The bike sprocket cog could be a pretty decent idea. Only problem would be that this would require some extensive modification to accommodate the extra required shaft(s) for the cog itself (or themselves). I'm still thinking that the larger diameter control wheel is the way to go for my particular situation. Oh well, it's no big deal that requires immediate attention, as I have been operating with the original phenolic wheel for several years now :^)
I appreciate the offer Chris, but the cost of a special trip to MI could never be justified just for me to make a bigger control wheel. ;^) I'll definitely keep the GG facility in mind if I ever happen to be going through your neck of the woods, though, as I'm sure a visit there would be something that just about anyone on this list could enjoy.
Some of the other suggestions require that I have (or at least have access to) a lathe, which I don't have. Heck, I don't even have a drill press yet! I have put that off for too long and do need to try to rectify that problem soon. I do have a birthday later this month - hmmm.
Anyway, thanks for all of the suggestions as you guys never seem to fail to accommodate the "inquiring mind" ;^)
David
On Thursday, July 3, 2014 12:36 PM, Phil <pip@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
All,
A couple of bike cogs would easily give 2:1 or 3:1 gearing - better than
fitting a large wheel I imagine. The motorised ones usually use a 'bike'
chain to a motor's reduction gearbox output anyway, I believe.
Phil T
-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Jeremy Gassmann
Sent: 03 July 2014 16:07
To: David Rieben
Cc: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Bigger Variac Control Wheel
I'm not mechanically inclined either, but have you considered gearing it
down to make it easier to turn? I don't know the how details but it might
make sense.
Jeremy
On Thursday, July 3, 2014, David Rieben <drieben@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have been recently trying to secure an economical control wheel to
> replace the factory black phenolic control knob wheel on my 4-stacked
1256D
> Powerstats in my Green Monster pig coil control panel. Reason being is
> that the turning of the combined 4 variacs while smooth, does offer
> significant resistance to overcome the friction of turning the rotating
> guts of 4 large units. I'm sure the factory 7" outer diamter control
wheels
> that Powerstats come with are more designed for operating a single variac
> unit and not multiple units. (Multiple units are typically operated with a
> remote control motorized drive). I can run the variac thru its range
simply
> enough, but to do so comfortably pretty much requires both hands. So, I'm
> kind of looking for something a bit larger, say in the 10" to 13" diameter
> range, or maybe just 8" diameter if it had one of those "suicide knob"
type
> handles on the wheel, like a lathe control wheel, for example. I've
spotted
> a few possible candidates on eBay but am a little concerned on how well
the
> hub would match up with my 3/4" solid steel shaft through my variacs. Some
> of
> the boat steering wheels have the tapered 5/8" to 3/4" hub hole and that
> would not work for a solid 3/4" shaft. Some of the large valve control
> wheels look like a possible fit or if the hub was too small but straight
> and untapered, I could simply bore it out to the required 3/4", although
> finding a 3/4" standard twist drill bit in my local Home Depot has proven
> to be rather illusive. Anyway, I do prefer the manual hand control to
> motorized control but would like the find a control wheel that offers a
bit
> more leverage. Here a couple of eBay candidates that I have found:
>
>
>
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301222411547?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName
=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
> and
>
>
>
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121374903703?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName
=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
>
>
> Any suggestions from those more mechanically inclined than me (not
> difficult at all :-) would be most welcome.
>
> Oh yea, is anyone else having trouble snipping a chosen part of a post
> when responding via "reply all" through the new format of this list?
>
> Thanks,
> David
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