On Mon, 27 May 1996, Zev Berkovich wrote:

> I don't know anything about Tesla coils, so I wouldn't be able to help 
> you.  However, maybe you could help me.  I want to build one, can you 
> tell me where to start?


	Ok, some parts you probably should get are:

	1. neon sign transformer, 15kv
	2. heavy gauge insulated wire (probably a bit thicker
		than double strand wire used for lamp power cords).
	3. 3 foot length of 1 1/2 diameter pvc pipe
	4. very fine motor wire, shellacked (sp?) this wire is
	    like the wire used to wind electromagnets

	5. 1/4 inch plate glass, 5 sheets or so, about 16" x 22"
	6. plastic container for plate glass, one of those
	    under-bed containers will do
	7. motor oil, 10W-40 is ok
	8. misc parts

	Wind the fine wire around the pvc pipe, it takes a few
days usually, single layer

	Wind some of the thick wire around a quaker oats round box
	
	make a capacitor by putting tin foil sheets, with rounded
edges, between the plates. immerse the plates in the oil, getting
out bubbles

	hook up the transformer across a spark gap to the plates,
	which are in parallel with the primary winding (thick wire).
	
	put the pvc pipe with the fine wire upright and inside the 
quaker oats box with the primary

	Ground the lower wire of the secondary (fine wire from pvc,
	the wire on the lowest part, where you started to wind the
	wire) to a pipe or some suitable ground

	Turn on the transformer briefly; don't look at the spark
	gap because too much ultraviolet radiation

	it is loud, will interfere with radio, tv, cable, etc.

> 

	There are some equations, if I recall

	cost is maybe 50 to 100 dollars


	there are plans for a parlor-trick size device in
the book _Build your own working laser, phaser, ion ray gun_
that can be readily scaled up

	Good luck

WARNING: if you have a cat, a curious cat, make sure it stays
away from the apparatus or else all that will be left will
be a wisker, and your next project will have to be a crystal radio


> In article <4o4486$n67@carbon.cudenver.edu> you wrote:
> 
> : 	Ok, I made one that put out 2 foot sparks.
> 
> : 	Now is time for the grandaddy of them all.
> 
> : 	It should not be operable indoors, for obvious reasons.
> 
> 
> : 	How? (because if I asked, "why?" that would presuppose a reason)
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 




Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 23:15:02 -0600

Original Subject: Re: Huge Fucking Tesla Coil.


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