A coil former allows transposition between layers of turns in a coil to be accomplished without damage. The transpositions can be made in a short side of the coil. The former has finned portions which guide the wire into the correct locations during winding. When the coil is wound, the former is disassembled and the end portions are pulled towards the center of the former and turned through 90° to be removed. A method of using the former is described.