Author Topic: Toroid winding tool  (Read 3404 times)

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Offline lighthunter

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Toroid winding tool
« on: January 15, 2017, 11:22:17 am »
Hi all!  I spent a bit of internet time looking for a simple build toroid winder.
Lots of stuff on you tube and other places but all required more than I wanted
to invest in time and materials. I tried a plastic broom handle with a half spool
on each end which worked but just wanted something better.

Here it is...  one coil of PEX and some superglue.

I used a util knife to cut the slot and make the joining tab but there
are other cutting tools, just be safe with whatever you use. 3/4" pex will hold
100 feet of 14awg easily, maybe 1/2" would have been better.

I know many of you who have done this probably enjoyed it, I found it as frustrating.
as picking cockel burs from sheep wool :o

Have fun  :) LH
Health Warning: May contain traces of nut!
LH

Offline frackers

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Re: Toroid winding tool
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2017, 07:42:20 pm »
I took a similar approach using a bicycle wheel. Here it is in action with the mylar
https://youtu.be/RbuXQ005wE8

and again with 1.8mm enamelled copper wire which is a bit of a struggle
https://youtu.be/kYtudDVucUo

A couple of practical items to note:
  • a red marker to allow counting the number of turns going onto the winder
  • duct tape to ensure there are no sharp edges damaging enamel insulation and to 'close the gap' once its threaded through the torroid

Worked well for me - no joins within the torroid and long tails on the winding so easy connection.
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)

Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Toroid winding tool
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2017, 03:20:06 am »
I know many of you who have done this probably enjoyed it, I found it as frustrating as picking cockel burs from sheep wool :o

Winding a toroid? Enjoyable? I figure there's many a 'tronics nut that's, well, exactly that, nuts... but that's a stretch even for the sickest amongst us LOL  :P

Cool deal if it works tho... Anything that reduces the PITA factor of winding a toroid can't be anything but a good thing...

Got one that ran thru the shrink ray by chance? Or know someone with a working grow ray to put the core and wire in beforehand? ;D
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Offline lighthunter

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Re: Toroid winding tool
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2017, 10:35:48 pm »
Frackers, Thanks for posting your video links! I love the table with slot!! supporting those monsters can be tiring :(    Do you use mylar between every layer or just between windings?

Steve! shrink ray! now thats a novel idea! Outside the box thinking is something I'm not good at. It takes me staring at the inside for days before i venture out. Good humor yet it amazes me how some of the wildest ideas actually become reality years later. For example, the EM Drive engine is now being tested by the chinese in outer space. I understand it creates thrust like a rocket engine by a direct conversion of electricity to thrust using an unbalanced wave guide. Maybe we'll be going to work in a "warp drive" one day ;D.

Cheers
Health Warning: May contain traces of nut!
LH

Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Toroid winding tool
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2017, 02:35:29 am »
LOL Especially if the friggin thing winds it's own toroids  ;) ;D
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Offline eidolon

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Re: Toroid winding tool
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2017, 09:12:11 am »
Great idea. Finally something to do with that PEX tubing that won't straighten out. I'll try cutting the notch with thin cutoff wheel on a grinder.