Good Source for Copper Wire?

The New Steve H · Post by **The New Steve H** » 18 May 2011, 18:08

Can anyone point me to a good source for copper wire? I know it sounds silly, but Radio Shack only has three or four colors, and Home Depot is useless for anything smaller than 14 gauge. I would like to have spools of 18-22 gauge wire in maybe six or seven colors. I don't want to drive all over town looking for each spool.

I miss the days when phone guys used to leave piles of multicolored solid wire lying in trash piles all over the place.

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 18 May 2011, 19:03

Apex Jr. is a good supplier. they have great prices on wire and other surplus parts.

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 18 May 2011, 21:36

I score mine out of old VGA cables and/or the guts of CRT screens that people basically throw away these days.

ppluis0 · Post by **ppluis0** » 19 May 2011, 00:30

Hi Steve,

If you find a pc keyboard in a dumpster, the connecting cable usually has wires insulated with polyethilene and, at least, 4 colours.

Always carry a wire cutter in your pocket...

Cheers,
Jose

Zipslack · Post by **Zipslack** » 29 May 2011, 02:06

Have you considered scrap ethernet cable? Comes in stranded or solid, with 8 conductors (four solid colors and four striped).

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 29 May 2011, 05:31

apex jr. has really nice Teflon coated wire for very reasonable prices. this stuff is great because your iron can't burn it. I believe it only comes in stranded and possibly solid at apex jr. personally, I use this belden prebonded 20 gauge stuff I get from a local shop. they are running low though, and it's old surplus so I'm not sure they will getting any more in. I might have to go that Teflon route in the future.
all the scrap around here gets scooped up immediately by these guys in overloaded pickup trucks before you can say "free shit".