Cutting torroidal cores

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

Original poster: "Ben McMillen by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <spoonman534-at-yahoo-dot-com>

Hi all,
   Does anyone have any suggestions on how I might go about
cutting a 1/2" wide slot in a torridal core? (the kind that
you find in variacs) I need to cut a slot all the way
through to make a "c" core so that a metal disc can pass
between the poles. The cores are made from soft iron strap
that's been coiled. They've also got plastic formers around
the inside and outside. I've heard mention that they tend
to come apart when cut... Is there any way to prevent this?
I've got access to a really good machine shop..

Thanks for any help!

Coiling In Pittsburgh
Ben McMillen