RE: RadioShack

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Ted Rosenberg by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com>

Tim:
First, good luck on the Variac. Be sure it can handle enough current for
your planned coil and have a margin of error.

Let me let you and the others on the list in on a secret. Coiling isn't
cheap!!!
When I "did the math" and initially invested $100 for a 4 foot length of 6"
diameter Plexiglas and end disks, I knew I was making a commitment. I just
had no idea of how much of one. Today I use PVC. Much cheaper.

By the time I got through buying all the stuff (and I have all the receipts)
I had spent over $450!

Now that includes all new stuff like $140 plus shipping for a 15/60
Allanson. Even brand new HD Line cords. I spared no expense. I learned!
But the plywood, the copper tubes, the flex duct, 100 caps, and the Variac
and so on. It adds up believe me!

I frankly envy many on the list who manage to convince a local merchant that
they are needy and in return they walk away with great coiling goodies at no
charge. My hat is off to such people. 
So, prepare your spouse for the budget dent and have fun...but be careful.

Safety First

Ted

-------------------------
Subject: Re: RadioShack


Original poster: "Tim by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
<warpath-at-wtp-dot-net>

Hey Ted, Thanks for the info. I talked to my friend who has been in the
electronics bussiness for 60 years(an
original "coiler" by the way-he used static electricity for producing
bolts) and he has offered to get a variac
for about $75.00. He does bussiness with DIGIKEY and speaks highly of them
for supplies. I will check out your
source for the 28awg magnet wire. I believe that "coilers" have to be part
"junk collectors" and part
"detective" to do what we do. Well, my wife is home now so I have to go
"beg" for some money to buy these
supplies.Let's see-how do I justify making lightning bolts????????????????
Later, Tim

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Ted Rosenberg by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com>
>
> Tim:
> As much loyalty as I have to RS, they don't carry a great deal that is
> suited to the coiler  :(
> For example, I used two 5x7 boards because I had room. But the larger
board
> from Digi-Key is easier to layout.
> Whewn I built my MMC, I did get the perf boards from RS. But we don't
carry
> the metalized poly caps. I bought those from D&M High Voltage (.047/1600
> Seacors at the time). On the other hand I bought the one hundred 10Mohm,
> 1/2W resistors from radioshack-dot-com at 1 cent each.
> My MMC is at http://www.flash-dot-net/~ford29/tesla/mmc01.jpg
>
> And if you need a fan, buy it surplus (I bought mine from
> http://www.meci-dot-com) because RS is too expensive for those.
>
> RS leans, today, toward more consumer electronics than parts. and Consumer
> Electronics is hardly coiling.
>
> You will soon find that you develop a personal shopping list or resources.
> For example, many get their wire from motor shops. I prefer new stuff. I
> found Paramount Wire in East orange NJ (http://www.parawire-dot-com). I bought
> 3000 feet of #24 GREEN Formvar equalvalent covered for $30. they have a
$25
> min. Nice stuff and my 2.7KW will be a part time Christmas tree <smile>.
> They have #28 too. Ask for Frank Amato and mention my name.
>
> Wood, PVC etc came from Home Depot and Lowes. The secondary tube came from
a
> local supplier to farm irrigation needs.
>
> And so it goes
> One really decent radioshack item...our #8 wire. It is vinyl covered,
> extremely flexible and easy to connect and it comes red and black. Good
> primary hookup wire.
>
> As for a Variac...try eBay and perhaps other coilers know a source. I
bought
> mine from Tandy Service (exclusive to employees). Its 10A and cost me $50
> new.
>
> Hope I've helped.
>
> Safety First
>
> Ted
>
> Subject: Re: RadioShack
>
> Original poster: "Tim by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
> <warpath-at-wtp-dot-net>
>
> Thanks Ted, I called the local RS here in Billings, MT and they didn't
seem
> to care to want to try and help me
> in locating material for building the TC.They told me I should go to an
> electronics supply house. I
> specifically asked for a variac and was told they didn't carry them. I
have
> taken Terry's advice and gone to
> DIGIKEY for the perf board($17.00) and I am going to ask Terry if he can
> supply the caps. I am still looking
> for a variac if you know where I might find one(preferably one that cost
> less than 1 leg and 2 arms).I am also
> trying to find the 28awg magnet wire for the secoundary. As a matter of
> fact, I am looking for everything(
> static spark gap material, high voltage wire, connectors,etc). So far,
> Digikey seems to carry most of the
> electrical stuff.  I appreciate all the help I can get though . All this
is
> slowly starting to make sense and
> the more it makes sense the more excited I get to build it. I can see
> already that it is going to cost( I'll be
> begging to my wife alot) a good chunk of money. So, I definitely want to
do
> it right the first time. Later, Tim
>
> Tesla list wrote:
>
> > Original poster: "Ted Rosenberg by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com>
> >
> > Tim: Just a quick note. I have been with RS for almost 20 years. If I
can
> > assist with respect to locating a catalog item, let me know. BTW,
> > regrettably, RS does not sell larger than 5x7 perf board. But theyb are
> > inexpensive. To build Terry's NST filter, I had to use 2 boards...one
for
> > each HV leg. It worked well but took a bit more room.
> > If you need a pictorial drawing, contact me off list.
> >
> > Safety First
> >
> > Ted
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > I have downloaded your pics about the protection circuit for my NST and
I
> am
> > a
> > little unsure about where to start. I am not even sure what perf board
is.
> > However,
> > I am going to make friends with the local Radio Shack and I will learn.