[quote author="NewYorkDave"]That reminds me: I received the new Stew-Mac catalog yesterday, and was intrigued by this neat little coil winder:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Electronics/Schatten_Pickup_Winder.html
They also sell magnets, bobbins and #42 magnet wire for making your own pickups.[/quote]
Jeez! Only $349 :grin: :grin: :grin:
I was winding trafos with my milling machine--made a counter out the old calculator, I picked in thrift store for 3 bucks, and connected (=) to reed switch. The calculator had carbon traces, so I tracked where they go into processor and soldered there. This calculator has an automatic (=) or (-) keys, so I don't need to enter every time +1--just hit 1. It also has a printing function, so I even don't have to write turns.
For the same $349 you can get a lathe--it seems that it will be even easier to use it as a winder than mill. These modern guys have very nice speed control and can go as low as less than 1 turn per second. Make a pedal with a pot, attach it to speed control board, and you are ready to go.
