Return-Path: Received: (qmail 69335 invoked from network); 11 Nov 2004 00:00:40 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ptb-spamcore02.plus.net) (192.168.71.3) by ptb-mailstore01.plus.net with SMTP; 11 Nov 2004 00:00:40 -0000 Received: from mailnull by ptb-spamcore02.plus.net with spamcore-l-b (Exim 4.32; FreeBSD) id 1CS2MP-000MOT-NW for dave@picks.force9.co.uk; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:58:46 +0000 Received: from [192.168.67.2] (helo=ptb-mxcore02.plus.net) by ptb-spamcore02.plus.net with esmtp (Exim 4.32; FreeBSD) id 1CS2MP-000MOK-I7 for dave@picks.force9.co.uk; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:58:45 +0000 Received: from post.thorcom.com ([193.82.116.20]) by ptb-mxcore02.plus.net with esmtp (Exim) id 1CS2OE-0001Ix-UJ for dave@picks.force9.co.uk; Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:00:39 +0000 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.14) id 1CS2Mt-0008VJ-KU for rs_out_1@blacksheep.org; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:59:15 +0000 Received: from [193.82.116.30] (helo=relay.thorcom.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.14) id 1CS2Mt-0008VA-8L for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:59:15 +0000 Received: from imo-d20.mx.aol.com ([205.188.139.136]) by relay.thorcom.net with esmtp (Exim 4.41) id 1CS2Mm-0000oT-LS for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:59:15 +0000 Received: from G4gvw@aol.com by imo-d20.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v37_r3.8.) id l.be.1b8f73f4 (4004) for ; Wed, 10 Nov 2004 18:58:57 -0500 (EST) From: G4gvw@aol.com Message-ID: Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 18:58:57 EST To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: 9.0 SE for Windows sub 5003 X-SPF-Result: relay.thorcom.net: domain of aol.com designates 205.188.139.136 as permitted sender X-Spam-Score: 0.8 (/) X-Spam-Report: autolearn=no,HTML_20_30=0.474,HTML_MESSAGE=0.001,NO_REAL_NAME=0.285,TW_GV=0.077 Subject: Re: LF: Re: Wood formers Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 2.63 (2004-01-11) on post.thorcom.com X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.8 required=5.0 tests=HTML_20_30,HTML_MESSAGE, NO_REAL_NAME autolearn=no version=2.63 X-SA-Exim-Scanned: Yes Sender: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group X-SA-Exim-Rcpt-To: rs_out_1@blacksheep.org X-SA-Exim-Scanned: No; SAEximRunCond expanded to false X-Spam-Filtered: by PlusNet SpamCORE (v3.00) Content-transfer-encoding: 8bit

I wonder if perhaps it should be a "golden rule" when using rod type formers that whatever insulating material is involved the structure should be a tube rather than a rod. For most practical purposes tubes will be almost as rigid as rods but will be lighter in weight and by definition less dense than solid rods. Even better with "basket-weave" coils might be schemes which allowed a suitable adhesive to hold the turns in place and the former rods to be withdrawn. As a further contribution, how about the use of glass which may be obtained from specialist suppliers. It's possible that someone whose hobby is glassblowing and glass sculpting might be persuaded to produce bespoke formers also.

73 de Pat g4gvw