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Where can I find small gauge copper wire?

post #1 of 13
2/23/10 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 
What retailer might have 28-32 awg copper wire in teflon? I need just about a foot - I've looked at a bunch, and they either don't have it, or sell in 50' spools. I'm planning to buy some larger wire as well, so I don't mind shipping costs as long as they're reasonable. Anything local to downtown Toronto would be great, too.
Apologies if I've missed an answer already on the board, search has not been my friend today.
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post #2 of 13
2/23/10 at 11:30am
Haven't found teflon at any of the local stores (Sayal, Active). For that size all I've seen is magnet wire.

Smallest I've got is 24awg that I got from John's wire shop. His shipping was fast and responsive.
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post #3 of 13
2/23/10 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 
John's been recommended to me, but I really don't need silver or SPC, or 50' of it all. I'll go with him if I can't find anything else, but as I was hoping to buy some copper wire in other gauges, it'd be nice if it all came from one place. Thanks though!
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post #4 of 13
2/23/10 at 12:37pm
It is exceptionally difficult to teflon insulate copper wire without a silver plating. I cant remember why, but I think it has something to do with the heat involved in extruding the teflon screwing up the copper. Maybe its some chemical reaction... like I said, I dont really remember

A thin layer of silver plating stops all of the problems.

You can always get teflon tubes, and raw copper wire & put them in yourself. at 28-32ga its going to be no fun at all.

As an aside, I have about 1/4mile of 30ga solid SPC in teflon. Its VERY VERY bright yellow but your welcome to a rod or 2 if you pay shipping.
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post #5 of 13
2/23/10 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post
It is exceptionally difficult to teflon insulate copper wire without a silver plating. I cant remember why, but I think it has something to do with the heat involved in extruding the teflon screwing up the copper. Maybe its some chemical reaction... like I said, I dont really remember

A thin layer of silver plating stops all of the problems.

You can always get teflon tubes, and raw copper wire & put them in yourself. at 28-32ga its going to be no fun at all.

As an aside, I have about 1/4mile of 30ga solid SPC in teflon. Its VERY VERY bright yellow but your welcome to a rod or 2 if you pay shipping.
There's problems involved in teflon coating tinned copper wire, since the melting point of tin is lower than that of teflon (making all the strands stick together), but with uncoated copper wire it should be no problem.
I'd be very surprised if any chemical reactions prevents it, since being very non-reactive is one of teflon's biggest virtues.
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post #6 of 13
2/24/10 at 2:03pm
if you can handle purple or white, get some XLO UPOCC copper (6N) from michael percy. he has it in 28 and 30 in your size range. the 30 is purple and the 28 is white; so there is clearly zero issues with teflon coating it
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post #7 of 13
2/24/10 at 3:27pm
I really like that XLO copper, but as you're in Canada, just grab some Jupiter wire (in cotton, but you can buy Teflon sleeving) from PartsConnexion.
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post #8 of 13
2/24/10 at 3:54pm
yeah but you cant really buy teflon sleeve that small very easily and as noted it will be a total PITA to thread unless he gets it a bit larger than the wire, so if hes looking for thin and flexible then that wont work out, also the teflon sleeve I have used is all a bit stiff and microphonic, but the XLO stuff isnt too bad in that regard.its pretty cheap too. microphonics may not be of any import though, since OP has on;ly mentioned short lengths i'm thinking its for a DIYMOD or something?
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post #9 of 13
2/24/10 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! (And for your offer, Nikongod). Percy Audio looks just right, and if not, I've only now remembered about Homegrown Audio, so if one doesn't work out I'm sure the other will.

FallenAngel - I did order the Jupiter wire initially. Problem is, this is going in my ipod (diymod) and the cotton insulation adds way too much bulk, and PC doesn't stock >26awg teflon tubing.

Anyway, think I'm all set now, thanks everyone.

Edit. Qusp posted while I was typing. Right you are, diymod
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post #10 of 13
2/24/10 at 4:03pm
thought so; well if thats all i've got some XLO in the 30AWG. want some? could spare you a foot no drama. i've used it before a number of times for DIYMODs and its perfect. actually have some great cardas 30AWG silver in teflon too, but dont think I have enough spare. seems you are partial to copper anyway since you specified it
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post #11 of 13
2/24/10 at 4:22pm
Yep, XLO is what I've used in my diyMods. I also had sleeved 28awg Jupiter wire in 26awg Teflon before, not too hard for short lenghts.
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post #12 of 13
2/24/10 at 4:26pm
yeah me too, but my point was that 26AWG really isnt that thin and with the application its only JUST thin enough for DIYMOD with some maneuvering. 30AWG you barely have to think about routing
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post #13 of 13
2/24/10 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, Qusp. No worries, though, I need several other things, and MP seems to have a good selection, so I think I'll just place an order for everything with him.
Good to know the size will fit It was rather frustrating when the Jupiter arrived, heh.
The Cu is not so much a preference, I just haven't been convinced to go to anything else. For this small an application, though, it doesn't make much difference.
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