From the bottom up

The original plans from Teslastuff.com show how to construct the base from circular pine sheet and uprights made from pvc pipe. I decided to carry on with my perspex theme so all the components will be visible but still enclosed. I purchased a hefty piece of 15mm thick 50cm by 50cm clear perspex from Trent Plastics which should give me enough room to mount the Neon Transformer, Terry filter and line filter plus a terminal block for line in from the variac. Other components would be mounted on a second level. To allow the whole thing to be easily moved I fitted good quality castors. I could have drilled and threaded some holes to fit them but decided to try some threaded brass inserts that are hammered in to 8mm holes and have an M6 internal thread. Here's a pic of the perspex base, its still covered in the protective plastic and a full coat of masking tape.

Here is one of the 16 brass inserts used to fit the castors. It's a bit easier using these than having to drill and tap 16 holes. They produce a very strong fitting as when the bolt is inserted they expand into the drilled hole.



Here's one of the castors fitted, should make moving the Tesla coil a little easier.

There is plenty of space for the Neon Transformer, Terry filter and line filter. Both filters will be mounted on perspex bases partly for look and partly to allow easy removal of any single component.

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