Where is a good source to purchase small diameter copper wire, that I see used all the time in theforums?
You can buy fine brass rod at your LHS.
If you look in the craft/beading section of your local “dollar store” type place, you should be able to find spools of “craft wire” of around 0.5mm.
If you want to go finer than that, go to an electrical/electronics supplier and buy a length of speaker wire. Strip the insulation off and you will find an almost lifetime supply of very fine wire. Different grades of electrical wire (eg. newtorking cable, telephone wiring, etc) will yield different thicknesses of individual strands in the conductors.
Your local electronics store may also stock spools of “winding wire” in various gauges - this is enamelled wire used for winding coils and motor armatures.
Thanks Phil…you just gave me an idea, I have several old extension cords that I can strip and use for what I need.[:D]
Hi-
I find small copper wire in old TV’s and computers. Anything with a cord ment to plug into an electrical outlet will do. Also try old electric motors. If you have an old cell-phone WITH a vibrate feature, the vibrations are made from a tiny motor with a counter-wieght on the end. There should be at least 2 “arms” inside the motor wound with Very fine copper wire. Or maybe an old-style telephone cord. Most have several individually wrapped wires inside, just peel’em out it’s that easy.
I find the biggest problem I have as a model builder is throwing stuff away. Always in the back of my mind I’m thinking ‘I’ll find a use for that someday.’ And some things I have, but way more are still waiting for there turn. Oh well. [banghead]
Good Luck and remember- keep your stick on the ice
-Ray
Mike if oyu need super fine wire pick up some cheap headphone or earbuds at a Five Below or dollar store. Some of them are thinner than hair. And on me, that’s pretty darn thin.
Marc, thatnks for the tip, I appreciate it. As for thinner than hair, I can relate. I blow dry my hair by running up and down the hall three times.[(-D]
[#ditto] Computers are a great place to find very small scale wiring, bolts, and rods. If you have an old computer your gonna throw out, crack it open and start scavenging the parts.(Achtung! Use gloves and safety glasses, alot of little parts shatter and go flying.)
VIOLATION! Modelers Rule #5…Never purchase when you can source it for free. Why spend money when there are probably items like this laying around the house. Unused or damaged cell phone or CD player ear buds.
At the risk of violating Rule #5 I would offer this as a suggestion if you’re making antennae for 1:35 scale vehicles.
HeavyArty told me about using .02 rod styrene from Evergreen or Plastruct. You only need 2 & 3/4 inch pieces per antenna. One package ought to last you for 30 or 40 models. They look great too; but are just a tad on the delicate side.
3 times??? That’s almost a full head of hair
100% correct. I had a couple but wasted most of it experimenting making cables and stuff. 2 bucks and I am restocked[:D]
Richard, if that is .02 inches, that scales up to .96 inches at 1/48 scale. Way to thick for antenna wire. The stuff I am talking about is around the 40 gauge (.007") area. I have even seen thinner.