Australian supplier for 22 AWG tinned solid core breadboard hookup wire - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: TheGeologist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 02:33:28 am
content: Hello all,I've been trying to supply my electronics hobby from Australian first, international suppliers second, in an effort to buy more locally. While I can't beat AliExpress for bulk passives, I've found that as soon as you want something more specific and of a known quality, the difference between AliExpress/Banggood/Amazon/Ebay narrows to the point of being trivial. Often, when the shorter shipping times are considered, paying more for something shipped within Australia works out well ahead of OS suppliers.However, I'm struggling to find hookup wire (solid core, tinned, 22 AWG) as a pack from anywhere but these sources. Altronics, Jaycar and a few other mobs I've queried don't seem to stock what I'm after. AliExpress has 5 x 8 m spools for AUD18 inc. shipping. Waiting to hear back from an electrical wholesaler, but I suspect the shortest roll on offer will be 50 m or more and the price as excessive as the length for a hobbyist.Does anyone know of a local (WA preferably) supplier for this sort of wire that won't break the budget?Cheers and a very merry Christmas and a smashing new years to come!PS: Ah! If there isn't such an option and several people are after the same sort of thing, I'm happy to buy in bulk and then divide the material between those interested at cost+shipping.

author: mcovington
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 04:47:09 am
content: I was all set to tell you that outside the USA, wire is sold by diameter in mm, about 0.6 or 0.7 mm for what you're looking for...but then I looked at Jaycar, and the lack of solid tinned wire was surprising! Either that, or they've hidden it too well.How about this?https://www.amazon.com.au/StrivedayTM-Flexible-Silicone-Electric-19-6ft/dp/B076P5MXJJ/

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 04:53:05 am
content: Altronics catalogue number WR0420Prosperous new year

author: TheGeologist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 06:28:40 am
content: Yeah, found the same thing with free and reasonably swift postage from AliExpress:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000169762018.htmlStill, want to buy local first.The tinned wire from Altronics isn't insulated, and was the best I could find there too.Wholesalers came up with zilch too, being suppliers to electricians and other trades rather than EE.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 06:59:18 am
content: If 30AWG would do then plated Kynar wire wrap wire is easy to get locally. Rockby, Alltronics, Jaycar etc all carry it and some in pre cut lengths.https://www.rockby.com.au/SearchresSql_12.cfm?Searchkey=wire+wrap

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 07:40:50 am
content: Hookup wire = insulated wire?Although to be fair many years ago ( may be half a century ago ) HP used to wire their equipment with insulated multi strand wire which was initially tinned ( soldered) into a stiff effectively single conductor.Lovely wire to work with , have never found a source of it.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 08:43:23 am
content: https://www.jaycar.co.nz/economy-breadboard-jumper-kit-5-colours/p/WH3032https://www.jaycar.co.nz/jumper-lead-mixed-pack-100-pieces/p/WC6027https://www.jaycar.co.nz/150mm-plug-to-plug-jumper-leads-40-piece/p/WC6024

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2019, 12:15:11 pm
content: Quote from: beanflying on December 27, 2019, 06:59:18 am30AWG is much too thin for breadboard use. It doesn't have enough stiffness to be inserted into a loose breadboard, never mind a stiff one. :/ 22 and 24AWG are what I recommend. I also suggest (with all component leads, not just wire!) to snip them on a bias to make a sharp point. Makes insertion MUCH easier. (Also, with TO-220 components, use flat pliers to twist the bottom of the pins 90˚ to make them parallel to the contact strips. This also makes them MUCH easier to insert and prevents damage to the breadboard.)

author: TheGeologist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2019, 12:21:00 pm
content: Thanks for the ideas and insights everyone.I've ordered a pack of wire from AliExpress with relatively quick shipping (times not guaranteed!) and will report back when I receive it.For the time being I've got miles of old CAT6 cable and at a pinch I can use this, but it sure doesn't work as well as the jumper kits where the pre-cut lengths are suitable. Endless jumper and Dupont wires already on hand, but many connections - particularly on projects that are going to be set up on the breadboard for a while - gets messy really fast and I struggle to see what is what.Enjoy your new years wherever you may be!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2019, 08:34:38 am
content: Solid Ethernet cable, especially the thicker varieties, works decently. Invest in a good wire stripper with a depth stop to make forming jumpers a lot easier.FYI, it turns out I actually have a box of Striveday stranded cable that somebody gave me, and it seems like perfectly good quality to me, so I’d predict their solid wire will also be satisfactory.This whole discussion reminds me that I really need to a) visit my friends in Los Angeles again, and b) go to Apex Electronics again while there — they sell tons of surplus military wire by the pound, making it a great deal. (Teflon and Tefzel insulated wire is extremely expensive otherwise.)