How To Build A Spark Gap Tesla Coil (SGTC) Shoot foot-long bolts of lighting through the air, light fluorescent tubes without wires, and power your other high voltage experiments with the aid of this tabletop-sized Tesla coil!
Once the parts have arrived, it comes together in about a weekend, and for less than $200 even for those without a big bin of spare parts. I built this coil for fun over a few weekends during 10th grade, juggling eigenvalue problems and European history for drilling and soldering high voltage components. Wind Power Without the Blades: Big Pics. How to Build your own Tesla Coil. Once you’ve seen a big home-built Tesla coil in operation, you may decide you’ve got to have one too, even if it’s just a tabletop version to play around with.
There are companies offering detailed plans and DIY kits containing all materials needed, but you quickly come to the realization that their expense may be prohibitive ($30 for a micro version to $1100+ for big performers.) See also: Amazing Tesla Coil High Voltage Gallery As an experienced hacker, you soon think that there has to be a cheaper way. How about making one from only the junk you can find in trash bins? Make your own Plasma Globe. Nikola Tesla Page, Tesla Coil (Bill Beaty's Homepage)