Building a homemade SGTC part 3: The Spark Gap

The spark gap is probably the simplest part of a Tesla coil. The gap acts as a high-voltage switch that releases the energy stored in the capacitor through the primary coil at just the right time.
There are several types of spark gaps. There is the single static gap, there is the multiple static gap, and there is the rotary spark gap (synchronous or asynchronous).
The single static gap can be as simple as two bolts facing each other with a space between them. It is important that the bolts are not pointed because sharp edges can lead to corona discharge, which means loss of stored energy. This type of gap is generally suitable for most coils. However, the electrodes must be kept cool in order for the gap to fire at the correct time. If they heat up, resistance decreases and the gap can fire at a higher rate, greatly affecting the output of the Tesla coil. The gap may be cooled by moving air across the contacts, or I have also seen magnets used. Any method of extinguishing the spark immediately will work.
The multiple static gap is, as the name suggests, a multiple version of the single static gap. Instead of having one large gap, the space is divided among several electrodes. This greatly decreases both the noise of the spark and the heating of the electrodes. This is the type of spark gap I am planning to use, for now.
The rotary spark gap has electrodes mounted to a motor. As the motor spins, the electrodes only get close enough to allow a spark a certain number of times per revolution of the motor. There are two types of rotary spark gaps: synchronous and asynchronous. A synchronous rotary spark gap (SRSG) fires at the exact same point in each AC cycle of the sine wave, supplied by the mains and the transformer. That is to say that the gap is synchronized with the input. The asynchronous gap is basically the same, but it is NOT synchronized with the input. The SRSG is the most efficient type of spark gap for a Tesla coil, but it is also the most expensive and difficult to build. This is the main reason why I chose to use the multiple static gap type--very cheap and extremely easy to build.
Here is a photo of my spark gap:
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This particular gap I made for free. I used 3/4" copper pipe, cut into 8, 2" sections. I mounted them on an old plastic VHS (video cassette) case with small bolts I already had. I plan to have it cooled either by magnets or by a fan mounted next to it. The fan I have at the moment is taken from an old microwave oven--again, completely free.

The next part of my Tesla coil: The Chokes.