[Lowfer] Vacuum Var C Results

[Eric KD5UWL]

Hi, Mike,

> Go buy some of that self-fusing rubber tape at Home Depot for less than 2
> bucks. It will never fall off and it's waterproof if applied properly not to
> mention the high voltage insulation capabilities. It takes a good pair of
> cutters to get it off as the layers soon turn to one piece of flexible
> rubber.

I like this tape, too.  My experience with it, though, has shown that it 
hardens and crumbles over time outdoors unless protected.  One good way to 
protect it is this:

Using 2" black electrical tape, provide an overwrap to your rubber tape 
job.  Before cutting the electrical tape, make a tool from a very large 
zip tie by folding the zip tie over so that the ends lay against each 
other.  Run a few wraps of 3/4" electrical tape around the ends.  Now you 
have a handle (at the ends) and a loop at the other end.  You loopers 
should like that part :)

Lay the zip tie over your work, perpendicular to the direction you are 
winding the 2" tape.  Now wind at least three more wraps of the 2" tape 
around your work which will now cover part of this zip tie tool.

On the last wrap, cut the tape and feed the end through the loop.  Then 
yank the tool out of the work area.  This will pull the end of the 
electical tape under and through its final wraps.  Now the electrical tape 
will NOT come undone (as it likes to do) and your rubber tape will be 
protected.

I like to finish this off with a coating of Skotch-Kote.  Do NOT get this 
stuff on your skin...read the label...it will do bad things to you.

73
Eric