VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

Tried the usual sources, Bunnies, etc. Looking for 30m length of 2mm aluminium wire.

Craft sources look to be coated - don't want that.

Very much depends what you need it for , some of the fencing places will carry alloy wire around the size you need , or buy beg or borrow some 1 or 1.2 mm alloy mig wire and twist two strands for the same cross section , do you need solid or stranded would help

VK4TI wrote:Very much depends what you need it for , some of the fencing places will carry alloy wire around the size you need , or buy beg or borrow some 1 or 1.2 mm alloy mig wire and twist two strands for the same cross section , do you need solid or stranded would help

Solid. What is alloy wire ?

Steve

Search TIG Aluminium Filler rods on eBay (and the like). I used the 3mm type for my various 1296MHz yagis with great success.... relatively cheap too. I purchase a 2KG lot and after making 2 x 36 el 1296MHz yagis and 1 x 30 el 13cm yagi, I have barely made a dent in the supply.

A 4 bay of 1296 yagis is on the cards soon

VK4CZ wrote:Search TIG Aluminium Filler rods on eBay (and the like).

VK2XV wrote:Looking for 30m length of 2mm aluminium wire.

I am guessing they don't come in 30m lengths... 4 times 8m would do though.

Sure do. I have a roll here of 1mm aluminum MIG wire that weigh about 15kg and is 1 continuous length. I would be happy to send you some. how long a length do you need ?

PM me your address and I will cut you 4 x 10m lengths and sent them up to you.

Doh! I should have read your post properly.

I didnt need 30m lengths for the 23 & 13cm yagis.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

VK3XL wrote:Sure do. I have a roll here of 1mm aluminum MIG wire that weigh about 15kg and is 1 continuous length. I would be happy to send you some. how long a length do you need ?

VK2XV wrote:Looking for 30m length of 2mm aluminium wire.

Thanks. Does MIG wire come in 2mm diameter ?

Not sure but I think 2mm would require huge amount of current to melt in the MIG welding process. Maybe 1.2mm is as big as it gets..

I have cut 4 lengths approx 10m long ready to send. If you want more let me know I have heaps here.

VK3XL wrote:Not sure but I think 2mm would require huge amount of current to melt in the MIG welding process. Maybe 1.2mm is as big as it gets..

I have cut 4 lengths approx 10m long ready to send. If you want more let me know I have heaps here.

Thanks - but as I stated - I need 2mm.

ok no problems. if you cannot find any 2mm and the 1mm is of use let me know and its yours

VK3XL wrote:ok no problems. if you cannot find any 2mm and the 1mm is of use let me know and its yours

Thanks

found this...
http://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au-boc-in ... pool-s97-2.
but no 2mm, 2.4 is available though, any use?

you can get 2mm but BOC only sell it as a 6kg roll about $130 go for alloy 1080, it the closest you will get to pure aluminium in welding wire. If you have any aluminum fabricators near you they may sell you some if you are lucky.

It will probably need to be annealed as it is quite stiff and wants to stay coiled up. To anneal it you need to heat it to about 350 deg C for 1 hour (XYLs oven when she is not home maybe?).

good luck

I think you would be lucky to get an oven to get up to 350C. Ours is max at about 200C.

VK3XL wrote:you can get 2mm but BOC only sell it as a 6kg roll about $130 go for alloy 1080, it the closest you will get to pure aluminium in welding wire. It will probably need to be annealed as it is quite stiff and wants to stay coiled up. To anneal it you need to heat it to about 350 deg C for 1 hour (XYLs oven when she is not home maybe?).

2.4mm would be fine - actually - better. The wire needs to be self-supporting to a degree. I should go along and have a look at some rods of alloy 1080 and see just how stiff it is un-annealed and if it can be shaped.

Bit more expensive than I thought - 2kg of 2.4mm works out to be around 16m if the density is close to pure aluminium - or shorter if it is more dense. To get 30m would require two 2kg rolls @ ~$42 each = $84. I can get 30m of 6mm copper tubing for $90.

Thanks everyone - I have all the info I need now.

Try :

http://badgerwire.com.au/

I haven't bought anything from them since about 1995. At that time I bought 3.2mm dia Al wire in any lengths...

73, Adrian. VK4OX.

VK4OX wrote:http://badgerwire.com.au

Excellent !!!

They are local to me (within 20km) which is a bonus.

This looks like the answer.

Thanks !!!

Steve you may have some luck with bobthe welder , he has a web site and carries 2.4 in alloy and chrome molley brass etc , I have bought filler rods and wire so know the prices were fair at the time , good luck with it