Well done! helped a lad at work wind a tesla coil the other month around a length of drain pipe. We did use the lathe to turn it though but at 40rpm still took 30 min!
@Norm I've got a background in IT, no real background in electrical engineering, just a love for tinkering I suppose... (starting to think it's more of a condition really). It really is amazing just what you can learn and accomplish using Google these days, isn't it? Absolutely, and without a doubt the best tool I have in the box.
@Mike Brocott's your best bet. Top quality wire and a super fast service, they also sell excellent varnish. Their website is very good. The stuff I used was 4KG (continuous roll) of 1.5mm Polyester 200 Dual Coat. It's rated to 212 Degrees celsius (unlike the 160 rated original wire) therefore it has to be crimped and not soldered.
@ MADKAYAKER Always fancied having a go at a Tesla coil, rekon one planted in the middle of the back garden would make the ultimate intruder prevention system... lol (I did actually laugh out loud at the image I have in my head right now..)