RCA 21CT55 #8802897 is Dead

[John Folsom]

Interesting to note this coil winder came out of RCA's Lancaster PA CRT plant when it closed some years back. I is quite a fabulous piece of engineering. But even having the machine is only part of the solution. The original flybacks used magnet wire with special servings (coatings), sometimes made of silk, cotton,celanese, nylon or other materials. It is very hard to find any of these wire types these days. I have been able to acquire some "gripeze" magnet wire. This is enamel coated magnet wire with a special very fine abrasive coating, designed to make the wire have a higher coefficient of friction, so the wires will hold together better on the coil as it winds.
Gripeze magnet wire is still made by the Bridgeport Insulated Wire Co. Surplus Sales of Nebraska has some celanese served magnet wire.

If anyone knows of any other sources for any of these other wire types, I would like to know about it. Thanks.