Shopsmith Forums

A lotta 'mis' information above, but it leads one to a safer experience albeit some of it is unnecessary.

The GFI will not trip because of secondary(high voltage) current passing through one's body(the potentially lethal part).

The high voltage being 'AC' is less hazardous that if it were steady state "DC". since the current is self reversing. Still a very considerable risk.

By comparison a capacitive discharge(crt tubes holds charge due to capacitance and there is a capacitor in micro-waves that all too often 'get' the unwary) does not self reverse thus causing heart stoppage.

The 'pull off' need is caused by involuntary muscle movement that can cause one to more tightly grip that which is causing the shock(point of contact).

Assuming the secondary circuit is independent(isolated) from the primary circuit(power in) there is no additional risk other than that which is normally there.

REGARDLESS This is not recommended for one not totally understanding all the risks and their source.

The energy available from a spark plug wire is quite small compared to a microwave transformer and exceedingly small compared to a neon lighting transformer.


Adhere to the thread title!!!!!

Things to remember if you are going to try this. A mixture of baking soda and water is applied to INCREASE conductivity. That also implies wood can conduct electricity. Make sure to isolate your work on a NON-CONDUCTIVE surface! (Rubberized) (or fiberglass)

Well, i couldn't resist, i ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Tools-and- ... =328182011
The good news is, if i get zapped, my funeral is free!!!

Here are a couple more videos, of this method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X6qSRZQgtI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqLrUlAKZFs

steve

Stephen Ogle has a great channel. Lots of great turning tips t be found there.

I've gone ahead and made the plunge and have a microwave transformer on order, it could get here as early as Friday or more likely a few days later. I'm looking forward to playing with it.

I was in for pre-op blood work and EKG yesterday, Friday I see the Dr to make sure I'm healthy enough for a minor procedure on Tuesday. Just in and out if everything goes well, then depending on the need for pain killers and some restrictions for the following 2 weeks it could be a while before I'm burning wood. If I can take the pain without the pills I actually could be back in the shop the day after.... I don't like pain pills but then I'm not a fan of a lot of pain either so we will have to see how this goes. Only a five day supply so that means after at most 5 days I can return to light shop work.

I have a pretty good idea of the design already so the actual build should go pretty fast. I'd like to get some 10KV wire, would like to use the old spark plug wires before they went to all that suppression stuff they now use. Will see if a parts store still cares the old style stuff. Will also stop at Sam's Club for another cutting board or two.

BTW I was watching a few more videos on the subject and spotted the leg of a shopsmith in one of them. If I can find it again I'll post the link.

Ed

Digikey has a good selection of high-voltage hookup wire.

BuckeyeDennis wrote:Digikey has a good selection of high-voltage hookup wire.

If I were still working at the labs I would order 100 feet of it and pay the $400+ but I'm not there any more. I was thinking more like 10 feet or 20 feet, still maybe best getting spark plug wire if I can find the low resistance type with out suppression, some body must still use that stuff for a drag racer or older car.

Ed

reible wrote:

BuckeyeDennis wrote:Digikey has a good selection of high-voltage hookup wire.

If I were still working at the labs I would order 100 feet of it and pay the $400+ but I'm not there any more. I was thinking more like 10 feet or 20 feet, still maybe best getting spark plug wire if I can find the low resistance type with out suppression, some body must still use that stuff for a drag racer or older car.

Ed

I had them sorted by price, but the sort order must not have stuck. I was thinking 50 feet of 10kV 18AWG for $26.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/737852 (red)
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/737851 (black)