Tensioned Micro Coils. The next step.

[X-Puppy]

I used steel music wire for my 3/32nd rod. I used my Torch to soften it up before making the bend. I will say that the same music wire broke when trying to do it without the Torch. It's working great and allows all the tension I can apply for a nice tight coil. Perfect for the thicker RXW.

If your bending thicker rod you'll probably need a Torch to do it. I found the thicker stuff at Lowes.

Lemme see if I have a pic...

Here we go... excuse the mess:

More recent shot of the rod I was actually talking about.

 

[etherealink]

The brass was too soft for the 1/16" but in 3/32" I have found no problems with it....

1/8" snapped when bending

 

[MacTechVpr]

I used steel music wire for my 3/32nd rod. I used my Torch to soften it up before making the bend. I will say that the same music wire broke when trying to do it without the Torch. It's working great and allows all the tension I can apply for a nice tight coil. Perfect for the thicker RXW.

If your bending thicker rod you'll probably need a Torch to do it. I found the thicker stuff at Lowes.


Lemme see if I have a pic...

Now you're talkin X…nothin' flows uphill like NeX-Tel.

Good luck.

 

[oplholik]

I used steel music wire for my 3/32nd rod. I used my Torch to soften it up before making the bend. I will say that the same music wire broke when trying to do it without the Torch. It's working great and allows all the tension I can apply for a nice tight coil. Perfect for the thicker RXW.

If your bending thicker rod you'll probably need a Torch to do it. I found the thicker stuff at Lowes.

Lemme see if I have a pic...

Here we go... excuse the mess:

More recent shot of the rod I was actually talking about.

Mess? LOL, you haven't seen my work bench.

 

[oplholik]

I use 5/64" rod, and that size in the music wire is tuff stuff to deal with. I didn't think about torching it tho. I'm anxious to see if the wire benders are heavy duty enough to handle it.

 

[Darryl Licht]

I used steel music wire for my 3/32nd rod. I used my Torch to soften it up before making the bend. I will say that the same music wire broke when trying to do it without the Torch. It's working great and allows all the tension I can apply for a nice tight coil. Perfect for the thicker RXW.

If your bending thicker rod you'll probably need a Torch to do it. I found the thicker stuff at Lowes.

Lemme see if I have a pic...

Here we go... excuse the mess:

More recent shot of the rod I was actually talking about.

Bent almost identically to my current coathangar 2.25mm rod. By moving the thumb screw hold down closer to the center of the mandrel it greatly improves the straightness of that starter leg. <-- IMHO!

 

[g3n3r1c]

How about grade O1 Steel Drill Rod?
I can get that in 3' lengths for a couple dollars at the local hardware store and it should bend just fine with a little heat applied

 

[TheBigE]

X-Puppy -Nice job on the bends! That rakish angle puts your leg nicely straight away from the coil and also plenty of room for the washers and wing nut to clear the upright as she spins.

 

[super_X_drifter]

Grabbing these 3 foot rods from hobby town now. No proper bender here though so I won't be canceling my Amazon order

 

[Kingboomer]

OK, so after reading, researching, and finally getting some wire, I'm giving these a shot. ATM all I can get my hands on is the wire my B&M sells, that's per foot. What I did was pound a nail in my work bench, twisted one end of my wire to it, and did the precision screwdriver/electrical tape trick. Just pulling down enough to get the coils to snap together seems to do the trick! Many thanks for this technique.


-Kingboomer

 

[super_X_drifter]

27 ga and a lil dealio on the rod to ensure that my wire never gets to close to the washers

 

[oplholik]

Hey, good idea on the dealio. I gotta remember that next time I go to the hardware store.

 

[etherealink]

27 ga and a lil dealio on the rod to ensure that my wire never gets to close to the washers

Sweet, but wait... no credit for the washer idea lol?

 

[super_X_drifter]

Sweet, but wait... no credit for the washer idea lol?

I knew I was forgetting something brother It sux getting old

 

[etherealink]

I knew I was forgetting something brother It sux getting old

Lol, it's cool. I was just giving you a bad time about it anyway

 

[muzichead]

27 ga and a lil dealio on the rod to ensure that my wire never gets to close to the washers

Pretty good idea using the shaft collar...

 

[X-Puppy]

Yea, really cool idea using that collar. I'll have to look for those next time I visit the hardware store.

 

[oplholik]

Had to go to Lowe's this morning, but didn't see any collars there, so will have to go uptown to the Ace hardware and see if they have any.

 

[puffon]

Had to go to Lowe's this morning, but didn't see any collars there, so will have to go uptown to the Ace hardware and see if they have any.

They are also called drill bit stops:
Shop Kobalt Kobalt 7-Piece Depth Stop at Lowes.com

You may find someplace selling individually.

 

[Darryl Licht]

27 ga and a lil dealio on the rod to ensure that my wire never gets to close to the washers

Lil dealio?

Is that in the same parts category as a thingamajig, whatchamacallit, or whose-e-whatsis???