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Re: [TCML] comment about new coilers
If I may, I'd like to give everyone the flip-side of that coin. In my own
defense, I just started playing around with "a little" high voltage. In my
youth I was a mechanic, and I always wanted to make a continuous arc with an
ignition coil. I just couldn't find a substitute for the "points" and
distributor. I never came up with anything, so it kind of went to the
wayside. Fast forward a couple/few decades, and while on the 'net I start
exploring stuff and discovered something about getting sparks from an
ignition coil, and the rest, sort of, is history. Except for the fact about
me discovering the "joy and convenience" of the power of "plastic" and ebay.
I have got a half a basement full of high voltage "stuff"; vacuum tubes, big
ham radio caps, doorknob caps, laser tube, laser power supply, big coils,
little coils, ad nauseum. The tubes? Not any good ones for our purposes.
Probably tv vac tubes from a 1960 zenith.
POINT BEING :)
I wasted a lot of time and money because I don't really recall knowing about
tesla coils in my "younger" days. I just knew that I wanted to make big
sparks. So, by the time I discovered plans on the internet, as well as
people like all of you on the tcml, I accumulated a lot of stuff. Now,
however, with a little bit of knowledge of the principles behind them, I'm
attempting to put some of that "stuff" to good use. Yeah, I know, there are
those who would say
"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring"
Alexander Pope
But, at what point, do we consider something dangerous to "play" with? I,
personally, don't think firearms are dangerous. There are certain people,
however, who ARE dangerous and should not be in possession of firearms. Or
cars. Or knives, or chemicals of ANY kind. Or nst transformers. Anyway,
assuming that someone is of age and are able to care for themselves, they
should be allowed to "play" with potentially dangerous stuff. And, if they
are going to do so and ask for help, we should be willing to share what
knowledge we can. Let me emphasize, if they "ask for help". Ask, and you'll
get the knowledge, don't ask and understand that the tuition for that
knowledge is going to get more expensive, and possibly more dangerous. Thank
you all for attending The Packratter's High Voltage Philosophy 101. :)
Neal.
----- Original Message -----
From: "bartb" <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] comment about new coilers
Listen guys, if a coiler has an issue it will usually unfold "after" the
purchase when the coil isn't working. We will all attempt to derive the
reason. I personally don't want new coilers to purchase junk TC items
(ever). I would rather they ask before they buy, but this is a step
completely in the hands of the coiler. As soon as they ask, they will get
the info needed.
I personally have not made purchase mistakes in my coiling and the reason
why is because I consulted the TCML first. I've been coiling for a while
now, but I still am green on many things. Should I purchase something
(even after several years of coiling) which I feel I don't have a good
handle on, I will consult the TCML first. Experience or time with coiling
is certainly valuable, but none of us knows everything. This is just one
major reason why the TCML is so valuable.
Take care,
Bart
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