[Boatanchors] Off Topic: Leyden Jars

[Al Parker]

Hi Ron,
    Electrical contractors use a paste for electrically bonding aluminum
conduit together, and a similar paste when using aluminum wire (which is
rarely used nowadays, due to connection problems).  One exception to the
wire/cable is the electrical power utilities - they use aluminum cable in
high voltage distribution lines.  The paste used for the wire or cable
seems "thinner" to me, so might be easier to use between sheets of foil.
I think you'd have a hard time trying to solder aluminum foil, the flux
used must break down the oxide film, which isn't much thinner than the
foil itself.  Try to get a tube of that paste from an electrical supply
house, I don't remember a trade name for it, sorry.
    I spent my past life in the aluminum industry as a plant & project
engineer.  I hope it'll continue to fund my retirement.
73,
Al, W8UT
New Bern, NC
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Hunsicker" <ronhunsi@ptd.net>
To: "boatanchors" <boatanchors@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 7:49 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Off Topic: Leyden Jars


> Ladies and Gentlemen:
>
>
> I'm building a Leyden jar using good old Alcoa aluminum foil for the
plates.
>
> What's a simple way to bond sheets of aluminum foil together
electrically?
>
> I thought that Shoe Goo will be adequate to attach the foil to the sides
> of the garbage pail (Did I mention that the core of the jar is a typical
> residential trash can?).
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ron Hunsicker