Self Potting Pickups?

[David Schwab]

I've been coating my coils with polyurethane varnish, but not the two part kind. My coils are not very thick, and I have no idea how far its getting into the coils, but it keeps the outside wrap nice and solid, which was my reason for using it.

I then use encapsulating epoxy. The bobbins have holes in them, so I think the epoxy is probably seeping inside. I'm going to start encapsulating them in a vacuum chamber soon.

Speaking of health issues... epoxy is quite nasty stuff! Until its cured anyway.

Some info on epoxy from Wikipedia:

Epichlorohydrin is flammable, toxic and carcinogenic, and Bisphenol A is known to be an estrogen receptor agonist, and has been shown to have developmental toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity. Recent studies suggest it may also be linked to obesity by triggering fat-cell activity.

Mmmmm, lovely. How do we humans come up with such vile stuff?

I think I'm going to give some bondable wire a try. Unfortunately I still have to use epoxy on a regular basis.

[jonson]

Lovely David. Nothing like triggering your fat cell activity sounds a real hoot.
still you are probably right in your idea of holes in the bobbin to get the stuff in there. My bobbins came to pieces' top and bottom plates screwed together with a core in the centre. First ones I did when I dunked them in meths (alcohol) it only went in a few layers and on disassembly the coil just fell to pieces but once I drilled a miriad of 1/16 holes everywhere they came off as solid blocks. Give the stuff a go mate and let us know what you think as I was using a 3 band active on those basses and didn't notice any difference in tone but I'm a builder machinist not a guitar player so you will know. See you were a drummer once David.(You can allways tell a drummer. Trouble is they forget it 5 mins later)

[wblakesx]

Can't say I'd like to spray the 2 part stuff. As for Isoccys... man I read the book on Bhopal, 911 was a nice dinner party in comparison. The slow cure of the decoupage stuff allows for deep penetration. I dare say any solvent based plasticiser would be more dangerous as long as you don't touch the two part stuff, but then a whiff of gasoline or alcohol is not good for the lungs either.

Has anyone tried compression bandages? Just trying to think out of the box.

My tuppence tis all