RE: [TCML] sucker gap material

[Yurtle Turtle <yurtle_t@xxxxxxxxx>]

More telling than machining is welding. While machining metal can get it hot, welding is more like what it will experience in a spark gap. 316L SS can be welded with no problems from fumes.

Adam

--- On Tue, 3/16/10, Richard Schmuke <rdj@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Richard Schmuke <rdj@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [TCML] sucker gap material
> To: "'Tesla Coil Mailing List'" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 8:57 PM
> Gary , this is from an old machinist.
> SS is safe to machine, no fumes, no
> problem. I have spent many machining all kinds of stainless
> steel. I have
> also machined, lava  ( a ceramic before it was baked)
> carbon and fiberglass
> had to wear breathing protection. The only thing to avoid a
> straight
> beryllium. 
> Beryllium copper is very common in electronic applications
> and is safe to
> machine. It is used in the clips that grip the pins on
> vacuum tubes and
> other electrical contacts. More problems can be caused by
> fumes from cutting
> oils  and dust from metal that the metal itself being
> cut.
> Rich
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf
> Of Lau, Gary
> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 7:54 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: RE: [TCML] sucker gap material
> 
> I would choose brass fittings over SS for a variety of
> reasons.
> 
> The cost of two brass fittings can't be that great compared
> the rest of your
> coil, even if SS is free.  Machining SS is a lot
> tougher than brass.  I
> think I recall hearing that if SS is heated, it may emit
> toxic fumes, but
> can't confirm this.
> 
> As to the opening, I think you're referring to the axial
> hole in the
> fittings.  The thing that matters is the air velocity
> through the arc
> channel.  I don't think the axial hole diameter will
> affect this too much,
> as long as it's not too small.  Mine was roughly 3/8"
> diameter; I wouldn't
> go smaller.
> 
> Regards, Gary Lau
> MA, USA
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> > Behalf Of Dan Casaregola
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 7:48 PM
> > To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> > Subject: [TCML] sucker gap material
> > 
> > I'm building a sucker gap, and was wondering whether
> stainless steel would
> be
> > acceptable as gap material as opposed to copper or
> some other metal.  I
> have a
> > neighbor who tells me not to buy any type of fittings
> since he has plenty
> (all
> > stainless steel).  Second question; what size
> opening is appropriate in
> the gap?
> > Larger opening allows greater flow of air, therefore
> better cooling?  Or
> smaller
> > opening causing increased pressure of air
> stream?  Thanks  Dan
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