Re: Distilled water as a dielectric?

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts" <m.j.watts@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Mark, all,

On 5 Jun 2005, at 22:50, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Mark Broker" <mbroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> On Sat, 04 Jun 2005 20:00:38 -0600, Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> >Original poster: Davetracer@xxxxxxx
> >
> >      For other readers: Yes, I know this is not an optimal solution.
> >      But
> >the amount of money I can put into the TC right now is low, and this
> >solution just plain works.... What I'm trying to say is that this
> >*works* and you don't always have to spend the big bucks to get a
> >perfectly satisfying Tesla Coil.
> >
> >      Dave Small
>
> Dave, I think you nailed it here.  There are far too many "cookie
> cutter" solutions out there, even in this hobby....
>
> "A good idea is the enemy of a better one, as you stop looking for
> alternatives." ? Tudor Rickards

I like the "cookie-cutter" description of a particular approach to
hobbies. In my opinion it is all wrong. Little is learned by
following a recipe and having it work perfectly first time except
that you could repeat that recipe with some confidence. The real
learning occurs when things don't work as expected and one is forced
to think above all else. If your goal is simply to impress the
neighbours, go for the recipe. If your goal is apply scientific
method and learn from using it, don't ask endless trivial questions
of others - suck it and see. Jimmy Hynes diary of his SS coil
development is a wonderful documented example of how to do it.
     In order to think outside the box you first need to discover the
boundaries. Those who don't either end up repeating history or
"inventing" impossibilities (like a design student in this country
who once proudly had his photograph presented in a newspaper together
with a column lauding his "invention" of some kind of stove which
could ".. cook a hearty meal or boil a cup of tea off an electric
fence.."). Ouch!!

Malcolm