Tesla's power supply

[amigo]

I haven't tried mylar, but it'll be easy enough. And mylar is usually aluminized on one side, so there's one electrode already. Thanks for pointing this out. And I agree with your assessment of oil, for self healing. That's why I like to use both oil and plastic. Although oil does require a much higher plate separation distance. Is there a ready source of mylar which is comparable in price to the sheet protectors? You can get 50 of them at WalMart, at 1.4 mills, for around $4.

What are these sheet protectors at WalMart, and are they aluminized as well? Could you please post a link to it or something for a reference to look for?

thanks.

[Electrotek]

amigo: The sheet protectors are like a transparent file folder you slip a sheet of typing paper into. They're in the area with the typing paper. I just trim down a sheet of aluminum foil so it'll fit, leaving room at the edges and a flange to stick out one end. Then I stack them up, with one or two extra protectors between the layers. The thing you have to watch out for is air pockets. At high frequency, these will heat up and blow a hole through the insulation. That's why I like to immerse everything in linseed oil and squeeze the air out.

[Guest]

Im thinking of ordering some 20 micron Mylar (0.8 mil) and 100 micron aluminium foil (3.9 mil), how hard would it be to work with materials of those thicknesses with no specialised cutting tools?

[amigo]

amigo: The sheet protectors are like a transparent file folder you slip a sheet of typing paper into. They're in the area with the typing paper. I just trim down a sheet of aluminum foil so it'll fit, leaving room at the edges and a flange to stick out one end. Then I stack them up, with one or two extra protectors between the layers. The thing you have to watch out for is air pockets. At high frequency, these will heat up and blow a hole through the insulation. That's why I like to immerse everything in linseed oil and squeeze the air out.

Cool, I'll write a mental note to myself about it, though I don't like linseed oil, not healthy. Perhaps some other oil could be used, such as mineral oil?

Also would laminating the sheets work better, as that would push the air out between the layers?

[Electrotek]

Cool, I'll write a mental note to myself about it, though I don't like linseed oil, not healthy. Perhaps some other oil could be used, such as mineral oil?

Also would laminating the sheets work better, as that would push the air out between the layers?

Laminating would be great, if it would work. I've thought about that, but wondered if there has to be some kind of glue. If not, that would solve the biggest problem with home made caps.

[Mark]

There's 2 kinds of laminating sheets. One does have glue the other does not and uses heat and roller to seal the 2 pieces.

[amigo]

There's 2 kinds of laminating sheets. One does have glue the other does not and uses heat and roller to seal the 2 pieces.

Yes, I was thinking of the heat treated ones, and as long as you get all the air bubbles out of laminate, which usually happens on its own with good heat laminators, the surface should be pristine.