Re: Who will keep the torch moving?

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Teslacoil Workshop" <workshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

All,

Who will keep the torch moving?

"Ask not what the torch can do for you but what can you do for the torch..."
apologies to John F. Kennedy

I agree with Dave about the "process" of secondary coils. It is very time
consuming and for that reason it's best for the hobbyist to make them him or
herself. I don't know what Dave was charging for the 12x50 described below
but it was probably not enough to be "sustainable". I just looked up the
price for a spare SG10-TC secondary coil (14.5x60) and it is just over
$7,000. Only a theme park, nightclub or museum can support that effort.

Don't laugh! That is the fair price I must charge to produce quality lasting
equipment and remain in business and yes, I sell a lot of large (10kW+)
coils (and spares kits too). Hobbyists groups just don't have the funds
(collectively) to support a business that makes parts for them (whatever
hobby you pick... TC is just an example).

For a current example, I have a ton of PVC air duct that I tried to scrap
two weeks ago on this forum for $100. Not a single taker! I get 10 footers
at the supply house for $300 each delivered. I have four or more 14.5" five
footers plus a bunch of 6" to 8" pipes all over five feet long. Do the math.
I can't even SCRAP PVC on this list for pennies on the dollar! How is
ANYBODY going to sustain a business on this list? (BTW, we're keeping the
PVC to make columns - too much $$$ to give away for $100 - what was I
thinkin'?).

Roll up the sleeves and DYI. You'd be amazed at the things you can
accomplish on your own. Each time you dig in and DYI, you get better and
better. Learn new skills: buy some Formica, contact cement and a roller and
learn to laminate wood. OR take two "workmate" type sawhorses, two pillow
blocks and make your own winding jig. Buy or rent a router and circle jig
and cut circles out of wood. I made coils as a hobbyist for years with only
a Craftsman 10" drill press and hand tools.

Jeff





----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: Who will keep the torch moving?


> Original poster: "D&M's High Voltage, Inc." <DMsHV.DavMcKin@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> To all,
>
> The main thing about winding the coils is putting on the
> urethane.  The smaller coils require 3 - 5 coats and the larger coils
> (especially when using larger diameter wire) require 8+ coats.  It
> takes overnight to cure each coat and then a couple more days to
> fully let them set in before shipping.  It was these many coats of
> urethane that made the outside surface smooth to where you couldn't
> feel the wire.  Never could get the 2 part epoxies to create a nice
> smooth surface.
>
> As for cost - labor was the largest portion - it takes several hours
> to put a fully assembled secondary together (including the urethaning
> process, painting the form, assembling the mounting hardware, center
> disks, endcaps, crating, etc. - actual winding time was a small % of
> the total time on the order of 10-15 minutes for the 12 x 50 coils).
>
> As for shipping, the complete 12 x 50 coils (with endcaps, mounting
> hardware, and 5 center disks) ran around 125 Lbs. fully crated
> (approx. crate dimensions - 18"H x 18"W x 65"L there were then 3"
> pads for forklifts underneath).
>
> Hopefully this will be of help to those who start producing these on
> at least somewhat commercial level.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> David L. McKinnon
> D&M's High Voltage, Inc.