Making a Simple Air Core Inductor (Induction Coil)

This instructable will tell you how to make a simple small air core inductor, specifically for Niftymitter. Niftymitter is an open source FM transmitter based on Tetsuo Kogawa's Simplest FM Transmitter, a free running oscillator circuit, hence the need for a coil.

What You Need

A small reel of enamelled copper wire.
A drill bit of the desired internal diameter of the coil.
Soldering kit and solder.
Wire snips and needle nosed pliers.

For Niftymitter, use 0.75mm (or 22SWG) diameter wire, such as this from Rapid and a 5mm drill bit.

SWG/metric conversions can be found on this page.

Turning the Wire

Using the drill bit as a template, wrap the wire, counting up to the number of desired turns. Allow 3cm of wire clear before starting the turns and keep the wire taught while turning. Kogawa has a video for this step on his site here [.wmv].

For Niftymitter, make 4 complete turns, as close together as possible.

When complete, snip off from the reel at 3cm distance from the last turn.

Forming the Legs

Use some needle nosed pliers to grip the coil on the bit as shown. Bend the legs as shown so that they are parallel. Remove from the drill bit.

Tinning the Legs

The legs of the coil require tinning to remove the enamel and prime the surface for soldering onto a board.

Use some needle nosed pliers to grip the coil while tinning - it can get very hot. Heat one leg with the soldering iron for a few seconds.

Introduce some solder to the heated leg and continue applying the iron, moving back and forth on the leg. The enamel will begin to separate from the copper and bobble.

Continue adding solder until the leg is silvered all over. You will have to turn the coil over as you do this to ensure coverage. Coax any surplus solder and enamel to the end of the leg.

Repeat the procedure for the other leg. When complete, snip of the ends of the legs, with the surplus solder attached, leaving at least 1cm of straight leg before the turns.

Completed Coils.

Your completed coil should look like one of these. and can be inserted into a 1.5mm hole in a PCB. For Niftymitter, the transmitting frequency of the transmitter can be increased by increasing the separation of the turns of the coil. This can be achieved using the head of a small screwdriver to manipulate the gaps.