Re: [TCML] Sonotube Preparation

[DC Cox <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If the intertior is sealed, then not usually a problem.

The Sonotubes are designed with a "release agent" on the interior of the
tube.  They soak up water slowly from the concrete which then causes the
tube to unravel thus making for almost automatic removal of the concrete
form.

It's always best to remove it is possible, and then seal with AC-43 or
equivalent.  The idea is to prevent moisture from slowly being absorbed by
the inner coating which may cause the tube to begin unraveling as it is
designed to do when used in concrete form applications.

The idea of anything "slowly soaking up moisture" is unsettling to me.
Better to remove and reseal to eliminate the potential for later problems.

Dr. Resonance




On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 9:55 PM, Steve Ward <steve.ward@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Well, i can say that i never removed it on any of my sonotube forms.  Is
> there any reason TO remove the inner layer?  It usually seems to be wax or
> plastic film coated, i took this to be a *good thing*.
>
> Steve
>
> On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 1:05 AM, Jim Mora <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Hi Steve,
> >
> > I plan to wind a 22 or 24" sonotube in the future. I remember reading
> that
> > the interior wrap is also removed. If you are confident with not doing
> that
> > it sure would save some work!
> >
> > Jim Mora
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf
> > Of Steve Ward
> > Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 3:15 PM
> > To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [TCML] Sonotube Preparation
> >
> > Tyler,
> >
> > Having wound many coils on sono-tube, here is my method.
> >
> > 1) make sure the tube has been in a fairly dry place for awhile, if its
> > soggy, throw it out and buy a new one ;-).
> >
> > 2) remove the outer layer of waxy paper with all the black ink printed on
> > it.  Usually this will peel off carefully, if you are not so lucky you
> can
> > use an orbital sander to rip it all off.
> >
> > 3) give the rough cardboard form a nice heavy coat of polyurethane
> varnish,
> > the cardboard will soak it up real nice.
> >
> > 4) after the varnish dries, give it a little wipe down to remove any
> large
> > pieces of dust or anything, and wind the coil.
> >
> > 5) i give my coils 1 coat of varnish right after its done.  I let this
> dry
> > overnight, and the next day apply a good coat of pour-on epoxy (or more
> > coats of varnish if you like).
> >
> > My sonotube coils have no problem hurling 10-12 foot sparks (4' tube).
> >  They
> > are nice and light weight, but they can be fragile.  I beef mine up with
> > some internal baffles cut out of 3/8" plywood.  They are just a snug
> > friction fit inside the tube, i use 2 baffles total (plus the 2 end caps,
> > also plywood).
> >
> > Steve Ward
> >
> > On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Tyler Pauly <rpggod714@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Hello all,
> > >
> > > First, sorry for the previous message.  I must not know how to use
> yahoo
> > > mail....
> > >
> > > Anyways, I am getting ready to coat a 12" sonotube with some helmsman
> > spar
> > > varnish, but I'd like to get a general idea of how everyone else
> prepares
> > > their tube.
> > >
> > > I looked through the archives, but no one seemed to mention that theirs
> > had
> > > a wax coating on the inside.
> > >
> > > Regardless, I'm not sure what to do with it.  I don't believe the
> varnish
> > > will stick to it, but I fear pulling out the waxed layer will weaken
> the
> > > integrity of the form.
> > >
> > > Also, it has red and blue lettering on the outside.  Do I really need
> to
> > > sand off the outer layer of the sonotube because of this?  Maybe I'm
> > > paranoid, but it seems like this could weaken it as well.
> > >
> > > I appreciate any suggestions or recommendations!
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tyler
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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