How to make arc reactor
Answers
IM NOT SURE WHAT YOUR QUESTION IS
At this point, you're at a crossroads. If all you want to do is place the Arc Reactor under clothing, you can take the extra LEDs you've got, place them in the center, put on a shirt and you're done. However, I wanted to show off the reactor without covering it up, which meant winding the coils and adding an Inner Ring.
The coils are part of the Outer Ring, so I've included them in this step. It's really quite simple, although tedious; I used 28 gauge copper magnet wire (which would be used in real electromagnetic coils of this size), which I meticulously wound over every piece of tape. The electrical tape can act as your guide, and it has the extra benefit of not letting any light through if your winding work (like mine) is less than perfect.
Numerous times, I did not prepare the right length of wire, so I hot glued the back end of the ring to hold everything together. The back isn't pretty, but the front looks really nice.
If you were really picky, you could have prepared the correct lengths of cable and made real electromagnetic coils with this step. That's for you perfectionists out there ;-)
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Step 5: Begin Construction of the Inner Ring
Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring Picture of Begin Construction of the Inner Ring
Okay, so if you plan on continuing this project, you will need an Inner Ring assembly. This part looks more complex, but we'll fake it pretty well ;-)
It looks as though the Inner Ring is made up of a metal bracket, which is held in place with three allen bolts. It's hard to see in the pictures on here, but underneath that bracket appears to be more coils that are floating (as opposed to being wrapped around something), a few smaller metal rings, some kind of wire mesh and finally more glowing light.
Start with the metal bracket. I grabbed a plastic lid out of the refrigerator and drew graffiti on it until I was satisfied. Your design can vary. I did not make any schematics or drawings of this, but I can tell you that an equilateral triangle has three 60° angles which is where the allen bolts would go, and that the movie Arc Reactor had 8 holes in between each bolt.
I cut the design out with an exacto knife. Good to go.
I made the coils that would float/hang underneath bracket using aluminum magnet wire. I'm not sure what gauge it was, sorry. To make it look coil-y, I wrapped the wire around a screw, and then unscrewed the screw. Cut to length, bent into place, and it was also good.
Next, I did the innermost ring. Here, I took this wire mesh that I have no idea where it came from, and a metal ring cover from a plumbing kit at the hardware store I had from a previous project. Hot glue and cut to shape put those two together well.
Hopefully you can take my ideas and make an even better version of the Arc Reactor! Have at it.