Model "BUZZ" coil ZZZAAAPPP for a model engine

[Paul Spence]

It's sure a lot smaller than a full size "T" coil and works fine for me. Here is how I did it and a couple of photos.

HOW I MAKE A SMALL BUZZCOIL USING A LAWNMOWER COIL AND THE CONTACTS FROM A MODEL “T” COIL.

1-First I pick a model “T” coil that doesn’t work or is in really bad shape that has a good set of contacts on the top. I then take the “T” coil apart and save the top piece with the contacts on it, with as much of the wiring left underneath as possible, and clean it up. I save the pieces of tar from the coil and put them in the tar pot for reuse and save the wood sides and primary coil for something? The secondary coil and capacitor are just thrown out because they are usually no good anyway.

2-I then pick out a Tecumseh lawn mower coil set up (more compact than a B & S) that has the capacitor and wires still connected to it and cut it apart with a hack saw leaving just the coil, capacitor, wires and the iron core through the coil. I then push the iron core up as far as I can and trial fit it beneath the top part of the “T” coil with the contacts being used. A rubber band helps hold the coil in place as you fiddle with the position. If the iron core is not close enough (about 1/16”) to the lower contacts you will have to either rout out the wood underneath the contacts to fit, or, add a piece to the iron core. I opt to just add a piece to the iron core by cutting a piece of ½ round cold rolled to fit. Usually 1/4”- ½” is enough to give me the 1/16” clearance needed. I grazy glue this piece to the end and then put a piece or two of shrink wrap tubing over it to ensure it stays in place. I then cut the shrink tubing flush with the iron core.

3-Once I have the iron core to contact spacing where I want it, all being held in place with a rubber band, I solder the wires (from the “T” coil contacts) as follows. I connect the + side of the capacitor and the one side of the coil (on the Tecumseh coil they are usually already joined together with a spade type lug with a hole in it) to the lower contacts. I then connect the – side of the capacitor to the upper set of contacts and run a + lead (red) out from this point for connection to the + side of a battery. I then solder a black wire from the other end of the primary coil for connection to the – side of the battery. I then cut and strip the high tension wire to an appropriate length and splice in whatever I want to use for a spark plug wire. After I have everything lined up, I heat the tar up and carefully pour it around the coil where it fits up against the top piece with the points on it. You could use construction adhesive, epoxy or something similar just to hold things in place. Make sure you insulate all the leads, solder joints and capacitor so you don’t have anything shorting out the device. As I go along, I use clip leads to test it out as just to be sure I have it right. When done you can adjust the points just like you would a model “T” coil. Works well for me ZZZAAAPPPPP. Then depending on how you want it to look, you could make a little box to put it in, or just leave it. The whole thing is just a bit less than ½ the size of a model”T” coil and great for a model engine with a small battery box.

Good luck and have fun with this project.

ZZZAAAPPPPP *&@%$ Darn, I hate when that happens…. Paul

[Mac Leod]

good looking buzz coil you have there!!! how did you figure all that out???

Mac Leod

[Paul Spence]

Mr. Linsday(sp?) helped a bit.

[Anthony J. Wiegand]

I think hey also had an article in GEM about making a buzz coil.....Anthony

[Anthony J. Wiegand]

I think they also had an article in GEM about making a buzz coil.....Anthony