Re: RE- coil form questions

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: RE- coil form questions
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 22:00:45 -0600
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

From: 	Randy Venable[SMTP:randy-at-gte-dot-net]
Reply To: 	randy-at-gte-dot-net
Sent: 	Thursday, November 20, 1997 11:08 PM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: RE- coil form questions

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> From:   Robert Michaels[SMTP:robert.michaels-at-online.sme-dot-org]
> Sent:   Sunday, November 16, 1997 7:17 AM
> To:     tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject:        RE- coil form questions
> 
> TL>From:  randy-at-gte-dot-net[SMTP:randy-at-gte-dot-net]
> TL>Subject:  coil form questions
> 
> TL>I tried to post some of these questions previously, but either the
> TL>post didn't make it or the replies never made it to me.
> 
> TL>1.What about fiberglass? If properly sealed, would this make a suitable
> TL>  form material? They do make helical-wound 'glass antennas for HF use.
> 
>         The fiberglass part of fiberglass is -- glass.  And glass
>         is glass.

I realize that; I was concerned about the electrical characteristics
of the resin per se; dielectric strength problems, distributed C, 
moisture affinity (yes, I would seal it after turning it to its final
shape, its present form has a very irregular surface due to the winding
"crosshatch" type pattern) etc.

<snip>
>                 How much strength does it take to hold an
>                 aluminum torous and a length of #26 (or whatever)
>                 wire?
> 
>         So --
> 
>         My answer to you is:  Yes.  It's acceptable.
> 
>         My question to you is:  Why the hell would anyone bother?
>

Answer: Because I can lay my hands on two tapered fiberglass poles.
        Each approx 27' in length, tapering from eight inches down
        approximately four inches. I would guess that it would take
        considerable strength to support a torus suitable for such
        a beast, given twenty-seven feet of leverage.
        I realize that this is a bit of an odd h/d ratio, but, hell,
        I can dream, can't I?

> TL>2.What about tapered coil forms; any problems here?
> 
>         Dr. Tesla liked them.  They were quite popular up into
>         the 1920s or so.   Very traditional.  Like gutta percha.
> 
> TL>3.What about those orange "road cones" for traffic control. The usual
> TL>  variety that I see are one-piece semi-rigid or rather floppy, but I
> TL>  have seen 2-piece (base,cone) type that are somewhat stiffer.
> 
>         You can answer this for yourself after you answer these
>         three questions of mine:
> 
>         1) Have you read today's posts on various polymers and
>            their suitability for Tesla-work?
A:Not yet.
> 
>         2) Do you recall Michael's Pyro-organoleptic Test for
>            identifying polymers?
> 
>                 Hint:  You burn it and sniff it.  Then Compare
>                        the aroma with that of known specimens.

A:I am not about to intentionally inhale fumes from burning synthetic
  compounds. A friend of mine got a good whiff off of heated (not 
  burning) PVC. It's not clear whether he actually lost consciousness
  or not, but, close enough. I am sure there is a bevy of -aldehydes
  and cyanides and various other bugaboos just waiting to happen.
  
> 
>         3) Of what substance are the traffic cones made?

A: I have no idea. Was hoping a list member could offer up such info.

> 
>                                         Coiling-on, in
>                                         -- Detroit, USA
> 
>                                         Robert Michaels

Thanks for your reply; that's the answer I was after!
Much appreciated!
Randy