Build An Amazing Tesla CD Turbine PDF

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Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine

by mrfixits on October 22, 2007
Table of Contents
Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intro: Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 1: Materials and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 2: Design an Inlet Nozzle for the CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 3: Fit the CD Turbine Nozzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 4: Join a Tube from the Nozzle Into the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 5: Finish Nozzle and Attach PVC Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step 6: Prepare the CD Spindle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 7: Assemble The CD Disc Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 8: Assemble The CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 9: Fun Things To Do With The Basic Tesla CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 10: How Fast Can It Go? ...and A Safety Reminder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Step 11: Cool CD Turbine Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-an-Amazing-Tesla-CD-Turbine/
Author:mrfixits Mrfixitricks Youtube Channel

I am re-inventing myself as an inventor, after too many years as a mechanic!
I enjoy learning from Tesla Turbines, magnetic motors, and Crystal Quantum Radios.
"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up." - Picasso
Intro: Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine

Build a real working turbine from recycled CD's!
This Tesla CD Turbine is based on the Tesla turbine, which was invented by Nikola Tesla in the early 1900's.
Tesla's pumps and motors were unique in that they only used discs, and took advantage of the boundary layer effect. His smallest designs were over 100 horsepower.
This Instructable is an introduction to my recently developed Tesla CD Turbine, which is made from CD's, CD spindle, pipe fittings and glue. This easy beginners version
runs on garden hose pressure and is fun for demonstration or experimentation purposes. This same CD Turbine can also be powerful, versatile, useful and dangerous
when used with compressed air pressure.
The basic model Tesla CD Turbine shows how the boundary layer idea works to deliver power. The CD Turbine has unique design features such as no moving shaft, no
bearings, no seals and uses recycled CD's. It is so frictionless that it can go over 500 rpm just by blowing into it hard!
The advanced model has many cool features, such as the use of neodymium magnets to separate the CD's with the correct gap and a Magnetic Coupler to attach
implements, and much more.
My next CD Turbine Instructable shows how to make a Magnetic Disc Pack and Magnetic Coupler for more advanced CD Turbine experimentation. I will develop
magnetically-coupled implements that will range from the practical (Generator, SaladSpinner, etc.) to the bizarre ( Skilsaw Blade , Punch Bowl Stirrer, etc).
However, please be forewarned that this turbine on air pressure is not really a kid's toy or particularly safe to operate.
On water pressure it is safe from explosion, maxing out at about 1000 rpm.
The turbine can be run on either water and air pressure without modification. Although this simple turbine can be safely run at one or two thousand rpm on water hose
pressure, it can turn tens of thousands of rpm on air pressure.
I must warn you running this turbine on air pressure could be enough to explode the CD's in the turbine and cause injury. To prevent this, regulate the air supply to lower
the psi and use a digital tachometer like this one.
If this unit is run on air pressure, precautions must be taken such as protective gear (heavy leather gloves, face shield, helmet, leather jacket & pants, cup(?), etc.), as
well as being behind a protective barrier. If the CD Turbine comes apart at 25,000 rpm, sharp CD parts will be impelled literally at the speed of a gun. You are
forewarned!
I will be discussing ways to avoid any possible unpleasantness as we go along in these Instructables, but for now...let's have some FUN!
Image Notes
1. CD Turbine Case; Showing empty CD Spindle and CD Cover; ready to accept
any of the CD Disc Packs below.
2. Fluid Inlet Pipe
3. Magnetic Disc Pack. Uses neodymium magnets between discs. This Disc Pack
makes magnetic connection to the Magnetic Coupler, which is external to the CD
Case. The Magnetic Disc Pack allows useful work to be done by the CD Turbine,
through the magnetic coupling.
4. Double-CD discs experiment. Two discs glued back-to-back, (times five), giving
a greater gap between each double-disc.
5. A loose CD's Disc Pack will work to demonstrate simple boundary-layer
rotation with water pressure.
6. CD Disc Pack glued with Methylene Chloride. This pack runs smoother than
Image Notes
1. Nozzle. In this case a Orbit Watermaster Nozzle from Home Depot. Fits 3/4
inch PVC pipe. Other nozzles are available as well.
2. Orbit Watermaster ABS fitting (3/4 inch plastic pipe to garden-hose
connection.)
3. Garden-hose Quick-connect coupling.
4. Basic Tesla CD Turbine, with modified CD Spindle and Cover and CD Disc
Pack. Runs on garden-hose pressure.
5. Garden-hose Shut-off Valve
6. 3/4 inch PVC Pipe, 2 feet long
the loose CD's pack, above.
Step 1: Materials and Tools

MATERIALS LIST: (Total Cost about $10.)
1.) 10 (or more) recycled CD's (no labels & no cracks)
2.) CD Spindle with Cover (recycled)
3.) Orbit WaterMaster Extension Nozzle Model 91129 ( Home Depot, $5.95, or try a $1.80 Nozzle from Holland GreenHouse products.)
4.) 1-1/2 inch of plastic straw or tube to fit small end of Nozzle above
5.) Garden Hose Shut-off Valve ($3.50)
6.) 2 feet or more of 3/4 inch PVC plastic pipe ($.50?)
7.) ABS to PVC cement
8.) PVC Pipe Primer
9.) Methylene Chloride (Plastics Shop), for welding polycarbonate CD Discs to each other.
10.) Hot-glue sticks...less than a half dozen
TOOLS LIST:
Gluegun
Hobbyknife
Dremel Tool (optional)
Sandpaper
Notes: 1.) More than 10 CD's may be used for taller CD spindles.
2.) If you can't find the "Orbit Watermaster Nozzle", you could use any plastic or brass water nozzle, such as the Holland GreenHouse brand Plastic or Brass Power
Nozzle. Or simply use a combination of pipe fittings down to a 1/8 inch nozzle, and adapt with hot-glue to the CD Cover.
Image Notes
1. Orbit Watermaster Walkway Tunnel Kit and Super Sweeper Extension
Nozzle...available at Home Depot. Fits 3/4 or 1 inch PVC. Includes garden-hose
connector.
2. CD Spindle and Spindle Cover
3. Dremel Tool (Lithium-Ion Cordless)
4. Glue Gun...essential for this project!
Image Notes
1. Water quick-connect, goes to Garden Hose
2. Air chuck to a brass garden-hose connector. For serious experimenters
only!
3. Garden-hose Shut-off Valve
5. Heavy-duty hot-glue sticks (4-6 should do.)

6. Assorted CD's to recycle. Don't use ones with paper labels, or that are cracked.
7. Fittings to connect to garden-hose
8. Garden-hose Shut-off Valve.
9. Missing from photo is a 24 inch piece of 3/4 inch PVC pipe.
Image Notes
1. Best nozzle....Holland GreenHouse Plastic Power Nozzle ...just $1.29, too!
Step 2: Design an Inlet Nozzle for the CD Turbine

This is where the rocket scientist in you comes out...what size, shape and angle inlet nozzle should the CD Turbine have? There will be many theories, but the facts are...
WHATEVER WORKS!
I have tried several different types and materials...they all worked. There's room for experimentation here. You just need to taper down to about a 1/8 inch hole into the
side of the CD case with pipe fittings, or plastic pipe, then hot-glue it all in. ( Pictures in following step.)
I used an Orbit WaterMaster Extension Nozzle Model 91129 from Home Depot for the Tesla CD Turbine II nozzle. The Orbit Nozzle has an advantage of being able to
use a long 3/4 inch PVC or ABS pipe with the included fittings. One fitting is a tapered nozzle, and was originally used for burrowing under concrete sidewalks with water
pressure. The other fitting connects easily to the garden-hose Shut-off Valve. A 2' piece(or longer) of PVC connects the two Orbit fittings.
Note: Brass fittings and copper pipe could be used for more of a steampunk look.(future instructable!)
A Later Note: My newer instructable makes the nozzle install process much easier!
Image Notes
1. Orbit Watermaster Nozzle with initial gluing.
2. CD Spindle Cover
Image Notes
1. Nozzle big end of this nozzle fits 3/4 inch PVC pipe. Small end of tapered
nozzle gets a short extension to go through into CD Case.
2. 3/4 inch Pvc pipe to GardenHose connector.
Image Notes
1. Best nozzle....Holland GreenHouse Plastic Power Nozzle ...just $1.29, too!
Image Notes
1. Orifice created by cutting the Extender Tube flush with wall of the Cd Case.
Image Notes
1. Orbit Watermaster Nozzle (or equivalent water nozzle)
2. CD Case Cover
Image Notes
1. Cutting 2 slots to make a rectangular hole for the Nozzle Extension Tube.
Step 3: Fit the CD Turbine Nozzle

Ok let's get started by fitting the Nozzle and its Extender Tube to the CD Case.
Cut the smaller nozzle end of the Orbit Watermaster Nozzle at an approximate angle according to the pictures, so that it sits closer to the CD Case when gluing. Start the
hot-gluing by putting a dab on the side of the CD Case and sticking on the Nozzle right away. Keep hot-gluing around the Nozzle, letting things cool a bit as you go, but
keep the Nozzle lined up as far as angle and direction, similar to pictures. Leave the area directly in front of the Nozzle free of glue, so that you can cut out the Case to fit
an extender tube from the Nozzle into the Case. (See pics.)
A Later Note: My newer instructable makes this nozzle install process much easier!
Step 4: Join a Tube from the Nozzle Into the Case

We need to be able to connect the small hole in the Nozzle into the inside of the Case. Cut a small (1-1/2 inch long) piece tubing that fits the inside of the Nozzle. Cut two
slots about 1 inch long into the case in front of the Nozzle. Make them about 1/4 inch apart. (see Pics) Cut at each end of the slots to form a rectangular hole. This hole
will accept the extension tube and allow it to go inside the case. Insert extension tube into both Nozzle and CD Case and hot-glue into place. Cut the tube flush with the
inside of the Case when the glue is cooled. You should get something like what the pictures below show.
A Later Note: My newer instructable makes the nozzle install process much easier!
Image Notes
1. Short length of tubing to connect the Nozzle to the CD Case.
Image Notes
1. Cutting 2 slots to make a rectangular hole for the Nozzle Extension Tube.
Image Notes
1. Orbit Watermaster Nozzle (or equivalent water nozzle)
2. CD Case Cover
Image Notes
1. Nozzle-to-Case Extension Tube hot-glued into place. (continue building-up hotglue around this)
2. Nozzle hot-glued into position.
3. CD Cover
Image Notes
1. Cut off plastic Extension Tube flush with inside of CD Case.
2. CD Case. (inside view)
3. Orbit Watermaster Inlet Nozzle, (or equivalent)
4. Olfa Utility Knife
Image Notes
1. Orifice created by cutting the Extender Tube flush with wall of the Cd Case.
Step 5: Finish Nozzle and Attach PVC Pipe

Continue building up hot-glue until the Nozzle and Nozzle Extension are well secured to the CD Case. There should be no glue on the inside of the Case. The Nozzle
Extension should have been cut flush with the inside of the Case, giving an oblong shape to the nozzle jet opening. The Nozzle should be well supported by the build-up
of glue on the Case by now. Allow the glue to cool.
Now it's time to attach the 2 foot piece of 3/4 inch PVC pipe. Sand each end of the pipe to clean it, then use the PVC primer to prep. Add PVC-to-ABS cement to each
fitting and pipe end, and twist together to connect. Let the cement set for an hour minimum. Here's an instructable for more info on cementing PVC.
Attach the Garden Hose Shut-Off fitting to the fitting on the end of the PVC pipe.
The Nozzle and CD Case Cover mods are done!
Image Notes
1. Nozzle-to-Case Extension Tube hot-glued into place. (continue building-up
hot-glue around this)
2. Nozzle hot-glued into position.
3. CD Cover
Image Notes
1. Built-up hot-glue to secure Nozzle.
2. CD Spindle Cover
3. Nozzle. This is the Orbit Watermaster Nozzle. The Holland Water Nozzles
would also adapt.
Image Notes
1. Glue build-up area.
2. Nozzle
3. CD Spindle Cover
Image Notes
1. Nozzle.
2. CD Spindle Cover
3. Hot-glue build-up area.
Image Notes
1. Extension Tube, cut-off flush with wall of CD Spindle Cover.
2. Hot-glue build-up area, on outside of cover.
3. Nozzle.
4. CD Spindle Cover
Image Notes
1. Hot-glue areas were painted to match black.
2. Orbit Watermaster Nozzle
3. 3/4 inch PVC Pipe, 2 feet long.
4. Orbit Watermaster Fitting; 3/4 inch pipe to garden hose female.
5. Garden Hose Shut-off Valve.
6. Quick-connect for garden hose.
7. CD Turbine, complete with CD Disc Pack, prepped Spindle, and modified
Spindle Cover.
Step 6: Prepare the CD Spindle.

Drill holes in the CD Spindle as shown. Clean out the holes of shavings. De-burr and polish spindle post with 400 sandpaper or cleaning pad. If desired, install a half-inch
barbed garden-hose fitting on the bottom outlet of the Spindle post. This allows a garden hose to be connected to the outlet. This works especially well if the CD Spindle
Cover is hot-glued or duct-taped to the bottom lip of the Spindle tray for leak-free operation.
Image Notes
1. CD Spindle Post drilled with 25 1/8 inch holes. Port and polish for best
performance!
2. CD Spindle Tray
Image Notes
1. The outlet is a 1/2 inch barbed male garden hose fitting press-fit into bottom of
CD Spindle.
2. Bottom of CD Spindle
Step 7: Assemble The CD Disc Pack

The CD Disc Pack is the rotating part that is made of CD's. It spins inside the CD Case. There are several options for CD Disc Packs.
The easiest thing to do, is...nothing! That is, just stack the CD's on the spindle post without gluing or using magnets...about 10 CD's in this case. You can use more CD's
if the CD Spindle is taller.
Disc Packs can also be built by simply gluing together discs with a few drops of Methyl Chloride (available at a plastics shop). Methyl Chloride is the solvent glue for CD
Disc polycarbonate-type plastic. Put the glue on the raised ring, which you can feel near the centre of the CD, to bond each CD to the next. The glue sets fast. Try to keep
the Discs centered on the Spindle as they are glued together. A couple of wraps of paper around the Spindle to take up clearance before gluing the discs might help keep
the Disc Pack aligned best.
Let the glue set-up and get ready to assemble and test your Tesla CD Turbine!
Install the recently modified CD Case (with Cover and Nozzle) onto the CD Spindle and Disc Pack. Make sure the Disc Pack spins freely on the Spindle and in the CD
Case. Hook up the water pressure supply, adjust the water pressure with the Shut-Off Valve, and the CD's should start to go around!
The speed of the CD Disc Pack is dependant on the water pressure, controlled by the garden hose shut-off valve. It should be able to go over 1200 rpm on garden-hose
water pressure.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Tesla CD Turbine!
.
Image Notes
1. 10-CD stack, glued together and ready for testing.
Image Notes
2. Fluid Inlet Pipe
5. A loose CD's Disc Pack will work to demonstrate simple boundary-layer rotation
with water pressure.
6. CD Disc Pack glued with Methylene Chloride. This pack runs smoother than the
loose CD's pack, above.
Step 8: Assemble The CD Turbine

Assemble your preferred CD Disc Pack on the CD Spindle, twist on the Spindle Cover and attach a garden hose to the Shut-off Valve (make sure it's closed first).
Gradually adjust the pressure to make the turbine discs rotate. Water will spray out of the bottom part of the CD Cover between Spindle Cover and Spindle. It gets a little
messy, so be prepared.
You can avoid most of the water spray mess by carefully sealing the Spindle Cover to the Spindle with hot-glue. If you need to change the disc pack inside, it can be done
by peeling back the cooled hot-glue, then later re-gluing the cover back on.
Image Notes
Image Notes
1. Hot-glue areas were painted to match black.
2. Orbit Watermaster Nozzle
2. Fluid Inlet Pipe

5. A loose CD's Disc Pack will work to demonstrate simple boundary-layer rotation
with water pressure.
6. CD Disc Pack glued with Methylene Chloride. This pack runs smoother than the
loose CD's pack, above.
3. 3/4 inch PVC Pipe, 2 feet long.

4. Orbit Watermaster Fitting; 3/4 inch pipe to garden hose female.
5. Garden Hose Shut-off Valve.
6. Quick-connect for garden hose.
7. CD Turbine, complete with CD Disc Pack, prepped Spindle, and modified
Spindle Cover.
Step 9: Fun Things To Do With The Basic Tesla CD Turbine
Well now that you built it, what can you do with this basic version of the Tesla CD Turbine?
1.) Put on your favourite old (scratched?) CD on top for the world to see. Call it the Worlds First Turbine-Powered CD Player!
2.) Paint on a Hypno-Disc and watch it intently for a few hours...
3.) Attach a water pressure gage and find out how water pressure affects speed of the discs. Get a digital laser Tach and make a graph of pressure vs RPM. Use the CD
Turbine as a lawn sprinkler at the same time.
4.) Try altering the Nozzle to get better speed. Is it better with smaller or larger diameter nozzle? Flat or round outlet? What angle? E-mail me when you find out!
5.) OK, maybe you find all of the above too boring.
Well then, think of the awesome possibilities when I tell you how to get power out of this same CD Turbine, with a Magnetic Disc Pack and Magnetic Coupler.
Check out new videos in the new SinkScience series showing the CD Turbine in action, running at the kitchen sinkl on water faucet pressure...First movie below, check
for latest at my YouTube/MrfixitRick
Also, check out pics of the awesome new model below; the Steampunk Parlour Room Tabletop version of the CD Turbine.
Also, see a wild CD Turbine-powered Skilsaw in my next Instructable!
Image Notes
1. Magnetic Coupler
2. CD Turbine Outlet
3. Inlet nozzle
4. To faucet water pressure.
Image Notes
1. Basic Kitchen Model CD Turbine with Magnetic Coupler. All set for holiday fun
and magic!
2. Upper magnets inside the CD Turbine.
3. Control Valve and Emergency Shut-off. ( ...like when the Punch Bowl
Attachment fell over.;)
Image Notes
1. 1/2 inch Neodymium Disc magnet, 1/8 inch thickness
2. 3/8 inch Neodymium disc magnets 1/32 inch thickness each
3. Magnetic Disc Pack, to be used in the magnetic version of the CD Turbine in
combination with the Magnetic Coupler. (next Instructable)
Image Notes
2. Fluid Inlet Pipe
5. A loose CD's Disc Pack will work to demonstrate simple boundary-layer
rotation with water pressure.
6. CD Disc Pack glued with Methylene Chloride. This pack runs smoother than
the loose CD's pack, above.
Image Notes
1. CD Case and Magnetic Disc Pack
2. Magnetic Coupler
3. CD Spindle
4. Nozzle
Image Notes
1. 3/8 inch x 1/8 inch neodymium disc magnets
2. Magnetic Coupler for the magnetic Tesla Cd Turbine. (see next Instructable)
Step 10: How Fast Can It Go? ...and A Safety Reminder.

Everyone wants to know how fast it will go...that's natural in our fast-moving world. But keep something in mind...to set speed records with this tiny, but powerful, device
requires a special test zone, preferably not in a populated area!
CD's will explode when over-revved. This includes any RPM over 20,000 rpm. It is unlikely that more than a couple thousand rpm will be achieved by ordinary water
pressure. (1400 rpm was max with my last test on water pressure).
But, again, I must stress that this innocent-looking machine becomes a screaming demon when powered by high air pressure. The CD Turbine, with 120 psi straight air
pressure, will easily exceed 20,000 rpm and will violently explode the CD's in the Disc Pack. Not maybe...it will for sure. Don't use air pressure unless you are completely
aware of this!
I use an air pressure regulator, digital tachometer, and a bullet-proof enclosure for high-rpm air pressure testing. And all the usual self-protection gear for dealing with
sharp shrapnel.
So, be careful, wear protection and have fun!
Oh, by the way, the CD Turbine, with the plain Disc Pack has gone 14,500 rpm on half-throttle compressed air, smooth and safe!, and 11,000 rpm for the Magnetic Disc
Pack. So far, so good!
I'll show more secrets in the next Instructable of the amazing Tesla CD Turbine.
UPDATE: see my latest instructable for lots more CD turbine fun, with the new Kitchen Sink Model.
Image Notes
1. 1/2 inch x 1/8 inch thick neodymium disc magnets
2. 1 inch 1/8 inch teflon Pads
Step 11: Cool CD Turbine Movies

Here's a few of my latest SinkScience videos. I've been having lots of fun, and learning, with the faucet-powered Tesla CD Turbine.
The first video is an overview of the basic faucet-powered CD Turbine and levitating Magnetic Coupler.
The second movie is of some unusual movement of a rotating ball magnet influenced by the turbine.
The third movie is the creation of a beautiful vortex by the magnetic coupler. Enjoy!
Related Instructables
Tesla CD
Turbine With
Scary
Steampunk
Laser
PumpkinCutter
Attachment by
mrfixits
Recycled OffGrid Tesla CD

Turbine PowerBoost Blender
by mrfixits
SinkScience
with the Tesla
CD Turbine by
mrfixits
The Making of
the Prototype
Tesla CD
Turbine (video)
by mrfixits
Create A
Beautiful Vortex
(video) by mrfixits
Tesla Tornado
Christmas Tree
by mrfixits
Comments
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bowmaster says:
Feb 21, 2011. 8:13 AM REPLY

Cool. I have an idea that would use the magnetic coupling to turn a magnetic mixing rod to stir things. You could also use it to turn a blade to make a turbine
powered food processor if the tourque is high anough and would transfer through the magnetic field.
mrfixits says:
Feb 21, 2011. 10:54 AM REPLY
Yep, I've done that!

Tesla Tornado Tube is an example of a magnetically coupled Tesla disc pump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVOYKsUcPO4
The Punch Bowl SuperStirrer is a fun Magnetically-coupled stirrer with a Tesla CD Turbine coupled to a Tesla Pump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3v_1upRdtA
"Blender Bursts on Kitchen Table" is a magnetically-coupled blender experiment.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXo3e58rZ7U
More on that blender...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIWPsckaiCw
There's more on this idea at my SinkScience playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrfixitRick#grid/user/DBEC3A3C414EB39F
bowmaster says:
Feb 21, 2011. 3:33 PM REPLY
Cool. I'm going to try putting a fan on it and use to make wind!!
mrfixits says:
Feb 21, 2011. 4:51 PM REPLY
Did you know there was a Tesla Fan? You could attach one to a Tesla turbine!
Here is a movie someone made of the Tesla Fan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6VUkw_Fg8
bowmaster says:
Feb 21, 2011. 6:14 PM REPLY

Cool, looks kinda weird through. What advantages does it offer over a regular fan? It seems with that small hole not very much air would
blow.
mrfixits says:
Feb 21, 2011. 9:22 PM REPLY

The Tesla Fan should be quiet and push lots of air. The air will come out of the hole in a spiralling cone shape, and would likely move air
farther than ordinary fans because of this.
Build it, and let me know!
bowmaster says:
Feb 22, 2011. 5:03 AM REPLY

Ahh, I get it. It's based of the boundary layer effect like the turbine right? When I can find more info I may make one.
mrfixits says:
Feb 22, 2011. 2:09 PM REPLY

Yes, the Tesla fan or pump is based on the same idea of adhesion of the fluid to the discs, and the boundary layer effect.
Check out wikipedia for "Tesla Turbine".
The Tesla pump is found in US Patent # 1061142 ~ "Fluid Propulsion"
fairbanksd says:
Feb 17, 2011. 5:36 PM REPLY

Very good safety points on RPM limits with typical CD's . Has anyone tried to build the same tesla device using super balanced disc from a hard drive? I
believe these could be suitable and carefully machined to boot.
mrfixits says:
Feb 17, 2011. 10:35 PM REPLY
Here's a couple of Tesla Turbine instructables using hard-drives for discs:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tesla-turbine-from-old-hard-drives-and-minimal-too/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-15%2c000-rpm-Tesla-Turbine-using-hard-drive-/
skibum97 says:
Feb 16, 2011. 9:19 PM REPLY

My science fair partner and i are working on the tesla turbine and we were just gluing on the magnets with Methylene Chloride and we waited for a couple of
hours but it still wasnt sticking, they came off when we tipped it up on edge.
How would you go about getting the magnets to stick?
mrfixits says:
Feb 16, 2011. 10:40 PM REPLY
There are a couple of ways to glue the magnets on.

I generally use a good quality grade of Crazy Glue. The magnets need to be cleaned with solvent and scuffed for best adhesion.
For the larger drive magnets I sometimes use Marine Goop in addition. For example, I put a 1/4 inch bead around the base of the 1/2 inch magnets to
support them.
Goop pulls tighter when it sets up after a couple of days, and sticks really good to both surfaces.
Methylene Chloride works for gluing polycarbonate, but not for the nickel plating of the magnets ;)
Also, the polycarbonate CD discs are coated with a resin, making poly solvent less effective.
Zem says:
Sep 22, 2009. 9:14 PM REPLY
Is it just me, or in the second picture is there an Alternator connected to it?
mrfixits says:
Sep 22, 2009. 10:30 PM REPLY

Well it's about time someone noticed! Hehe Yes, that is correct. I adapted a magnetic coupler to an automotive 12 volt alternator, and got it to rotate by
magnetic coupling with the turbine. With faucet water pressure at only about 30 psi, the set-up was not effective. I could not get more than 50-100 rpm
out of the turbine/alternator, and so could not get more than a few millivolts out of it. I think it would generate power if it had 60 - 80 psi water pressure to
work with.
Rottom says:
Feb 8, 2011. 10:43 AM REPLY

would it not be presumable that if you added a small engine torque converter that it would up the rpms that are being produces
mrfixits says:
Feb 8, 2011. 12:54 PM REPLY

The automotive alternator takes all the turbine power available just to get it moving. Trying to increase the rpm with gearing, without additional
pressure from the water supply, is futile. It would be like trying to move your car in 5th gear at an idle.
Additional water pressure will increase the turbine power and rpm's sufficiently to drive the alternator properly.
Rottom says:
Feb 8, 2011. 1:20 PM REPLY

ok point taken, but could you not design an engagement mechanism for after the turbine was up to speed that way it does not bog the turbine
under instant pressure.
mrfixits says:
Feb 8, 2011. 11:29 PM REPLY

The Tesla turbine has a flat torque curve compared to an auto engine that generally has increased torque with higher rpm. If the turbine
bogs at low rpm, it will bog at high rpm too. (same torque) The horsepower is greater at higher rpm, but not the torque.
The engagement mechanism you mention might be useful if the turbine was tuned for maximum torque at a specific higher rpm, but
usually there would be no advantage (other than flywheel effect) to "spinning up" the turbine first.
Rottom says:
Feb 9, 2011. 5:19 AM REPLY

seems i need to build one of these to do some testing for myself to see if there is maybe even a gearing system for possibility of more
speed with less load... aether way love the challenge.
mrfixits says:
Feb 9, 2011. 9:06 AM REPLY

Be careful...The Tesla Turbine is a deceptively simple device that will give a lifetime of experimenting and learning to those who
get addicted!
seamaas says:
Jul 7, 2010. 2:13 PM REPLY
how would you set that up?
mrfixits says:
Jul 7, 2010. 7:27 PM REPLY

To set up the alternator I simply attached a magnetic coupler to the alternator shaft, then used a coffee can as an adapter to fit the turbine. The
magnetic coupler was made with 6 of 1/2 inch neos as drive magnets sandwiched between two CD's. The drive magnets of the turbine repel the
magnets of the coupler, and they move as one unit. I did not have enough faucet water pressure to make theTesla Tturbine Alternator go very
fast, and only got a few millivolts out of it. With adequate pressure of 70 to 100 psi or more, it would likely generate good power...until the turbine
case splits open, that is!!
FurtherThanTesla says:
Sep 9, 2010. 1:41 PM REPLY

If your getting a few milivolts out of it, it is working, but you havent connected it right. i have recently been using alternaators on gas
lawnmower engines, and i know the alternator should produce useful power at 100rpm. there is a third wire coming out of the alternator (not
the power output). that wire must be connected to +12v to work. the alternator has no permanent magnets in it. intead, it has an
electromagnet that rotates in the alternator windings. this electromagnet is powered by the +12v third wire, so if there is no 12v, there is no
magnetig feild, and only a few milivolts are made. (the reason for the electro mag intead of permanent is that the internal regulator can restrict
power to the electro mag at high rpms to make it weaker at faster speeds, and thereby regulate the alternating voltage produced. then an
internal rectifieer converts it to regulated DC) so try it again, and i bet you'll get something. then the electro magnet comes online, it will resist
more, so i doubt it will keep 100rpm, but you might get useable voltage! I hope ive helped. i try to do justice to my name, furtherthantesla.
mrfixits says:
Sep 10, 2010. 12:00 AM REPLY
Thanks for the instructive comment!

As a mechanic, I've been around alternators for 40 years. Your comments are right on. I applied power to the field wire as you suggested.
The main problem of not generating power was getting the shaft to spin fast enough. The rotating/rolling resistance of the alternator took
up most of the energy output of the turbine, while running it at the relatively low pressure of 30 psi or so.
So rpm's are very limited unless pressure can be increased significantly.
Sep 10, 2010. 12:38 PM REPLY

and also, would a modified gasoline engine (like a small mower engine) be able to handel those kind of forces?
Sep 10, 2010. 9:38 AM REPLY

Okay, cool. i firgure that if you built the turbine and attached the alternator in the first place, you plobly know what you are doing :)
Actually, if your a mechanic, i have an unrelated question. I made pans for an engine a while ago that runs on both diesel and gas
using (compressive detonation). I want to make a prototype, but i need to know how much PSI will be generated at TDC right after the
plug has fired with the throttle open fully. do youk know within a hundred PSI what that might be? :/ Thank you.
Sep 9, 2010. 1:43 PM REPLY
i just love messing with auto alternators :3
Zem says:
Sep 23, 2009. 6:54 AM REPLY
=D.
Excellent I was wondering if that was possible.
Ah, well I hope you find a more successful setup!
______ says:
Jan 1, 2011. 8:50 PM REPLY
can you cut noches into the cd? to increase speed
sUroJAPAN says:
Dec 15, 2010. 10:36 AM REPLY

Hi, I'd like to ask you some question because I'm gonna make a Tesla CD turbine for my school fair like the one you did in one of your videos.
First of all, what's the right measure for magnets? In the video you said 1/32" thick x 1/4" and 1/2" thick x 1/2" on the top but here I see 1/32" x 3/8" and 1/2"
x 1/2 on top.. So what's the right choose?
Second, do I have to put something on the bottom of the CD case? I don't know something to reduce friction or whatever..
Third, do I have to sigillate th CD case at the bottom?
Fourth, I'm trying to emulate your experiment so is the result the same if I use the "10CD's" option with bigger magnets on top?
Last question, to have a quite good pressure, (I need only to spin the turbine and to make the ball spin), what kind of pump do I have to buy?
Thank you very much in advance for answers
Keep going on with your experiments! They're really cool
R.
mrfixits says:
Dec 16, 2010. 10:02 PM REPLY
Hi R,
Thanks for your interest in the Tesla CD Turbine. It's really a worthwhile project!
It's simple, but not necessarily easy, as you will see.
You can use either of the 1/4 inch or the 3/8 inch magnets. 3/8 is better for more gluing surface, and better bottom-end torque and performance.
Sometimes I add a couple of loose cd's on the bottom for less friction, but what happens as the pressure and rpms rise, is that the CD's lift off the bottom
anyway. It's more likely that a bearing is needed on the top, as the discs will rub at their outer edges on the top of the case. I've used shim washers for
such a purpose, but my ultimate goal is a bearing-less turbine. Just fluid and magnetic bearings.
Sigillate is a new word for me! and yes, the case must be sealed at the bottom. Otherwise, the water will squirt out, and the internal pressure needed to
run will not be there. I used a premium grade hot-glue. Most glues won't work. The thick-based Memorex cases work best for gluing and holding shut
under pressure.
The result will be close with only 10 cd's instead of the 20-something I used originally. Lesser numbers CD's means you may have to use more pressure
or flow to get the same torque. However, one nozzle can only really power 8-10 CD's efficiently.
Many pumps are only up to 20 psi. Try to find one with more than 20 psi (30 - 50 psi is good) and more than 20 litres per minute flow.
Good luck with it, and welcome to the Turbine Builder's Club!
Cheers,
Rick
mr_mapper says:
Dec 13, 2010. 1:05 AM REPLY

Could you please tell me where is the 10000rpm measured? Is it where the CD's rotate on the spindle or at the outside edge of the CD's?
Thank you.
mrfixits says:
Dec 13, 2010. 6:11 AM REPLY
I use a laser rpm meter, and stick a piece of reflective tape on the disc surface to read it when it rotates.
tomascivinod says:
Oct 14, 2010. 1:15 AM REPLY
Is it better to have several layers of small magnets or One set of large ones on the top layer?
mrfixits says:
Oct 19, 2010. 7:22 PM REPLY
Good question!
The answer depends partly on what purpose you have in mind for the Tesla Turbine.
If extremely high speeds are involved, such as when running on 120 psi compressed air, then thin magnets between each disc layer is preferred. Omit
the large top ones because they could fly off and do harm.
The large magnets are used when using water pressure as the driving medium for the turbine. For the best magnetic coupling for heavy-duty use (for
example to mate with a blender), 6 of the 1/2 x1/2 inch N52 neodymium magnets on the top disc are best.
For my wonderful and tough "SinkScience" Tesla CD Turbine, I used both the thin 1/32 " magnets between discs and the 1/2 inch big ones on top.
tomcasull says:
Sep 10, 2010. 7:08 AM REPLY

I was wondering, if you run it through a gearing device could you reduce the the friction loss and increase the RPM of the alternator?
mrfixits says:
Sep 10, 2010. 9:56 AM REPLY
I believe that will only work with more water pressure to the turbine.
kea says:
Sep 9, 2010. 11:04 AM REPLY

I built a Tesla turbine years ago using Aliminium disks from old power meters.
At 70 PSI it ran some 15.000 Rpm was very smooth & quiet.
These machine were capable of pumping blood with-out damage.
Other types could not do this.
I have seen a home made Tesla gas turbine built by an aircraft engineer.
After 3 builds ran successfully with-out overheating. That is all the guy wanted to do so no power output was not measured.
As a matter of interest. You cannot sell these device for aircraft use in the USA as there is a Government gag order, A Us co is building these for the military
& have sole rights. As of 1990.
Cheers John M
mrfixits says:
Sep 9, 2010. 9:51 PM REPLY
Thanks for telling us about your interesting Tesla Turbine experiences.

There's lots more life left in Tesla's 100-year old ideas!
treespirit says:
Jul 24, 2010. 8:21 AM REPLY

i was wondering if this turbine combined with an alternator could generate electricity with maybe some kind of gravity circulating water feed to power the
turbine. i am definitely not a scientist but thought maybe this would work if the water were able to work in a continuous loop without having to hook it up to a
constantly running faucet. would love some ideas on how to accomplish this goal if its at all possible.
mrfixits says:
Jul 24, 2010. 9:27 AM REPLY

A turbine uses the water pressure inside the turbine, so there is not a lot of pressure left when running it. The turbine will run on water coming from a tall
height of about 40 feet or higher, but gravity is used to pull the water down the hose. Gravity can't push it back up the hose, however. We can install a
pump in a continuous loop to feed the turbine, but it won't be perpetual, and will require electrical or other power to run it.
cdousley says:
Jul 26, 2010. 6:21 PM REPLY

i had been thinking alot about it. if you could find a waterfall on a creek or river or something, you could use some type of large funnel to catch the
water at the top and run it through some type of pipe to this at the bottom. then the water could flow out. it depends on where you live if you can find a
waterfall you can use
mrfixits says:
Jul 26, 2010. 7:42 PM REPLY

That's right...a pipe will give about .5 psi pressure for each foot of vertical elevation. So, a 100 foot high pipe would give a very reasonable 50 psi
at the turbine.
cdousley says:
Jul 28, 2010. 8:00 PM REPLY
I wonder if a monster tessela turbine would make good hydroelectricity?
junk250 says:
Sep 9, 2010. 7:09 PM REPLY
"I wonder if a monster tessela turbine would make good hydroelectricity?

You might ask the people at the Niagara Falls Power Plant that Tesla designed in 1895 (the first of its kind)...that is still in use today !
So,...well yes.
mrfixits says:
Jul 29, 2010. 1:30 AM REPLY

Yes, that can work. It is dependant on the pressure and total flow of fluid. With lower pressure (say in a river compared to a waterfall) then
there must be more flow volume, to compensate for less pressure. Correspondingly, either bigger diameter discs are needed, or more of
them.
cdousley says:
Sep 13, 2010. 8:21 PM REPLY
cool, ! wish i lived near a river........ I have a creek but it doesn't have much water.
matthew gowan says:
Sep 9, 2010. 7:52 AM REPLY

In theory this could be made into a desk model by capping the top housing and driving the magnetic coupler through a small d.c. motor.
Azayles says:
Sep 9, 2010. 7:51 AM REPLY

Nobody (as far as I can see at least through all these comments, so I could be wrong) has offered up any theory as to why the ball changes direction, so
allow me to offer up a theory if I may?
I believe the rotating magnets on the disk are initially attracting the ball to rotate in the same direction as the ball is ferro magnetic. A point is reached
however where the magnets are rotating too fast for the ball to keep up, hence the chaotic rotation when the turbine is faster.
As the magnets spin faster still, eddy currents are set up in the ball which in turn give the ball a certain amount of magnetism, and this magnetism opposes
the magnetic attraction of the disk magnets, causing the ball to stall, and simply sit and jiggle about, instead of rotating.
making the disk magnets rotate faster still induces larger eddy currents in the ball, which causes a greater force of propulsion against the magnetic field set
up by the disk magnets, so the ball begins to rotate in the opposite direction.
The generator principle and the motor principle will always produce opposite forces for a given direction of rotation, which is why a motor appears to seize up
and is hard to turn when you short the electrical terminals.
mortal101 says:
Jul 9, 2010. 8:19 AM REPLY

Instead of using CD's what about the aluminum discs found inside hard drives? They would be smooth & balanced while possibly not exploding at 20,000
rpm.
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Build An Amazing Tesla CD Turbine PDF

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Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine

Intro: Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Materials and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Design an Inlet Nozzle for the CD Turbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Fit the CD Turbine Nozzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Join a Tube from the Nozzle Into the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Finish Nozzle and Attach PVC Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Prepare the CD Spindle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Author:mrfixits Mrfixitricks Youtube Channel

Intro: Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine

the loose CD's pack, above.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

5. Heavy-duty hot-glue sticks (4-6 should do.)

Step 2: Design an Inlet Nozzle for the CD Turbine

Step 3: Fit the CD Turbine Nozzle

Step 4: Join a Tube from the Nozzle Into the Case

Step 5: Finish Nozzle and Attach PVC Pipe

Step 6: Prepare the CD Spindle.

Step 7: Assemble The CD Disc Pack

Step 8: Assemble The CD Turbine

2. Fluid Inlet Pipe

3. 3/4 inch PVC Pipe, 2 feet long.

Step 9: Fun Things To Do With The Basic Tesla CD Turbine

Step 10: How Fast Can It Go? ...and A Safety Reminder.

Step 11: Cool CD Turbine Movies

Recycled OffGrid Tesla CD

view all 327 comments

Feb 21, 2011. 8:13 AM REPLY

Feb 21, 2011. 10:54 AM REPLY

Yep, I've done that!

Feb 21, 2011. 3:33 PM REPLY

Feb 21, 2011. 4:51 PM REPLY

Feb 21, 2011. 6:14 PM REPLY

Feb 21, 2011. 9:22 PM REPLY

Feb 22, 2011. 5:03 AM REPLY

Feb 22, 2011. 2:09 PM REPLY

Feb 17, 2011. 5:36 PM REPLY

Feb 17, 2011. 10:35 PM REPLY

Here's a couple of Tesla Turbine instructables using hard-drives for discs:

Feb 16, 2011. 9:19 PM REPLY

Feb 16, 2011. 10:40 PM REPLY

There are a couple of ways to glue the magnets on.

Sep 22, 2009. 9:14 PM REPLY

Is it just me, or in the second picture is there an Alternator connected to it?

Sep 22, 2009. 10:30 PM REPLY

Feb 8, 2011. 10:43 AM REPLY

Feb 8, 2011. 12:54 PM REPLY

Feb 8, 2011. 1:20 PM REPLY

Feb 8, 2011. 11:29 PM REPLY

Feb 9, 2011. 5:19 AM REPLY

Feb 9, 2011. 9:06 AM REPLY

Jul 7, 2010. 2:13 PM REPLY

how would you set that up?

Jul 7, 2010. 7:27 PM REPLY

Sep 9, 2010. 1:41 PM REPLY

Sep 10, 2010. 12:00 AM REPLY

Thanks for the instructive comment!

Sep 10, 2010. 12:38 PM REPLY

Sep 10, 2010. 9:38 AM REPLY

Sep 9, 2010. 1:43 PM REPLY

i just love messing with auto alternators :3