Wire for domestic valve radios - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stitch1 · 13th Jul 2011, 9:05 pm

Hi,
I need to do some rewiring on an Ultra T401 (and others) it has mostly cloth and some rubber single and multi-core wire approx. 3mm diameter.

Other than http://www.savoy-hill.co.uk/Wire.htm I'm struggling to find anything suitable, the usual Maplins, Rapid CPC etc don't seem to have anything suitable in different colours.

Unless there's any reason why it should be multi or single core or cloth I don't mind as long as there's a range of colours and ideally one type suits all.

Anyone found a good source?

I should probably have said stranded rather than multi-core but I'm sure you know what I mean.

PaulR · 13th Jul 2011, 10:14 pm

A good source of wire with coloured insulation is an old computer power supply. You can also strip the insulation off the leads and use it on capacitor etc leads. The only problem I find with this is that it is multi stranded and I find single core easier to solder.

ms660 · 13th Jul 2011, 11:05 pm

Radiodaze USA.

geofy · 14th Jul 2011, 5:46 pm

No reason why the single strand can't have its old cover removed, new rubber looking sleeving can be bought and re-sleeve the wire, there is usually enough to make another soldered joint if only one end is cut.

dennishoy · 14th Jul 2011, 6:15 pm

Ebay has sellers offering a metre length of each colour at very reasonable costs. Multi and single stranded can easily be found in lengths of the primary colours.

There seems little point in recovering lengths of old wire from old electronic units unless your wallet has the dreaded moth syndrome.

M0FYA Andy · 14th Jul 2011, 7:27 pm

I can also recommend the cloth-covered wire from Radiodaze mentioned above. very good quality stuff.
Andy

Ed_Dinning · 14th Jul 2011, 7:52 pm

Another good source is old electric cookers. It is braided Si rubber, several not too bright colours and reasonable lengths. Try the local tip.

Ed

stitch1 · 15th Jul 2011, 8:22 am

Thanks

everyone for the tips on suppliers and sources (and PM's) much appreciated.

PaulR · 15th Jul 2011, 10:23 am

Radiodaze looks like a very good source of almost everything! How much are their P+P charges?

Sideband · 15th Jul 2011, 10:46 am

They look like an excellent company. I notice they even do an adaptor switch for single pots so you can make your own switched pot....very neat! Pity there is no-one in this country like this now.

I feel an order coming on!

SB

ms660 · 15th Jul 2011, 10:54 am

SB..me too. Maybe a small one to test them out. Anybody had first hand experience.

Framer Dave · 15th Jul 2011, 11:53 am

Forum member SWB 18 (Phil) has supplies of silicone rubber insulated wire in 0.5 and 0.75 sq mm crossections. This is a very good substitute for natural rubber originals, it is easy to strip and is rot and burn resistant. He will supply small quantities in a wide range of colours.

Why not send him a PM?

PaulR · 15th Jul 2011, 4:38 pm

Geof's suggestion about reusing the original wire is one I have thought about but then been overwhelmed by the variety available. Which, generally, is the best diameter to buy?

Paul

13th Jul 2011, 9:05 pm	#1
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Wire for domestic valve radios Hi, I need to do some rewiring on an Ultra T401 (and others) it has mostly cloth and some rubber single and multi-core wire approx. 3mm diameter. Other than http://www.savoy-hill.co.uk/Wire.htm I'm struggling to find anything suitable, the usual Maplins, Rapid CPC etc don't seem to have anything suitable in different colours. Unless there's any reason why it should be multi or single core or cloth I don't mind as long as there's a range of colours and ideally one type suits all. Anyone found a good source? I should probably have said stranded rather than multi-core but I'm sure you know what I mean. Last edited by stitch1; 13th Jul 2011 at 9:10 pm. Reason: 'stranded'

13th Jul 2011, 10:14 pm	#2
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,236	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios A good source of wire with coloured insulation is an old computer power supply. You can also strip the insulation off the leads and use it on capacitor etc leads. The only problem I find with this is that it is multi stranded and I find single core easier to solder.

13th Jul 2011, 11:05 pm	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Radiodaze USA. Last edited by Darren-UK; 13th Jul 2011 at 11:08 pm. Reason: Link added.

14th Jul 2011, 5:46 pm	#4
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios No reason why the single strand can't have its old cover removed, new rubber looking sleeving can be bought and re-sleeve the wire, there is usually enough to make another soldered joint if only one end is cut.

14th Jul 2011, 6:15 pm	#5
dennishoy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 167	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Ebay has sellers offering a metre length of each colour at very reasonable costs. Multi and single stranded can easily be found in lengths of the primary colours. There seems little point in recovering lengths of old wire from old electronic units unless your wallet has the dreaded moth syndrome.

14th Jul 2011, 7:27 pm	#6
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios I can also recommend the cloth-covered wire from Radiodaze mentioned above. very good quality stuff. Andy

14th Jul 2011, 7:52 pm	#7
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Another good source is old electric cookers. It is braided Si rubber, several not too bright colours and reasonable lengths. Try the local tip. Ed

15th Jul 2011, 8:22 am	#8
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Thanks everyone for the tips on suppliers and sources (and PM's) much appreciated.

15th Jul 2011, 10:23 am	#9
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,236	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Radiodaze looks like a very good source of almost everything! How much are their P+P charges?

15th Jul 2011, 10:46 am	#10
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,578	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios They look like an excellent company. I notice they even do an adaptor switch for single pots so you can make your own switched pot....very neat! Pity there is no-one in this country like this now. I feel an order coming on! SB __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

15th Jul 2011, 10:54 am	#11
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios SB..me too. Maybe a small one to test them out. Anybody had first hand experience. Last edited by ms660; 15th Jul 2011 at 10:57 am. Reason: addition

15th Jul 2011, 11:53 am	#12
Framer Dave Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Near Wrecsam, North Wales Posts: 356	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Forum member SWB 18 (Phil) has supplies of silicone rubber insulated wire in 0.5 and 0.75 sq mm crossections. This is a very good substitute for natural rubber originals, it is easy to strip and is rot and burn resistant. He will supply small quantities in a wide range of colours. Why not send him a PM?

15th Jul 2011, 4:38 pm	#13
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,236	Re: Wire for domestic valve radios Geof's suggestion about reusing the original wire is one I have thought about but then been overwhelmed by the variety available. Which, generally, is the best diameter to buy? Paul