The right wire to use?

[soloact]

I've been a lurker for awhile and finally got up enough courage to sign up. Anyway, I love building DIY pedal and messen with electronics. I was just curious, the biggest problem I encounter is the thin single gauge wire most kits provide.  It constantly breaks off at the stress points: jacks, switches, PC board, etc.  Is there a better multi stand wire out there that I can use instead of the thin single strand? I've opened up a couple of big box pedals and they definitely use a larger gauge.

[petemoore]

  Never liked solid core offboard wiring, strongly prefer stranded wires.
   See Smallbear stocklist for suitable or exceptionally easy to use wire [pretinned/stranded, easy to de-insulate type is hard to beat IME].

[soloact]

Much appreciated - sounds like a great place to start and the pre-tinned is a great idea. I never thought of that.

[bhill]

Ditto on the Small Bear wire. It is all I've used for the last 20 - 30 builds. Get the 24 gauge.

[fpaul]

I used a roll of the small bear wire and never had a problem.  Then I bought a multi color pack of velleman stranded and had an immense amount of troubles with it. I had to replace virtually every wire I used. I now use solid core telephone wire and have never had a wire break.  You have to strip off the outer sheath to get to several different colored wires inside. It is easier to push through holes and helps support the board if needed. I doubt I'll ever use anything else for pedals.  I was using radio shack wire but the telephone company came out and replaced my home line after a storm knocked it down.  They left about 25 feet of 4 conductor teflon coated laying out in my yard. Sweet.

[R.G.]

I prefer 22AWG or 24AWG stranded, vinyl insulation.

Unless you're really good with stripping technique, you nick solid wires when you strip them, and with any flexure, they break at the nick. Stranded can break from this as well, but is much tougher because it's more flexible for the size of the conductor.

The biggest thing is to get good wire strippers and not nick the conductors. I have a long term love affair going with the Patco PTS-10 thermal strippers, but they cost some money.

[G. Hoffman]

I'll put in a word here for Teflon insulated wire.  I love it!  It doesn't melt while your are soldering. 

I get mine HERE.  It's a bit more expensive than PVC, but it is very nice to work with.  22 AWG, for pedal work.  I've got some 24 AWG, but it just feels too thin for me.  ALWAYS stranded wire, though.  I dislike solid core wire.

I'm with R.G. on the thermal strippers too, though using Teflon insulation I had to go with the PTS-30 (I think that's the number). 


Gabriel

[DavenPaget]

I'll put in a word here for Teflon insulated wire.  I love it!  It doesn't melt while your are soldering. 

I get mine HERE.  It's a bit more expensive than PVC, but it is very nice to work with.  22 AWG, for pedal work.  I've got some 24 AWG, but it just feels too thin for me.  ALWAYS stranded wire, though.  I dislike solid core wire.

I'm with R.G. on the thermal strippers too, though using Teflon insulation I had to go with the PTS-30 (I think that's the number). 


Gabriel

Meh . I use 24AWG everywhere except for higher power areas where i use 20/22 .

[Gurner]

Just bear in mind that teflon is as non stick with wire insulation as it is with pots & pans ......and therefore some mechanical wire strippers don't strip teflon insulation , the jaws just slide over it!

[DavenPaget]

Just bear in mind that teflon is as non stick with wire insulation as it is with pots & pans ......and therefore some mechanical wire strippers don't strip teflon insulation , the jaws just slide over it!

They might be non-stick but not much ... i always end up stretching the teflon when cutting them , i didn't know teflon wires existed ... my headphones is full of them