Re: Coil costs $0.00? and $,$$$,$$$+++?

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

Original poster: "Bill Vanyo by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <vanyo-at-echoes-dot-net>

It just so happens I've been making a list lately, so that I could have
an accurate estimate of what my coil cost me.  I got nothing for free -
except my primary taps, from Terry - and better primary taps money can't
buy :)  Everything, with the exception of copper tubing for primary and
PVC pipe for secondary (and odd bits of hardware, glue, etc.), has been
or will be bought online, so there's shipping costs - often inflated
shipping costs.   Anyway, the shocking bottom line is over $1400 now, 
mostly in dribs and drabs.  I know that for just about everything on my
list, somebody will say I overpaid.  BTW, this is (or will be) my second 
coil - my first (6" diameter, three 15/60 NST's, 0.06uf 35kv Maxwell
cap) lasted just long enough (cap blew) to wet my appetite for something
bigger.  Well, here's my list (parts, price, source):

Power Supply:
Magnetek/Jefferson 15/60 NST	$ 90.31		eBay
2 Franceformer 15/60 NST's	$140.00		off list
1 Franceformer 15/60 NST 	$ 41.00		eBay
2 pole Antique Knife Switch, 
60amp, 250v, fused 		$ 26.00		eBay
50 Amp 240 Volt Variac		$166.50		eBay
Four 30 amp Line filters	$ 18.00		sciplus-dot-com
NST Protection Circuit parts	$ 48.98 	digi-key
HV Wire from NST's to coil	$ ?

Triggered Spark Gap:
Wells C834 Ignition Coil 	$ 23.83		autozone-dot-com
Lutron FS-5FH-WH Fan Control 	$ 13.64		homedepot-dot-com
20 amp Triac 			cheap		newark electronics
discrete components 		$ 15.72 	radioshack-dot-com
Fan of some sort		$ ?

Secondary:
10" PVC Pipe (10 foot length)	$ 42.94		local plumbing supply
9 lb. Spool 22 awg magnet wire  $ 46.00		parawire-dot-com (eBay)
For secondary end caps:
two PVC 1/2" Sheets, 12" X 24"	$ 31.52		McMaster-Carr
Epoxy				$ ?	

For MMC:
100 Geek Group caps 		$270.00		the geek group
200 bleeder resistors 		$  9.50		all electronics
Ring Terminals, 
22-18 Awg, 1/4" Stud, 100pkg	$  4.74		McMaster-Carr
G-10/FR4, Garolite Sheet 
1/8" Thick, 24" X 24"		$ 36.07		McMaster-Carr
2 Brass Threaded Rods, 2 foot	$  5.10		McMaster-Carr

Toroid, 9 by 30, spun aluminum 	$306.25		bulk buy off list

Ground Strap, 40 feet 1" thick 
tinned copper braid (+shipping)	$ 46.48		MECI Surplus

Primary:
Polyethylene supports 
(cutting boards)		$ ?
Copper tubing			$ ?




Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Terry Fritz" <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I was just wondering...
> 
> I know many have made coils for very little money and, of course, you can
> spend tons of cash on them too.  However, has anyone ever made a coil that
> they didn't buy anything for?  I mean, you found all the parts and such for
> free and didn't even buy glue or buy anything on it.  In other words, a
> truly "free" coil?
> 
> I think all the coils I have heard of required "something" to be purchased.
>  It would almost be a fun project to try and make a coil truly for free...
> Not even buying solder or anything.  Then we can truly say Tesla coils can
> be made for "nothing".
> 
> In the same light, anyone care to "reveal" how much they have spent on the
> most expensive coil?  I imagine some of the "pro" coils are up in the
> $10,000 plus plus range...  I realize the cost of pro coils like the Model
> 13 and the Electrum may be "secret" and the real cost may be a little hard
> to determine, but I was just curious who had the "World's Most Expensive
> Tesla Coil"...
> 
> Cheers,
> 
>         Terry