Can't get a good bang

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

Original poster: "steve" <steve_vance-at-cablelynx-dot-com> 

Hi list,

I just got finished with my small 5-30 NST powered coil. I am getting
streamers about 6-8" long into the air and, about 11" to a grounded wire.
The problem is that they are thin and wispy. I believe the coil is in tune,
If I move one turn in or out the streamer length decreases. The problem
seems to be the spark gap. I'm not getting the usual loud bang that I get if
I unhook the coil and run the transformer and caps on the gap by themselves.
If I open the gap over about 5/16" when it is on the coil It won't arc at
all. Without the coil I can open it up to about 3/8" and get a nice loud
bang. What gives? I used 10AWG solid wire to connect everything. All the
connections are soldered ring terminals. Any suggestions?  You can see it
here http://fire.prohosting-dot-com/~bonestc/babycoil.html

Steve Vance