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| Piano Wire - Materials & Tools. - More Practical Help - Your Model Railway Club | ||||||||||
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Bob K Member 
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Hi all I often hear references to piano wire for operating signals, points etc, but I know nothing about it, where to obtain it and how much it costs. I was wondering if any members have used it and what their experiences might be? Is there one grade/size of wire, or does it vary? Does it bend easily and can it be shaped? I would welcome any comments, in particular examples of it being used. Thanks Bob |
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MaxSouthOz Admin 
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Bob, piano wire is a generic term used for high or medium tensile single strand steel wire. The really thin versions are used for the B and E strings on a guitar, but it is also available in 1/16" which is the usual size found in model shops. The lower notes have a bronze wire wound around them to increase their mass and so give a lower note. ____________________ Max Port Elderley |
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Chinahand Full Member 
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Hi Bob, Have a look here on Page 344 of the Squires catalogue. http://www.squirestools.com/12-19a.pdf They have a pretty comprehensive selection at reasonable prices. PIANO WIRE PIANO WIRE hard piano wire in 36" lengths and various sizes.CODE TYPE PRICE KS498 Piano Wire .015"................................................... £0.60 KS499 Piano Wire .020"................................................... £0.60 KS500 Piano Wire .025"................................................... £0.65 KS501 Piano Wire .032"................................................... £0.65 KS497 Piano Wire .039"................................................... £0.75 KS502 Piano Wire .047"................................................... £0.85 KS503 Piano Wire .055"................................................... £0.95 KS504 Piano Wire .062"................................................... £1.05 KS505 Piano Wire .078"................................................... £1.20 KS506 Piano Wire 3/32"................................................... £1.65 KS507 Piano Wire 1/8"..................................................... £1.90 KS508 Piano Wire 5/32"................................................... £2.65 KS509 Piano Wire 3/16"................................................... £3.65 KS510 Piano Wire 7/32"................................................... £5.05 KS511 Piano Wire 1/4"..................................................... £5.85 ____________________ Regards, Trevor |
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Brossard Member 
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I got some 0.010" guitar string (for loco springing when I get roun' toit) from my local music store. The man behind the counter seemed bemused when I told him what it was for. Pricewise it was CDN$1 - about 60 p. John ____________________ John |
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John Dew Full Member 
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I use it to replace the weaker wire supplied with Tortoise Point motors.........this is widely recommended to improve performance ____________________ John Granby III Lenz DCC,RR&Co Gold V9 B4 Windows 10 |
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Brossard Member
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You mean 0.032" steel wire John, I assume. Yes, the 0.020" wire supplied is too wimbly. Cobalts come with pre shaped 0.032" wire. The other John ____________________ John |
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John Dew Full Member
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Thanks John............as you guessed I couldnt remenber the dimension! I know cobalts come with a number of enhancements but I have heard a number of adverse reports.......I am a committed Tortoise Fan......and the price seems to have dropped $13.65 US for a single! Sorry Bob.....I digress  ____________________ John Granby III Lenz DCC,RR&Co Gold V9 B4 Windows 10 |
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Brossard Member
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Yes John, Cobalts do have some refinements and are more expensive than Tortoise. I particularly like the Cobalt feature that lets you clip in the wiring (like Hi Fi speakers) - no soldering. I had problems with the Tortoise soldered wires moving around and causing shorts on my last layout (10 minutes before show opening!). There is a separate connector which still requires that the wires are soldered but at least it's easy to unplug. John ____________________ John |
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MaxSouthOz Admin
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I've replaced my Tortoise motor wires as well, John. Especially important when they're mounted on their sides. ____________________ Max Port Elderley |
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Bob K Member
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Thanks all for the rapid responses, especially for the links. I will get some when I am next home and have a play around. Bob |
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| This is topic ID = 10546 Current time is 01:22 am |
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