Re: [TCML] Why is it important to dry the PVC pipe?

["Henry Hallam" <hallam@xxxxxxx>]

Supposedly, moisture in the pipe makes it more likely to suffer
flashover.  In practice, I've never dried mine and never had problems.
Without a lathe, get a friend to hold a stick that the reel of magnet
wire can slide on, and have her apply a little tension while you turn
the coilform by hand and guide the wire with a fingernail.  A 4x26"
coil takes several episodes of House or a couple of feature-length
movies.  It is much quicker to do it with two people than alone.  It
will take you about two inches to get the hang of it, after which you
can start again if you want a nice-looking coil.

I don't have advice for building a winding jig, except that it's a
very good idea and a timesaver.

Henry


On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM, David Ellstein
<david.b.ellstein@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am trying to build my own secondary coils for a Tesla Coil.  I am using
> PVC pipe.  I have seen on multiple websites the suggestion or even
> requirement to dry the PVC pipe before applying your first varnish coat.
> Why is it important to dry the pipe when the wire coiled on it is
> insulated?  Does the pipe heat up during the use of it as a tesla coil and
> so the water expands and contracts causing holes in the varnish?  Also, how
> do you recommend to clean the PVC pipe before applying varnish?  Lastly, do
> you have any suggestions on how to wind the coil without a lathe?  Or how to
> build a simple lathe maybe even using a power drill?
>
> I hope to hear from you,
> David
> _______________________________________________
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>
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