World's Easiest QCW Tesla Coil (Staccato-Ramped DRSSTC) | The Ultimate Build Guide

The QCW DRSSTC: some consider it to be the crown-achievement of the amateur high voltage community. A magnificent and extremely rare device capable of producing electrical sparks much larger than the device itself. Since its creation, the QCW Tesla coil has remained something of a mystery...until NOW! Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to YouTube's first proper QCW tutorial!

In this video, you will not only discover how a traditional QCW coils operates, but also learn how to properly build and construct your very own staccato-based QCW Tesla coil. This particular design is easier, cheaper, and quieter than most Tesla coil designs, and it's safe enough for indoor use. To top it all off, when this thing is built right, it can produce sparks over FOUR TIMES the length of the coil itself! So what are you waiting for? Let's build!

Full instructions, parts list, schematic, and PCB Gerber files (PCB size is 157mm by 114mm):

And, for those interested, these are the 3D files I made for my coil's enclosure, toroid, and more (I'm not a 3D wizard, so don't judge me, lol):

Check out my write-ups of this project on Instructables and Hackaday:

Want to engage with other people in the Tesla coil and high voltage community? Check out our Discord server:

Super useful links:

Music used:

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Finding the optimal design
1:55 Going dual-resonant
2:39 Making it DR-capable
3:55 QCW basics
4:37 Staccato solution
5:07 Optimizing a QCW coil
6:46 The final circuit
7:38 PCBgogo sponsorship segment
8:24 BUILD MONTAGE!!
9:22 Activating the machine
10:59 Performance details
11:53 PCB giveaway!
12:22 Special thanks and credits

[PlasmaChannel]

NIce work LC! Im planning on getting a 3D printer for identical uses as well. Those sparks are massive bro. How many pulses compose each burst?

[tatemcaluney]

that was so epic, seriously. This video was over before I knew it yet it was 12 minutes, so great job! I think I'll make my enclosure transparent to appreciate that PCB. You're an inspiration, for real.

[harunlisic]

Damn dude, you explained stuff in 30 seconds which for others would take 30 videos, and you explained it so that everyone understands it well

[cisarvialpando]

Best video...the only youtuber who shows how to built it and all the links of the necessary circuits..

[OfficialPCBGOGO]

EPIC! Glad you choose our PCB!!! Honored!

[Livewire]

Good work! That's a crazy spark-to-coil ratio!😁

[inventorbrothers]

I can't believe how simple the circuit schematic is. Every other one I looked at was much more complicated. I want to build it this very second! Your explanations really helped me understand how the QCW tesla coil works. Thanks for making this awesome video!

[cisarvialpando]

Best one ever. No other youtuber explain like this


Your next project should be a musical Tesla Coil.

[mine_craftpro]

This is THE most EPIC VIDEO IVE EVER SEEN!!!
im thinking of building one.

[KDewees]

I had to come back and appreciate this video even more. Excellent job, Zach! (Your pcb design skills are phenomenal btw)

[morganchandler]

You should post this in my Facebook group Tesla universe...

[hackercop]

Really want to build this, your videos are amazing

[supriyode]

One step towards Advancement of Human Civilization! Keep it up man👍

[randyduart]

LabCoatz we are at it again with your Staccato QCW DRSSTC. If you are still checking comments, we have a question. We have your DRSSTC coil constructed, but we realized that we missed ordering the capacitors for the MMC. Your video shows that you built a 2KV 80nf MMC. Which consisted of 4 capacitors. The Instructables site suggested 1kV or higher film capacitors to set up the MMC. The Instructables site recommended buying a set of ten 0.01uF (10nF) capacitors. Would an MMC built with four 0.01uF capacitors be enough for this build? I am getting ready to make the order and thought I would ask prior to making the order. As always, your advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way your SSTC we built is working perfectly.

[ihtsarl]

I have been building many half & Fullbridge Mosfet power resonaters and have been trying to eliminate parasitic oscillations and high pulses at resonance so as you shared I am in agreement in this video at just near resonance I get clean oscillations, yet still effective induction heating.

[rogerhargreaves]

Wow, had to check out your SSTC after seeing you help Jay out over on Plasma Channel. Totally amazing Zack. Nice one. 😀👍

[michaelbuzzy]

Can this circuit do music as well? Great video. literally wound my primary the day before this came out! Great timing!

[Magneticitist]

Awesome bro I know a lot of people out there want to try this and it will help them out. It's crazy cause Deeds and Brian/SciTubeHD are the ones who first had me like "woah I need to try this" and that was years and years ago. It's kind of strange how it has remained somewhat of an obscure kind of Tesla coil even though it's fairly easy and cheap and gets really nice streamer results.

[tiagobraz]

Hello, good friend. I've been following your videos and content. Congratulations to you for the amazing videos.
I have two questions regarding this circuit. If you could help me, I would be grateful. So.. how did you made your MMC bank and where did you put it?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Cheers from Portugal.

[rosmig]

Hi. thank you for this video. I learned a lot.