Re: Newbie with a questions

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Ed Phillips <evp@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Original poster: mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi,

I'm new to the tesla coil world and coil winding, I'm currently building a 3"
coil using a 15kv nst.  Anyway I fine on the contruction of everything other
than winding the secondary coil, I've obtained a 3"x27" piece of acrylic pipe,
which has a high sheen to it. Now I've never wound such a large coil, (the
largest was a loo roll tube when I was a kid for a antenna tuner.) Can you
suggest how to go about a fixing the wire for the first turn and how to keep it
in place while winding, special as I'm doing this by hand. My own thoughts are
to rough the acrylic up as to not have a slippery surface, and apply a light
varnish as I go which should go tacky and hold the wire.

Anyway thanks for any suggestions

Cheers

Mark
UK"

   I usually use masking tape to hold the first turn in place and 
keep several pre-cut pieces to hold winding tight when I have to stop 
winding for some reason.  If you keep the windings tight you won't 
need to use the varnish first.  First few turns may be less than 
ideal but as you go along you'll get perfect turns and you can always 
discard the bad ones later.  When the winding is complete use varnish 
(usually shellac although its getting more expensive than urethane) 
to make the whole winding secure.  Big word of caution!!!!!
BE SURE TO CHECK WHATEVER VARNISH YOU PLAN TO USE TO MAKE SURE IT 
DOESN'T CRAZE THE ACRYLIC!!! Some will some won't.

Ed