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Re: [TCML] Lacquer



Rob,

Well, it took me a lot of practice to get results like that (and believe it
or not, I'm still not entirely satisfied with it).  I use a plastic spreader
to apply the epoxy.  On the first few coils I did I tried using a foam brush
(that's a BAD idea).  I have a DC gear motor to spin the form.  I have that
hooked to a variable DC supply and I can adjust the speed down to about four
RPM.  It's important to apply the epoxy at a slightly higher speed than you
let it cure at.  This ensures minimal dripping.  After you ensure that the
epoxy is spread evenly over the form you can slow the speed down.  I use a
heat gun to remove small bubbles from the finish.  You have to experiment
with this, because if you heat up one spot too much it will bubble, or it
will become so runny that it drips off the form.  One more important note:
you should do this in a low or preferably no traffic room.  Be careful not
to move too quickly and stir up dust.  If dust lands on the form during the
initial phase of curing it will make a dimple in the finish.

-Phillip Slawinski

On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 10:43, Rob Byron <mustang_5l87@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Phillip,
> How do you get your epoxy so crystal clear? I use a two-part epoxy ( not
> cheap stuff) and it allways ends up foggy looking because of microsopic
> bubbles. I use a 24h cure and have it set up on a rotating assembly with a
> microwave turntable motor. Is it how you mix it that matters? Or how you
> apply it?  Your coils look amazing by the way!
>
> Rob.
>
> ________________________
>
> On 2010-04-08 09:33:32 -0600 Phillip Slawinski <pslawinski@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I too use the two-part epoxy coating on all my coils.  I built a coil
> from
> > the ground up to produce a long spark length compared to the secondary
> > length.  It has taken a lot of work, but I think the results were worth
> it.
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/pslawinski/4354745760/  During the process
> of
> > developing this coil I have had multiple flash overs.
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/pslawinski/4309814799/  I haven't lost a
> > secondary to a flash over or spark related event.  My secondary is wound
> > with 34 AWG on a 12" x 3.5" form.  Not coating a form with such fine wire
> is
> > simply not an option.  The wire is very fragile, and will break with only
> a
> > mild amount of force, also with wire this fine expansion and contraction
> of
> > the form due to temperature change will cause the windings to loosen up
> and
> > fall down.  Sadly, I know this from experience.
> >
> > -Phillip Slawinski
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 08:22, Peter Terren <pterren@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> Firstly, the experiment with the conventional coil is not conclusive,
> >> sorry.  Power was "about 20%" in the pre shot with racing sparks. No
> >> mention
> >> of actual values for the post shot and the sparks look very different on
> >> the
> >> pics.
> >> I am not saying the result is wrong, but it is highly likely the
> original
> >> power level was not reproduced.
> >>
> >> Secondly, DRSSTC's are different beasts in terms of coupling.  Obtaining
> >> better Watt's ratios (spark length/sec length) seems a lot easier. 13:4
> =
> >> 3.25 does not seem remarkably efficient in this regard.
> >> On the other hand using an SGTC coil with no special insulation, I have
> >> Watt's ratios of 3.0 (96inches/32in).  Others have claimed larger ratios
> >> for
> >> SGTC's but I have not seen clear photos to show this.  If you want to
> >> follow
> >> this link copy and paste it into your browser.
> >> http://tesladownunder.com/tesla_coil_sparks.htm#6 inch coil (the best
> >> ones)
> >>
> >> Nevertheless, the previous discussion of using ?Envirotex as a very
> thick
> >> layer does really seem to provide a lot of protection.
> >> Some years ago I started a TC project to dramatically outperform this
> 3.0
> >> Watts number. A lot of special fabrication was done and I still have
> >> everything ready to start some final plans and construction. One day
> when I
> >> have a few moments........
> >>
> >> Peter
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On 8/04/2010 1:16 PM, Dr.Hankenstein wrote:
> >>
> >>> Greetings,
> >>>
> >>> If you're not too sure on the effects of a good coating (or two or
> >>> three) of varnish; please refer to a scientific evaluation on the
> >>> following link:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.audiotesla.org/corona%20experiment.htm
> >>>
> >>> This should remove all doubt that varnish does more than just hold the
> >>> winding in place and end the hypothetical armchair speculation. Dr.
> >>> Spark has at least 80 coats of varnish on "Fatboy"---13+ footers out of
> >>> a 4 foot secondary proves it:
> http://www.drspark.org/fatboy1_rebuild.htm
> >>>
> >>> Regards,
> >>> Hank
> >>>
> >>>   _______________________________________________
> >> Tesla mailing list
> >> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> >> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tesla mailing list
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
> >
>
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>
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