music wire

[JTree]

Broke my wire fid. My local source for piano wire is gone (outside of hobby lobby, which only has 12" lengths.....not long enough). Any suggestions as to where to order more?

 

[GregManning]

My father used to buy it on spools at the hardware store.

I got some at a very good, old-timer, hardware store; 3 ft lengths.
Brand + Info:
K&S Engineering, Chicago, IL

0.025" Wire; stock # 500
0.032" Wire; stock # 501

I'll bet Grainger & McMaster-Carr both have it. Cats are on-line.

 

[JTree]

I see they sell it on granger, but they sell different grades. Any suggestion as to which grade I ought to go with?

 

[GregManning]

Call Grainger, ask for Tech Support for the Cat Item.
My experience has been they are very knowledgeable & helpful.

Same w/ McMaster-Carr.
or call K&S Engineering.

 

[monkeylove]

JT, you will only get 1 choice with those 2 diameters, luckily it looks like it probably comes from K&S (Judging by the Model #'s)

 

[GregManning]

I didn't check yet, but I would guess that the shipping may cost more than the wire.
Try several different ones.
When I made my purchase, I bought several in a manufacture's plastic tube.

 

[RajElectric]

I got some from a piano tuner. He dropped a spool and it got all messed up, gave it to me for free, he didn't want to spend any time untangling it.

 

[JTree]

Thanks guys. I'm just going to buy a few different ones and see what works.

 

[GregManning]

How 'bout posting your conclusions in a few weeks or month ?

 

[JTree]

I'll sure try to remember. Honestly, I've got a few posts/threads I need to get up on the buzz, in case anyone else can benefit from the info. Been busy busy busy.....it'll slow down and I'll get it up soon though....at least I hope.

 

[Simpleiowaguy]

I use electric fence wire. I think I paid like $4 for around 250 ft

 

[JTree]

http://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/PRECISION-BRAND-Music-Wire-3L576

This is my favorite

 

[Norm_Hall]

.041 is a good all around size. I use on 7/16" to 3/4" arborist rope.

 

[SingleJack]

Guitar string ... any guitar shoppe ... cheap at twice the price.

 

[tuttle]

eBay is much easier than trekking round the block, loads of sellers offering everything with free post.

 

[NickfromWI]

They sell stainless steel wire on amazon for like $7 for a 10 yard spool...but I don't know what gauge to get so I don't know what to recommend! I know what size is right when I'm using it, but don't know what gauge that actually is

 

[GregManning]

They sell stainless steel wire on amazon for like $7 for a 10 yard spool...but I don't know what gauge to get so I don't know what to recommend! I know what size is right when I'm using it, but don't know what gauge that actually is

Could you check the actual diam. with a digital caliper or micrometer ?

 

[JTree]

Or you could just order that spool from grainger......your grandchildren would still probably be able to get a few fid lengths out of that spool.

 

[JTree]

I mean.....it's not like you often break a wire fid

 

[tuttle]

There are always charts on ebay converting gauge to mm or inches.
I use size 18.5, .041, 1.050mm