Coil building station

[Nate Rager]

I am working on putting together my coiling area. This has become a hobby that I am investing a lot of my free time (and paychecks) into and want to make some of it easier to do so that I can spend more time on the fun parts.

I purchased a micro tool kit off of Amazon for about 20 bucks shipped. Has some precision screw drivers, cutters, and pliers. A good set for the money and has served me well.

I also saw a post (can't find the thread again, if you know it please link to it) that the op suggested some tools usually used in fly tying like a fly vice. I'll be getting one of those as well along with a magnifying light for tiny detail coil work.

The part about making coils that I really really really do not enjoy is unspooling a little bit of wire. I always end up having to take off more than I need so that I can lock the spool back into its wheel. Even then a lot of times the whole thing Springs out of control and I have 10+ feet of wire to gently spool back on without kinking it.

What i want to find is a dispenser of sorts. Something I can slide the wheels of wire onto and will allow me to easily, quickly, and cleanly take as little or as much wire as I want. There has to be something like this. I've searched for tools for piano makers, guitar wire, fishing supplies,... No luck. Any ideas?

I'll post my coiling station pics here once I get it going.

 

[Nate Rager]

I'm wondering if maybe something like this would work... APF Marine Fluorocarbon Leader Spool Holder Dispenser Organizer fishing wire:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors

Or maybe this.. But this would waste a lot of tinsel.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009S...sr_1_11&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-11&tag=e04ed-20

I'm thinking out loud here so to speak..

 

[wheelie]

I build my own archery strings. A string server would likely work. Look them up as I am unsure about putting up a link. Might get my hand slapped again.

 

[Nate Rager]

Something like this? Bohning Serve Tite String Server Tool with .020-Inch Poly Grip:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors

How do you spool that? Kanthal usually comes on the larger wheels. Looks like it could work once the Kanthal was on it. I wonder how that would work for dispensing ribbon wire.

 

[doctadrea]

I build my own archery strings. A string server would likely work. Look them up as I am unsure about putting up a link. Might get my hand slapped again.

This has nothing to do with the OP, but building your own archery strings... awesome.

 

[Nate Rager]

This has nothing to do with the OP, but building your own archery strings... awesome.

#badassery

 

[aly77]

I am working on putting together my coiling area. This has become a hobby that I am investing a lot of my free time (and paychecks) into and want to make some of it easier to do so that I can spend more time on the fun parts.

I purchased a micro tool kit off of Amazon for about 20 bucks shipped. Has some precision screw drivers, cutters, and pliers. A good set for the money and has served me well.

I also saw a post (can't find the thread again, if you know it please link to it) that the op suggested some tools usually used in fly tying like a fly vice. I'll be getting one of those as well along with a magnifying light for tiny detail coil work.

The part about making coils that I really really really do not enjoy is unspooling a little bit of wire. I always end up having to take off more than I need so that I can lock the spool back into its wheel. Even then a lot of times the whole thing Springs out of control and I have 10+ feet of wire to gently spool back on without kinking it.

What i want to find is a dispenser of sorts. Something I can slide the wheels of wire onto and will allow me to easily, quickly, and cleanly take as little or as much wire as I want. There has to be something like this. I've searched for tools for piano makers, guitar wire, fishing supplies,... No luck. Any ideas?

I'll post my coiling station pics here once I get it going.

Are you referring to this post that you saw?
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/bill-s-magic-vapor/5819-bmv-coiler-2-o.html

 

[minitater]

I'm all for gadgets that help make this hobby more fun. I am old and shaky and can still build coils with my hands without mounting posts, jigs, and much else except for nail clippers and some nice tweezers. I do like the fly tying jig idea.

 

[Bimini Twist]

A low tech solution is to cut pencil eraser block down to size to fit into the spool. And if you're using microcoils, you might want to add the Artistic Wire Coil gizmo to the station.

Here's a video showing both in action by super_X_drifter, the guy who created the trend in microcoils.

(Since using this method, we've discovered that there is no need to torch the wire.)

And a link to the Gizmo
Amazon.com: Artistic Wire Coiling Gizmo(R) Deluxe Winder for Jewelry Making: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

 

[Myk]

You could make something easy enough. If you're not handy with metal wood would work. A U along the lines of the server with a hole drilled in it for the wire and a bolt for the axle.

 

[oplholik]

I use erasers that I cut to size from WalMart as suggested above to keep the wire from unspooling.

 

[tobarger]

I put one elastic hair band over the wire on all my wire spools (its a keeper)
It is adjustable and keeps the whole spool from uncoiling (total PITA)
Tie a small loop knot in the band before putting it on the spool (makes it easy to grab and adjust)

 

[Elendil]

And a link to the Gizmo
Amazon.com: Artistic Wire Coiling Gizmo(R) Deluxe Winder for Jewelry Making: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Just bought one of these. I've built 25 coils and none of them have worked. I'm getting tired of my coils looking like I was having a seizure while drunk when winding them.

 

[oplholik]

The Gizmo is all I use now. No problems, and a nice tight coil.

 

[tobarger]

Here is the Coil Jig I use (I'm Sure Its "Very Nice")

Has three posts:
1/16 - 0.0625(in) - 1.5875mm
3/32 - 0.0938(in) - 2.3813mm
1/8 - 0.1250(in) - 3.1750mm

The two plastic thumb screws really make this coil jig a joy to use
Haven't seen this feature on any of the other jigs

https://www.facebook.com/KKVapetek

 

[Wickeddeuce]

Just bought one of these. I've built 25 coils and none of them have worked. I'm getting tired of my coils looking like I was having a seizure while drunk when winding them.

ok if you want to do this, and really get it done, i am sorry to say but you should probably ditch the jigs... dont get me wrong jigs are great and work well... but getting used to doing it by hand first (if you are able i respect that some people, not saying you are, but some are unable to) helps to get a better idea. Now if you have a mini screwdriver that is one of the best things to build on, it will help you keep your wraps tight...

another option available is my personal favorite, once you have built a few by hand that is, is to use a drill bit the size you like, catch the wire in the clamps, then slowly pulse the drill while keeping a tight pull on the wire... this will wrap tighter than you could imagine, with nothing but ease...

again... building by hand is a good idea... and another easy method is to pulse your coils (as long as its safe) and squeeze the coil with your tweezers to get it nice and tight and even, then fire again, squeeze, repeat... just be careful not to apply too much pressure...

i hope i have helped...