You could use a bench grinder, but you would end up putting a groove in the wheel as they (wheels) don't have much width. Also wheels are dearer than belt sander / Linisher belts.
If they are Thoriated DON'T breathe the dust, for others it's best avoid breathing the dust, (especially so if like me you have asthma, - I found that after grinding without a mask a few years back)
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of wt5y
Sent: 20 January 2016 16:16
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Spark Gap Electrodes - Flat or Rounded
What a bench grinder? Or would that tame too much too fast? Are there breathing hazards from dust
Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S5™, a Cricket 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: Phil <pip@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 01/20/2016 05:55 (GMT-06:00)
To: 'Tesla Coil Mailing List' <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [TCML] Spark Gap Electrodes - Flat or Rounded
Matthew,
You can round out the ends of Tungsten (in my case 0.25") by a belt sander or linisher, and using a drill.
It WILL wreck the belt though, but I find I can do eight ends on an already used belt ok.
Start the belt and chuck the Tungsten in the drill and simply hold against revolving belt. I used to make half hemispheres but now I find just rounding the edges is sufficient - just need to lose the 90 degree edge.
You can just make the curve out in third photo down:
http://www.hvtesla.com/srsg_2015.html (statics are 3/8 Tung / Copper, revolving are pure Tungsten)
Green welding rods (pure) are harder to do than those that are doped with something, I have found though.
Tungsten copper will cut very easily and you can round those with a file, but it ablates quicker (3/8 inch Diam' on 7kw or so)
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of msweeney23@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: 19 January 2016 00:26
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Spark Gap Electrodes - Flat or Rounded
Ok thanks, maybe ill just use screw on brass electrodes for now i dont have anything to round out tungsten.
Sent from my HTC
----- Reply message -----
From: "Carl Noggle" <cn8@xxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TCML] Spark Gap Electrodes - Flat or Rounded
Date: Mon, Jan 18, 2016 6:12 PM
All spark gaps should be rounded. The field enhancement at the edges of a flat gap electrode will cause it to go into corona before the spark forms, giving erratic operation. A radius of curvature less than about 25% of the gap spacing will go into corona first. Also, with wear the electrodes will eventually become rounded, requiring adjustment during the process. (Nature usually knows best.)
---Carl
On 1/18/2016 4:21 PM, Matthew Sweeney wrote:
> I see a great deal of conflicting information regarding this, and I'm
> in the process of making my tungsten spark gap for a small single NST
> (12k/30ma) coil.
>
> Should I be using tungsten rods with flat ends, or rounded? I've heard
that
> rounded ends are good for safety gaps but actual spark gaps should
> have nice flattened ends. Is this true for static gaps and not just
> rotary
gaps?
>
> I will eventually make an RQ gap but starting off simple for now with
> a basic one or two static rod gap design.
>
> Any help appreciated!
>
> Matt
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
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