I use more copper wire than the Intel Corporation, and my recent whirlwind tour of fly shops gave me a shopping list of items to find in bulk . Copper wire was first on the list, as a measly 30 foot spool costs $2.00 at the shop.
I use the standard size and the “ultra” wire size, which is slightly smaller. The electronics trade calls this stuff many things, but “magnet wire” seems to be a common title. It is a raw copper wire with an enamel coating, and comes in a variety of colors.
I prefer the enamel coated wire to “raw” copper as the enamel prevents the wire from tarnishing. I usually apply a rubberband to the larger spools to prevent unraveling, the enamel protects the wire against discoloration caused by damp flies returned to the box, and the rubber band securing the spool.
A half pound spool of magnet wire is about $10.25. In the 34 Gauge size (our fly tying standard) you get 3911 feet of wire for the price of five fly shop spools.
I am guessing that the Ultra Wire is 36 Gauge, but as it is on backorder I cannot confirm this. I got two 1/2 pound spools today, 34 Gauge and 32 Gauge for larger steelhead flies.
The hard part is electronic supply houses don’t care about the color. You have to ensure that you are getting the simple “brownish” enamel finish, not purple or green, or whatever they have in the rack.
As a reference vendor, Action Electronics was where I got mine, but I got assorted colors which are less useful than the natural copper color. You need to call or visit to ensure color selection – as I haven’t found an electronics site that allows me to choose color via the web.
Singlebarbed readers do not tremble when shopping with a coupon, so buck up.
Technorati Tags: copper wire, bulk copper wire, 34 gauge
If you purchase the next size up, they’ll throw in an attractive wooden spool that can later be used as an end table or nightstand.
Hehe, I can tell you miss dorm life.
Looking for 36 AWG Copper enameled (magnet wire)
small quantity $10 spool or so.For wiring an electromagnetic – gravity conversion. THANKS TOM.
Tom,
You can get it at the above link to Action Electronics. Use the drop down menu on the 1/4 lb spools to show the 36 gauge size. It is $8.32 for a 1/4 lb of the wire. It is not shown among the sizes, but it is shown on the drop down menu for both 1/4lb and 1/2lb spools.
Shopping hints? What’s next — how to rid the fly tying room of dust bunnies?
Then again, Lefty Kreh’s already nailed down the whole casting and knot tying thing, maybe you’re finally finding that profitable niche, though I still think there’s room for relationship advice for fly fishing’s single and lovelorn. Think about it.
In all my 60years as a tool maker I have never heard of tying a fishing fly with copper wire
however it is logical to do so ,THANKS TOM.