Did any of you others experiment much with electricity as kids?
Oh, ya!
Charging P.F. Correcting / Motor Starting Capacitors rated for >450 VAC, via "Reverse-Fed" 20 - 40 VA Split-Coil Control Transformers (Sec. = 120/240 VAC, Pri. = 240/480 VAC), and "Letting A Friend Complete The Path" / "Help Discharge The Capacitor Rapidly"
This one turned into fights at times
Also turned into everyone's favorite "Trick For The Newcomer(s)"!
The 'Old "Hold These Two Wires On This Coil, While I Remove The Ohmmeter's Leads" trick/test... another instant anger generator!
The classic "Please Hold These Leads, While I Crank The Megger" type of Human Being "Hi-Pot" testing.
All those above items were "Universally" experienced by myself and friends. Kind of Masochistic behavior for sure!
We were Teenagers, and doing what Teenagers do best - just do, not think!
For the "Non-Contact" / "No Pain Induced" stuff, I think the overall best was the Neon Transformer with the #12 T-Bar Ceiling wires attached to the Bushings, making the "Walking Plasma"
Minimal success was achieved using Automotive Ignition Coils and a Series Bell (for rapid open/close of the Primary Circuit).
Too little Power could flow through the Circuitry, hence tiny Arcs only.
Very boring...
If we could have got our hands on the materials to create an actual Tesla Coil, we definitely would have built one (or 20!).
We attempted to build a large Van Graff Genny, but never completed that one for some reason.
It was more of a "$$$" than "Sense" thing, too!
Scott35