How to build a Tesla Coil

Step 3: Wind the Secondary

Put a small slot into the top of the pipe to wrap one end of the wire around. Slowly and carefully begin to wrap the coil, making sure that you don't overlap wires or have spaces. This step is the hardest and most tedious part, but taking a lot of time will yield a very nice coil. Every 20 or so turns, put a ring of masking tape around the coil to act as a barrier if the coil starts to unravel. Once finished, wrap a tight piece of tape around the top and bottom of the coil and spray it with 2 or 3 coats of enamel.

Tips:

• I built a rig for winding my coil that consisted of a microwave turntable motor (3 RPM) and a ball bearing.
• Use a small block of wood with a notch in it to straighten the wire and tighten the coil.

Comments

[emanruiz12]

I am very impressed with the simplicity of this overall, congrats to the poster. My question is, do you spray the enamel over the entire secondary or on the ends or what?

[funwithpower4242]

You want to spray enamel over the wire covering the secondary that is wrapped around the PVC. The little bit of enamel insulation at each end of the wire that attaches to the toroid and ground, you actually wants to remove by stripping or sanding off the enamel, to have a straight copper connection at each end of the wire.

[cclark2]

im doing this as a sixth grade science project and im wondering what you meant about the slot in the pvc. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is my first tesla coil, so im just lost.

[lis.tesla]

i built one for my science project in sixth grade and one against works bombs and stuff... igot first place

[phooper1]

get your parents involved in this

[spark light]

All he is saying is have a way to secure the wire when and where you start as this will allow you to wrap it.
Make sure you wind it tight and avoid and correct overlaps if at all possible.

[makincoolstuff]

i found electricians tape works better than masking tape

[makincoolstuff]

does it matter if you leave a space or over lap?

[Benthomash]

What is the enamel for??

[lwil]

extra insulation and adhesion

[cclark2]

im doing this as a sixth grade science project. how do i find these various peaces of wood?

[hackoa]

How many turns?

[Turtles never lie!]

why do you need to connect the wire to the top? (the slit)

[bfriesen-1]

to hold it in place so that it won't unwind. duh.

[alfareifaldy]

how big the diameter of the magnet wire? and I'm having trouble getting NST Transformer, can I use the drivers Flyback Transformer?.

[sixpackwill]

can i use 24 awg galvanized steel wire instead??? I couldnt find copper wire with that thickness at home depot. Please answer ASAP. thanks!

[bwang]

No, galvanized steel has no insulation and steel has too high of a resistance.

[AHW214]

How tall (long) is you secondary?

[malik98]

can i use 14 awg wire

[AHW214]

For the secondary you can't, it is too thick. I think he used 24 awg wire.

[bigkratzer]

how many turns did you do and or suggest

[username987]

What's inside the pvc tube ? and were is it connected i'mn not sure about the connection to make what gos in what and what is the copper tube for need help plzz for my science project ! :) thanks you

[el tico]

how do you make this thing'

[4582190]

wow

[TheNuclearWatermelon]

hey i think i have the same vice as you! is yours an Irwin?

[Argdeblarg]

I have 395 feet of wire instead of just 300ft... Is it okay if I use all of it, or should I only use 300ft of it?

[DevCoder]

yep

[lolomolo]

yep use it all or yep use 300ft of it?

[DevCoder]

sry... if you are following me exactly, 300 ft, if not just wing it (that's what i did and am doing as i send this)

[bear199]

or you can just use a screwdriver on VERY slow

[bear199]

a machine driven... lol

[123456]

What did you use as power supply and how did you hook it up

[RATM.Rulz]

How long should the PVC Pipe be?

[DevCoder]

however tall you want it to be, mine is about 18"