Wire-Don't need 100' - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: gilbenl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 05:24:11 pm
content: Silly question but does anyone know a source for cut-to-length or small qty wire? A repair I'm working on is spec'd for all of 10 total inches of 22AWG 7X30 PTFE wire. Granted I will probably use this again, but it will take me years to burn through 100', which is the minimum quantity I can find. It's also $60-$80/spool with shipping, which is more than the cost of all the parts I need to replace.In the past, these situations have led me to either A)Buying XS wire and sucking up space and money or B)Salvaging "close enough" wire from my junk box.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 06:00:24 pm
content: Check out electronics surplus stores, such asSkycraft(physically located in Orlando, FL), as they may sell wire by the foot.If you click on the link ^, some stuff is sold online, but there's usually a lot more in the store. So it's better to visit in person if you've something like this is local to you.As it happens, Skycraft has 22/3 twisted PTFE by the foot (here). Stranding is different (19/34), but I suspect this won't be a problem for you. There are also listings for 20/3 and 20/4 that could be of interest, particularly for colors, should the 22/3 not be to your liking.Hope this helps.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 06:04:54 pm
content: You could also try Home Depot, they have a big vertical conveyor thing with spools of wire that they cut to length for you. They may have what you need. I got 2 feet of 20 gauge solid core there for less than a dollar last year. If you aren't near a Home Depot, try whatever hardware stores you have nearby. PTFE insulated may be hard to find locally though.edit: wow, that Skycraft place looks awesome, gotta bookmark that

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 07:03:47 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on February 27, 2015, 06:04:54 pmWould Home Depot or similar carry stranded PTFE insulated wire though?I'm more accustomed to their wiring being structural related, and if you're lucky, some welding cable (EDPM & highly flexible; makes excellent jumper cables).As per Skycraft, I truly miss that place (moved). Fortunately, I'll be visiting the area soon, and will make it in there by hook or by crook.Wire is definitely on my list.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 07:10:17 pm
content: You can spend a long time in Skycraft. I picked up one of these for the wife a couple of years ago while in Orlando.Unfortunately it wasn't her colour, so I now have a slightly usedgimpgas mask available, utter discretion assured.

author: gilbenl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 08:19:57 pm
content: Funny you mention skycraft...The unit I'm repairing is a Datron 1062 that I picked up from their ebay store. Home Depot's wire section and I are good friends. The reason I haven't gone for used or "close enough" wire is that per the image below, this wire is spec'd specifically for this section. I'd like to attempt to maintain the same level of quality in the repair as would be done by a professional.I'll look into skycraft, but its a shame that someone hasn't addressed this niche.Update: Picked up 20 ft of the 22AWG 5 strand from skycraft. I think this would sate the Datron/Wavetek/Fluke engineers.FWIW they gave me a KILLER deal on the 1062. Very good eBay sellers-took a bunch of pictures on a sub $100 sale.

author: cosmicray
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 09:01:05 pm
content: You will possibly find stuff like this in the most out of the way places. A year back I was wiring up a custom WiFi CPE installation, needed about 20 feet of something that would carry 13V @ 0.7A, and was direct burial. My local building supply salvage store just happened to have a spool of 16AWG, 3 conductor, shielded, direct burial, tray cable (Omni A21603). IIRC $5 for the length I needed. Keep asking around.

author: 0b01010011
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 03:40:03 am
content: Farnell Australia (and I am guessing Farnell elsewhere) sell wire by the metre - when I did so it came reeled on what looked like scrap SMD spools, so quite convenient.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 10:19:55 am
content: I picked up a 3,000 ft roll of 22ga specialty wire fairly cheap and sold 20 foot lengths in ebay cheap. Took a year to empty the roll and I cleared over a thousand profit on it.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 03:29:52 pm
content: Quote from: Seekonk on February 28, 2015, 10:19:55 amThis. If you buy more than you need, you can always sell the rest.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 05:04:02 pm
content: Quote from: gilbenl on February 27, 2015, 05:24:11 pmI happen to have such a spool. I used to make a lot more money.It is however, purple...Message me and we'll figure something out.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 05:20:41 pm
content: Oops never mind, it says 22-7 , I assumed that meant 7 strands, but I count 19 finer strands.It's specialty cable corporation p/n M22759/11-22-7 which is 19/34...It is also silver plated.