Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: hesamadman on July 24, 2013, 10:52:56 am

Title: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: hesamadman on July 24, 2013, 10:52:56 am
I ran out of 20 gauge wire. I don't want to order a couple feet and have to wait on it. Only place I can find any 20 gauge wire is Radio Shack. Does anyone advise against this? I can find 500ft spools of 18 gauge all day long at the local Electric Supply Warehouses but no 20gauge.
Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: dpm309 on July 24, 2013, 11:39:02 am
Is there a Fry's Electronics near you?  There are 2 here in the Phoenix area and I have used their 18, 20 and 24 (effects pedals) ga wire, both stranded and solid and the quality is not much better than Radio Shack but works.  You can order on-line from them also, but I would go with Doug's hook-up wire as long as you are ordering it.  The only issue with the Fry's wire is that the insulation tends to melt back a bit if you hold the soldering iron on the part too long.  Just my $.02 worth

Dan
Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: Willabe on July 24, 2013, 12:05:18 pm
The only issue with the Fry's wire is that the insulation tends to melt back a bit if you hold the soldering iron on the part too long. 

You also need to know the voltage rating of the wires insulation.


                 Brad      :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: John on July 24, 2013, 12:30:24 pm
I've used the 20ga from Radio Shack, no issues. It's not pre-tinned, but if you need some fast...
Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: quayhog on July 24, 2013, 04:55:26 pm
If I knew where you lived I'd give you all you need.  I've collected a lifetime supply from dumpsters behind aircraft avionics shops.   

You can ask avionics shops for scrap you just need to assure them it will not be used on aircraft.  Aircraft parts need to have proven pedigree cerificates.  Its all teflon wire with 1000 volt insulation.

Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: eleventeen on July 24, 2013, 05:36:58 pm
I like looking out for multi-conductor cable. Unless it's a name brand, you don't know (meaning, you can't look up) the voltage rating, but a few feet of 10-20 conductor cable can supply quite a bit of wire. All different colors, too.
Title: Re: Quick place to get some hook up wire???
Post by: dude on July 24, 2013, 10:35:46 pm
Most of that Radio Shack wire is rated at only 300 volts...?

al