I need some more actuator wires for my tortoises. I remember seeing somewhere that you can just use piano wire for replacements but i'm not sure of the size, anyone? The wire that comes with the tortoise is .025 so am I looking for .025 piano wire? I checked on the Circuitron website and couldn't find any info.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Yep that would be it!
I picked up one size bigger from my local hobby shop. The .025 is just a lil too flimsy for the throw distances I use.
Tip: Don't try to use rail nipper or wire cutters to cut the piano wire. It will have to be sheared in a bolt head cutter. (Sometimes found as little complete circles near the turn radius of the wire cutters)
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I have found piano wire in my local hardware store and local hobby shop. I was even able to find brass tubing in my locally owned hardware store. I went to a little larger wire. I used a small drill bit to open up the hole in the plastic bracket.No big deal. I use a Dremel with fibergalss cutoff disc to cut the wire. Using wire cutters will change the cutters into wire strippers.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I used the wire found in hobby or flower stores like Michaels or HobbyLobby which is used for flower arrangements. I drilled the hole slightly bigger in the Tortoise to accept the wire. It was stronger than the supplied wire, and I needed longer lengths. Works fine.
Hal
I use .039 piano wire (mail ordered) and cut it with an old pair of lineman's pliers for rough cut and 7" dykes for final trim after installation. My base is 1-2" foam over 3/8 ply. Never a problem.
Please be careful of flying ends when making the cuts. Floral wire may not be stiff enough for a long reach.
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
Spearo, it depends on how thick your layout base plus roadbed plus cork is. For anything over 1 1/4" thick I use .032 piano wire from the local hardware store. Keep one of the original wires handy to use as a pattern to duplicate the bends. Hint: you may need to remove the screw so you can enlarge the hole for the wire in the moving head. Be sure to put the screw back in to hold the wire. Another hint: I use DCC friendly turnouts and offset the tortoise just enough to go up through one of the rivets on the throwbr. I think the rivet will last longer than a hole in the plastic bar.John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
Thanks all, I appreciate your help. I had somehow misplaced an entire packet of wires so just need to purchase 5 at their original size. Circuitron tech help did finally get back to me and they do sell the wires seperately for $0.60 each. I think I'll try the LHS first.
I picked up some wire at a welding supply shop. I only need a couple pieces and they gave me 4 that are about 3 feet long. lifetime supply for my layout. stainless.
Most any machine shop or fabrication shop will have stainless wire that is .035 or so in diameter, it is called Mig wire. It's used in mig welders. They will most likely give you whatever you need but an offer of a couple bucks will probably get you enough for a lifetime of railroading. They will have it in either stainless or carbon steel. As stated beforewatch the ends during handling as it comes on a roll and will have a memory to it. You can work with it but the ends will get ya if you don't respect them.