One tool that I am going to make pretty soon once I get some time, is a tool to aid in wrapping tight uniform
coils.
It's basically a handle of whatever material (I'll probably use wood or plastic) with a stiff metal rod/needle coming out the center. I was thinking of having a threaded portion where the needle attaches so that you could attach the various needle sizes for syringes to change the diameter if you wish.
Then next to the needle will be a little block for holding down your wire. This way you can get the leg perfectly straight on the first try, since if you try to hold the wire down with your thumb, your thumb sticks out too far to get the wraps and leg perfectly parallel.
This would work great for several different coiling methods:
First of all, I use hollow mesh wicks, so you can simply slide the mesh wick down over the needle, secure your wire to the block, and wrap a perfectly coil without any effort.
Ekowool, being hollow, could slide down over the needle and get wrapped just like the mesh wick. I already use a needle inside my ekowool as well, and it works great, but having everything solid and attached instead of being held together with my hands would make it easier.
Micro
coils, or any type of coil where you make the coil and later insert the wick, could also be made with this tool by using the proper sized needle.
I drew up a quick and crappy MS paint diagram to illustrate the general idea of what this tool would look like. It's nothing new or major, just basically what we have already been doing (using various dies like needles, drill bits, or nails) but improved a bit to make it less of a hassle. Trying to squeeze a thin piece of wire tightly against a wick, while pulling the other end of that wire tightly without either letting go of the wire, or having your fingers get in the way is the main hassle for me when it comes to wrapping
coils.
A tool like this would make it infinitely simpler to wrap coils, for me at least. I put enough attention into my coils that the finished product is pretty much perfect with tight uniform coils, but this would cut down on the time and effort required to get to that point dramatically. Basically it all boils down to not having to hold your wire and your wick tight with the same hand, just hold the wrapping tool in your left hand, and the other end of the wire in your right hand, and you can wrap a coil will less hassle and more control.
