Alien coil help

[Rhett1977]

I saw where @raymo2u posted a quick tutorial on the show your builds thread on how to make aliens. I was wondering if you or @CrazyChef or anyone else proficient in making aliens could give a little more detail to the less fortunate like myself. I've watched M. Terk's video I don't know how many times and several others and just need a little more instruction. Thank you in advance for your time!!!!

 

[CrazyChef]

If you can be a little more specific on where you're having trouble, I'll try to help.

 

[Rhett1977]

When I stretch out the wire I seem to either go too far or not far enough. People keep saying you'll feel it but I'm not. @raymo2u said:
Clapton a small amount of wire, then using the same size core you claptoned with line up three peices next to each other. Now stretch the clapton until the wire can lay flat and curve over the sides...thats how far they need to be stretched.

So line up 3 28gauge pieces and stretch the Clapton until it's as long as the 28 gauge piece laying flat. Right? I'm coming up short doing this. So I try a little more stretch and I went too far. Not sure if this makes any sense at all or not. How do you recommend learning how much to stretch?

 

[CrazyChef]

Dude, I can't even begin to tell how much wire I went through trying to figure out how much to stretch the de-cored Clapton wire. Try this (and this is approximate): For every one foot of de-cored Clapton wire, stretch it about 8 feet. This will vary depend on the core gauge and the Clapton gauge, but it's about right for 26 gauge cores and 36 gauge Clapton. Could be less, could be more, depending on how tight your original Clapton is.

 

[Rhett1977]

Ok. Just trying to figure out that sweet spot. I appreciate your help very much!!!

 

[raymo2u]

I dont remember making a tut about aliens, your thinking of Chef...I only learned how to stretch it the other day..
I posted a small bit about stretching a clapton over the 3 wires to see where the curves would wrap perfectly over the 3 strands and thats about where you want it stretched to. Its really something you have to find yourself because it cant be shown unless with video and even then it might not click for you.

 

[Rhett1977]

I quoted you in my original post about your tut on stretching it. Not sure if you saw that or not. You were responding to @Mythical_OD because he's having trouble with them also. I didn't see where chef did a tut. Where and when was that. I wanna go check it out. Thanks y'all!!!!

 

[CrazyChef]

Sorry, no tuts from me. I'm tutless.

 

[raymo2u]

I quoted you in my original post about your tut on stretching it. Not sure if you saw that or not. You were responding to @Mythical_OD because he's having trouble with them also. I didn't see where chef did a tut. Where and when was that. I wanna go check it out. Thanks y'all!!!!

Somewhere around 40-60 pages in of the post your builds thread....I dont recall, it was either him or Scarecrowjenkins that posted it. I wouldnt really call what I posted a tut but a hint of where to stretch the clapton..

 

[Rhett1977]

That's ok chef. What you told me and what @raymo2u said I think will get me going. I'm just not stretching far enough. That's my problem. I'm working on 6-8" sections trying to learn. What lengths do you build?

 

[raymo2u]

That's ok chef. What you told me and what @raymo2u said I think will get me going. I'm just not stretching far enough. That's my problem. I'm working on 6-8" sections trying to learn. What lengths do you build?

14"-18" usually at a time...I like to get 3-4 coils out of it when I do it, most of the time I end up with atleast 3 that are decent (6 Wraps/3mm ID)

 

[Rhett1977]

Ok. I'm just tryin to get a single coil out of each section. Thank you again!!!

 

[CrazyChef]

I only do about a foot at a time. Enough for a pair of coils with a little extra room for errors. And there will be errors. Just use the good parts.

 

[Rhett1977]

Yes sir. Errors are a part of coil making. I'm just trying to get better. It keeps me busy and out of trouble!

 

[CrazyChef]

Here's a pic of some 3x30K/38N that I just did:

 

[Rhett1977]

Thank you for the close up shot of the wrapping wire. That helps a lot. I haven't seen the wire wrapping like that. No doubt it's been posted but I will save this picture. Thanks again!!!

 

[raymo2u]

I think yesterday was the first time I've ever made a whole length without a single error all the way to the end...and Ive been practicing alot every single day since I first got them right..

 

[Rhett1977]

Holy cow that is fucking tight. Dammit man.

 

[raymo2u]

Holy cow that is fucking tight. Dammit man.

Like Chef said it takes practice and you will waste some wire on the way...I would start with 26g cores and 34g outer wrap..it makes it easier to spot issues and get acquainted with the process faster, then move on up the gauges. I found 34N80 to be easy starting and jumped to 36g then 38g and couldnt get 40g to wrap until this morning...In time you'll get it, just dont quit trying. I quit for 2 months as I kept getting frustrated and tried again one day and got it...now only if I kept trying and didnt waste 2 months I could of been practicing it...

 

[Rhett1977]

Oh ok. I've been using 40 for my outer wrap. I need to order some more wire anyway. I'll get some 34 too. Thank y'all again.

 

[raymo2u]

Oh ok. I've been using 40 for my outer wrap. I need to order some more wire anyway. I'll get some 34 too. Thank y'all again.

Yea I wouldnt start with 40...I would start with 34g or 36g...much easier to work with for your first time...

 

[Rhett1977]

Ok. I just kept seeing everyone say 40 gauge so that's what I was using. I should've asked but didn't.

 

[raymo2u]

Ok. I just kept seeing everyone say 40 gauge so that's what I was using. I should've asked but didn't.

Yea thats a stepping stone some of us are happy to get up on....Its always better to build up to something then to get frustrated over and over trying to get something even harder to accomplish done first

 

[Mythical_OD]

Can you do dual core instead of triple and still have the wrap line up right? Or is there some math to having the waves only lining up with 3x the size of the original core?

 

[raymo2u]

Can you do dual core instead of triple and still have the wrap line up right? Or is there some math to having the waves only lining up with 3x the size of the original core?

Dual core vs Triple here
2 x 26N80/40N80 Aliens
3 x 28N80/38N80 Aliens

 

[Mythical_OD]

Word, thanks. Ill try dual core next time. Its too much for my noobish skills to try and keep the wire taught enough while trying to keep the cores laid straight without turning into a pyramid

 

[CrazyChef]

couldnt get 40g to wrap until this morning...

You need to give your lead wire a little bit more of an angle with 40 gauge than with lower gauges for some reason. I don't know the physics behind it, but it works.

That's another thing, @Rhett1977 - when applying you de-cored Clapton, don't keep it perpendicular with your cores - lead it about 5° forward.

Can you do dual core instead of triple and still have the wrap line up right?

You can, and it's easier for some people, but if your core wires are aligned correctly and taut, you really shouldn't see much of a difference.

 

[Rhett1977]

Thank you chef!!! And Raymo!!!! I'm gonna get this dragon whooped

 

[CrazyChef]

 

[CrazyChef]

Pretty soon you'll be doing stuff like this: