You need something magnetic between the copper on the rotor. Think of the rotor as a shorted transformer. The copper rings and bars are the short.

Wiki should have said the idea is to induce a magnetic field, not current.

Think of putting a nail on a magnet and the nail will then be able once the magnet is removed, to pick up a paper clip. The nail will also have a N and S pole. Rotate the magnet and the nail will try to move (compass). The rotating field of the stator is doing the same thing to the laminates on the rotor. All the copper is doing is causing a short.

There are several theories for the shorting, The one I feel is correct is to create an insulation between the magnetic parts of the rotor.

Having the electro/mechanical part of the rotor on a twist does help starting as the magnetic parts will cross phase ( in two fields at the same time ) .

Over lapping the stator coils will also make a difference but what you have should move. (spin start? maybe) The bare metal in the stator coils should be facing the rotor, like you had in the first place.

Look at this http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/e...tes/00887a.pdf

If this does not help, I have a friend who owns a re-wind shop. I will get his input.