Post script.
As an experiment, could solid bar be used in place of multiple rods?
There's a firm in the UK that sells pure Iron to the Blacksmith trade. Max diameter of 30 mm.
Dear Grum Cook points out that the finer the wire for the core, the better, probably to reduce eddy currents which were also probably not well understood at that time. Discovered probably by empirical observation (Eureka! the unit made from fine iron wire does not get as hot in operation as the one made with a iron bar and also puts out more useful energy!) I'm betting cook used ordinary iron annealed baling wire or soft iron music wire commonly available at that time so no high purity required, but would be an upgrade. I'm guessing around 0.062 dia for the rods would suffice, 2 to 3" packed dia. by 3 to 4 ' lengths. Also note that thermocouple grade iron wire type "JP" is 99.9+ purity, (see attached chart) and is also quite inexpensive @ $26 per kilo or less. https://ualloy.en.made-in-china.com/product/oBlxrDRjnCWi/China-Pure-Iron-Thermocouple-Bare-Wire.htmlEven from China this wire must meet all certs or temperature measurement using it would be in large error. I'm sure it can also be had from US suppliers at low cost, as it is not considered valuable and rarely worth salvaging for scrap. If you buy the thermocouple pair "J" wire, you get one Iron "JP" and one Constantan "JN", the Constantan being useful for Celani experiments.....serendipity! We need not look to anything exotic here considering the period of it's availability. "JP" Iron is "positive" thermoelement "JP" Constantan is "negative" thermoelement Together they form a type "J" thermocouple for temperature measurement. Regards
« Last Edit: 2018-12-10, 18:53:55 by ion »
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