I started to build a Tesla coil in 2003 but I never finished it. During my free time freshman year of college I started reading more about Tesla coil design and construction. I built it over the course of the summer in 2008. Worked the first time too. Ha! Over the years it hasn't changed much. I've only made little changes and additions.
This is how it appeared in 2008:
Since then I've replaced the original saltwater capacitors (in the yellow bin) and made two new toroids (the silver thing on top).
Run about two weeks ago:
The arcs in this picture are only 24" or so. The whole thing consumes about 1kw of power, less than your average hairdryer.
I like the loud arcs, I like the entire design, construction, and troubleshooting process, I like how somewhat simple materials can be put together in the right way to make mini-lightning, and I like that it's based on century old technology. lol