10 replies to this topic

[MSwiss]

After doing a batch of plated wire, 2 years ago, that builders loved, but I wasn't totally satisfied with, because some the mix of K & S and Malin wire that I used, was less than straight, I finally got enough confidence that the issue has been rectified,to pull the trigger on a new, much, much larger batch, using 100% K & S wire.

After giving my 14 year contact at K & S, a super-nice guy, grief over the quality, and him getting a bit surly with me, for the first time, I used my regular trips there, to purchase brass for my weighted guides, to always also buy, a package each of all the wire sizes I intended to plate, to check the quality.

Anyway, they either ran through all their bad wire, or assuming they run it through a straightener, fixed the issue with it.

What I picked up yesterday, and cut to 1 foot pieces, the last 2 days, looks absolutely great.

I will be shipping it out tomorrow, to the plater, and with transit time, and them being swamped with C19 related, medical work, I might it back in 7-10 days.

Price is TBD, but this time it will be sold as CR items, through Eagle and ERI distributors.

It will also vary a bit in price, based on the size.


.039". I can't believe most of the batch of wire, from last time, would lay this tight, and nice and flat, on this old table, full of steel dust.



Not sure if this pic was .047" or .062"


An even wider stretch of what I know is .062".


As mentioned, a much larger batch than last time.

50+ lbs.

[Pablo]

That's great news, thanks.

[917-30]

As I’m edging toward building my first chassis in almost 50 years (geez, that’s almost painful to say), I’m collecting parts, wire, jigs, etc.

So what is the purpose of plating the wire? Better solderability? Corrosion resistance from that nasty acid? Or is there a totally different purpose that I’m clueless about?

Thanks, Mike

[MSwiss]

You hit it, other than no prep required.

I guess that would fall into better solderability.

[Pablo]

- If you don't tin unplated wire, it has a tendency to rust. The plating eliminates having to tin it, which is tedious.

 

-Mike's plated stuff is a little stronger than unplated.

 

http://slotblog.net/...re-tinning-101/

[MSwiss]

George,
I found I still had some .078" and 1/8" inch plated wire from the last batch.

Here's what a solder joint looks on the .078" wire, with no prep, after sitting for 2 years.

Both pcs. were straight when I soldered them together.

I was able to put the 90 degree + plus bend in, holding the wire at the solder joint, with my left hand, just using my fingers, and bending the wire up, with pliers, in my right hand.

If you tried that with unplated, unprepped wire, I'm pretty sure the solder joint would shear apart, completely, before you were able to get that much of a bend on it.

Again, with just one pair of pliers.

In this case, the solder just sheared a tiny bit.

[Tim Neja]

SO when is it available?
 

[MSwiss]

Last I heard, I'll have it back here on Friday.

Once I have the invoice, and the price quoted me, is 100% confirmed, and the wire is in my possession, I'll post the price.

[MSwiss]

For those who missed it, the plated wire came in on Monday, and I listed the sizes available in my CR Parts Counter listing.

It was thoroughly tested when I received it, but was too busy filling orders to post the test results.

Along with this batch of wire, all K & S this time, being very straight, the adhesion is the same as last time, which is incredible.

I did everything I could, to get the plating to fail, and I was unable to.

I'll post a few pics from my testing, later tonight, after I get off of my lawn mower.

[MSwiss]

Pics from my wire testing, Monday night.

Text to follow:


.047" wire.


I'm able to bend over the wire to itself, using one set of pliers and my fingers.

IOW, I'm not using a 2nd set of pliers to hold the joint together, as I bend it.

Just my fingers which wouldn't keep the joint from fatiguing.


Now, checking for adhesion, by soldering a long joint that will be difficult to break.

The 2 long "L's" give me plenty of leverage, to eventually break the joint.


Using quite a bit of force, like breaking the wishbone on a turkey, on Thanksgiving, I'm able to break the joint.


I then confirm that only the solder failed, by pushing the wire together with my fingers, and quickly resoldering the split.(before I burn my fingers)

If the plating had failed, you would not see a smooth solder joint.

You would see the plating debris.


Here's a zero prep, one swipe, Mike Katz'esque, "We just had the Apocalypse, there is only so much solder left in the World", solder joint.



The same joint,on the other side.

[MSwiss]

Prices can be found, in the below link, starting with post #79.

http://slotblog.net/...-listing/page-4