To Rick re. Coil Winder

[Christian]

Hi Rick!

I rellay like your coil winder design! How do you though seal your coils / construct the coil housing?

Any help with this difficult matter is highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Christian

[Rick S]

Re: To Rick re. Coil Winder




Christian,
There are three parts to each form. The bottom, middle and top. The middle is the most important piece. I have a 6" dia. that has been cut in fours pieces along with the center part has been cut for easy removel. I use masking tape with the sticky side facing outward that has been cut to the wideth of the middle pieces of plastic, so the inlay will be easy. Any wider it will be difficult to lay flat. I use a long piece of wood and stretch a piece of masking tape along it length and use a scrap of plastic of the same wideth to space exactly. I cut enough for two length or diameters of your coil. The inside and the outside.
The form has a hole drilled on the 6" dia. to allow the beginning magent wire to be pulled through and taped for a firm anchor point. I wind the coil and for each pass I use a small paint brush to spread varnish over the coil windings. I use varnish because comes off the acrylic with acetone without much reaction. When finished I use the other piece of tape to go over the finished coil. I let the varnish set and then I pull the coil off the former. The coil is removed easily by removing the middle pieces. What you have left is a firm neat coil. I will try a pic and see if it gets through. Once removed I add additional tape to keep the wires in place and brush more varnish. The coil in this pic has been removed, but replaced for the picture.
Any more questions let me know.

Rick S

[Carl]

Re: To Rick re. Coil Winder

Rick,

I think what Christian is asking is... how do you encase a coil once it's wound? Manufacturers use vacuum formed or injection molded shells, what's a good method for the hobbyist? I guess you can always use resin but that makes it heavy.

- Carl

[Rick S]

Re: To Rick re. Coil Winder

Carl,
You are right Carl. On a PI coil I have made a half shell out of pvc pipe. I cut 1/3 of the top of the pipe after it has been shaped into a circle. Insert the coil and use a good Marine two part expoxy that is some what flexible after it has solidified. If a DD is wanted, I have used acrylic plastic and shape it with jigs(made out of wood) to make a top and bottom. I use my kitchen oven to heat the plastic to form coil covers with the jigs. What ever works. Go to Mr. Bills web site and look at the Coils sold for the SD2200 made by Eric. A picture is worth a thousand words. Hope this helps.

Rick S