[TCML] Winding the primary

[bunnykiller]

Hey Neal...

Heating the tube with a propane torch untill it changes to a darker 
color seems to work...  but it leaves a rather unsightly tone to the 
copper and if you desire that nice sheen/shine, a fair amount of work 
will be needed to bring back the luster...

Scot D



Neal Namowicz wrote:

> I have a couple of lengths of  "salvaged" tubing myself with a few too 
> many bends in it. I wouldn't have bothered in the past, but with the 
> cost of copper... Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has managed to 
> UN-work harden tubing? I was thinking of sticking it in the oven on 
> high heat for a while and letting it slowly cool. Anyone ever try it? 
> It's a pain in the neck, sure, but compared to unpotting an nst for 
> example, it doesn't sound too bad.
>
> Neal.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Quarkster" <quarkster at att.net>
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla at pupman.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Winding the primary
>
>
>> Steve -
>>
>>  What is your primary conductor? If you're using copper tubing, here 
>> are a few tips:
>>
>>  1. Use virgin refrigeration tubing, and leave it in the coiled shape 
>> that it comes in. Don't try to re-use "salvaged" tubing if you want a 
>> nice looking primary. Copper tubing "work-hardens" and stiffens very 
>> rapidly as you deform it, so deform it as little as possible.
>>
>>  2. DO NOT try to straighten the tubing, then re-form it into a 
>> spiral. The tubing will work-harden, then is likely to kink and 
>> become unmanagable.
>>
>>  3. Have an assistant hold the coil of tubing about a foot above your 
>> primary forms, and just let one coil drop down at a time. The typical 
>> diameter of a coil of rerfigeration tubing is around 18", so I start 
>> at the end of the primary that is closest in diameter to the diameter 
>> of the coil of tubing. For a small diameter primary this means 
>> starting at the OUTSIDE of the primary form and wind inward. For a 
>> large diameter primary, this means starting at the INSIDE of the 
>> primary form and winding outward. This way the tubing requires 
>> minimum deformation initially, and then must be gradually formed into 
>> a larger or smaller radius as you move outward or inward.
>>
>>  Regards,
>>  Herr Zappp
>>
>
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