# Tesla coils

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-coils/183158>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 20, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-coils/183158 "2003-06-20T14:05:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mjcocat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@mjcocat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjcocat)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-coils/183158/1 "2003-06-20T14:05:19Z")

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Has anyone here ever built a tesla coil? If so, what were your experiences? I am thinking of building one, but need to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks such as cost and safety.

I know I can search the web and get loads of information, and I have. But I would like a more interactive response.

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**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-coils/183158/2 "2003-06-20T14:17:30Z")

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i used to build them quite a lot.

they were fantastic as a base defence. It always used to make me giggle watching them kill allied soldiers - you’d see their skeletons and everything!

[sub]I’m sorry. I’ll get my coat.[/sub]

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**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-coils/183158/3 "2003-06-20T14:38:04Z")

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I personally preferred the _Obelisk of Light_ 😉