im going to can this thing and forget tesla coils and 
my electrical engineering degree and all...Ive done EVERYTHING ive been 
taught to do!WHAT is wrong!?If i cant get THIS to work, im no good as an 
engineer?I guess i should just switch majors to psychology and put myself 
in a mental home!LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!

PLEASE forgive my insanity..Its lait and i have a math test in the 
AM...geeze...Thanks to ANYONE who will help!

Matt