Plastic Spools for Coils - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jim_jobe · 13th Nov 2007, 6:21 pm

I was in Boyes (for you Southern Gentleman, Boyes is what Woolworths used to be like in the 40s and is to be found in most Yorkshire towns) in Yarm the other day and while my XYL was eyeing up the haberdashery, I did likewise and spotted a good find. Clear Plastic Spools, presumably for sewing machines at 20p each. They look ideal for winding small transformers, RF Coils, IFTs,etc. I bought a dozen and will give them a go at the weekend.
Jim

electroanorak · 13th Nov 2007, 7:01 pm

Hi Jim,

Yes sounds good....

I use the old T.V convegence coil formers, Now I did have loads of these in all diferent sizes (brand new).
I will have a dig around to see what I can find...

Daniel.

jim_jobe · 14th Nov 2007, 11:19 am

I haven't tried those but they sound useful too.
Jim

JHGibson · 14th Nov 2007, 4:54 pm

Those are all good hints. I have been using components for white polystyrene one inch plastic water pipe. It is high Q material. The couplings are a useful size and the threaded components for interconnecting with iron piping are great - you just lay the coil wire in the threads. Perfect for shortwave.
John.

jim_jobe · 15th Nov 2007, 12:00 pm

Yes John,
I also used to wind coils on those plastic arrangements women used to curl their hair with. They were ridged too and were great for spaced turns.(This is starting to sound weird!)
Jim

ppppenguin · 15th Nov 2007, 12:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHGibson

Those are all good hints. I have been using components for white polystyrene one inch plastic water pipe. It is high Q material.....

Don't think we have that in the UK. AFAIK, our plastic water pipe is PVC of some kind. Not as low loss as polystyrene.

JHGibson · 15th Nov 2007, 4:59 pm

I check my non standard coil formers for low rf loss by running them in a microwave oven together with a cup of water for a load. If the formers heat excessively I try another style former.
John.

electroanorak · 15th Nov 2007, 7:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by electroanorak

Hi Jim,

Yes sounds good....

I use the old T.V convegence coil formers, Now I did have loads of these in all diferent sizes (brand new).
I will have a dig around to see what I can find...

Daniel.

This is them !!! The old convegence coils/formers.
I will drag out what I can over the next few weeks, and offer them FREE on the appropriate section of the forum.

Daniel.

Ed_Dinning · 15th Nov 2007, 10:34 pm

Hi Daniel, is your panto Alladin (and his cave) by any chance this year?

Best regards, Ed

Aub · 16th Nov 2007, 11:08 am

Well he did say he would DRAG them out.....

electroanorak · 16th Nov 2007, 1:12 pm

Ahhh...

No! we are doing Snow white this year, but that was a very good one....

"Sorry, I am not trying to advertise"

I do however have an Aladdin's cave full of goodies, that when I get more time to sort out, will end up here.....

Mmmm! Never done drag or acting myself (I only act stupid sometimes)

Daniel.

13th Nov 2007, 6:21 pm	#1
jim_jobe Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ripon, N.Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 782	Plastic Spools for Coils I was in Boyes (for you Southern Gentleman, Boyes is what Woolworths used to be like in the 40s and is to be found in most Yorkshire towns) in Yarm the other day and while my XYL was eyeing up the haberdashery, I did likewise and spotted a good find. Clear Plastic Spools, presumably for sewing machines at 20p each. They look ideal for winding small transformers, RF Coils, IFTs,etc. I bought a dozen and will give them a go at the weekend. Jim

13th Nov 2007, 7:01 pm	#2
electroanorak Hexode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tonyrefail, Rhondda, South Wales, UK. Posts: 337	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Hi Jim, Yes sounds good.... I use the old T.V convegence coil formers, Now I did have loads of these in all diferent sizes (brand new). I will have a dig around to see what I can find... Daniel.

14th Nov 2007, 11:19 am	#3
jim_jobe Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ripon, N.Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 782	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils I haven't tried those but they sound useful too. Jim

14th Nov 2007, 4:54 pm	#4
JHGibson Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada Posts: 368	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Those are all good hints. I have been using components for white polystyrene one inch plastic water pipe. It is high Q material. The couplings are a useful size and the threaded components for interconnecting with iron piping are great - you just lay the coil wire in the threads. Perfect for shortwave. John. Last edited by JHGibson; 14th Nov 2007 at 5:03 pm.

15th Nov 2007, 12:00 pm	#5
jim_jobe Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ripon, N.Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 782	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Yes John, I also used to wind coils on those plastic arrangements women used to curl their hair with. They were ridged too and were great for spaced turns.(This is starting to sound weird!) Jim

15th Nov 2007, 4:59 pm	#7
JHGibson Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada Posts: 368	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils I check my non standard coil formers for low rf loss by running them in a microwave oven together with a cup of water for a load. If the formers heat excessively I try another style former. John.

15th Nov 2007, 10:34 pm	#9
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Hi Daniel, is your panto Alladin (and his cave) by any chance this year? Best regards, Ed

16th Nov 2007, 11:08 am	#10
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Well he did say he would DRAG them out.....

16th Nov 2007, 1:12 pm	#11
electroanorak Hexode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tonyrefail, Rhondda, South Wales, UK. Posts: 337	Re: Plastic Spools for Coils Ahhh... No! we are doing Snow white this year, but that was a very good one.... "Sorry, I am not trying to advertise" I do however have an Aladdin's cave full of goodies, that when I get more time to sort out, will end up here..... Mmmm! Never done drag or acting myself (I only act stupid sometimes) Daniel.