Coiling Nichrome

[elogicca]

How should i go about coiling nichrome wire? i have a spool and need to coil it.... can i simply coil it on a bar on my lathe?

[drcrash]

How should i go about coiling nichrome wire? i have a spool and need to coil it.... can i simply coil it on a bar on my lathe?

Is it worth the trouble? Coiled nichrome is pretty cheap at www.infraredheaters.com. ($30 for enough to make 3 2 x 2 foot vacuum former ovens, IIRC.)

If the money is an issue, you might look at Thurston James's book The Prop Builder's Molding and Casting Handbook. I think it has instructions for coiling nichrome wire, using a variable-speed electric drill, but I forget the details.

[Eurisko]

I used a 3/8-16 threaded rod, approximately 3 ft long to coil some Kanthal wire.

Cut a notch on one end of the rod to hold the wire.
Wrap a couple turns of wire by hand to get it started.

Chuck the other end of the rod in a cordless drill/driver.
Keep the wire taut, use low rpm and the wire will coil around the thread form.

It's not easy, but it gives good results.