Re: [ATM] Mel's wire spider

[Dave Smith <smithersscope@yahoo.com>]

Hi Rod,
I would agree with Mel's comment to beware of
stretching wire. We routinely use nichrome wire in our
gel electrophoresis boxes in the lab. In my experience
it doesn't stretch visibly in our application, but it
is VERY unforgiving with respect to kinks. It'll kink,
break and let you down in a heartbeat. On another
note, I struggled with slippage quite a bit in my
first and second iterations with my wire spider (also
patterned directly after Mel's). I learned that I had
to secure the wire at every point where the wire meets
the scope. I think on Mel's images on his site that
you can see that he used panhead screws to secure it
at each pass by the hub. I simply looped my wire at
each intersection with either the hub or the hardware
on my endring. This successfully eliminated the
slippage I was experiencing. 
Good luck and keep us posted!
dave

--- Rod Brackenridge <rjbr@lycos.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> I am making a spider based on Mel's design - single
> wire and crossed over approach. I have threaded it
> together a few times and it all looks fine after it
> comes off the jig but when I give the hub a slight
> twist to test the spider, the wire immediately comes
> loose. 
> 
> I am using bicycle spokes for tensioners at the six
> anchor points and I don't think they are coming
> loose.  The wire is called "Nichrome" resistance
> wire.  


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