When restoring a radio, I usually use a cloth covered wire. But the grid cap wires usually have a lighter flexible cloth covered wire than I have been able to buy. Maybe I missed it when ordering, but the only wire I can get is not very flexible and too heavy a gauge.

What gauge should I use for these grid cap wires that would replicate the flexible wire used back when the radio was new?

Thanks for your help.

Steve,
May I suggest using coax, and RG174 comes to mind. You can strip the shield or use the center conductor. The shield is braided (not twisted), and is more flexible, but will need insulation after you strip it from the cable.

marv

:When restoring a radio, I usually use a cloth covered wire. But the grid cap wires usually have a lighter flexible cloth covered wire than I have been able to buy. Maybe I missed it when ordering, but the only wire I can get is not very flexible and too heavy a gauge.
:
:What gauge should I use for these grid cap wires that would replicate the flexible wire used back when the radio was new?
:
:Thanks for your help.
:
:

:Steve,
:May I suggest using coax, and RG174 comes to mind. You can strip the shield or use the center conductor. The shield is braided (not twisted), and is more flexible, but will need insulation after you strip it from the cable.
:
:marv
:
::When restoring a radio, I usually use a cloth covered wire. But the grid cap wires usually have a lighter flexible cloth covered wire than I have been able to buy. Maybe I missed it when ordering, but the only wire I can get is not very flexible and too heavy a gauge.
::
::What gauge should I use for these grid cap wires that would replicate the flexible wire used back when the radio was new?
::
::Thanks for your help.
::
::
:
Just my opinion.
Terry

Steve,
I have several lengths of coax of various sizes, from toothpik to approx. 1/4" dia. Its all teflon inner/outer insulation, and silver plated wire. I've used the braided shields many times for the flexibility on speaker cones to voice coil connections.I'd be willing to share if you need relatively short lengths. Contact my email if interested.

marv

:Steve,
:May I suggest using coax, and RG174 comes to mind. You can strip the shield or use the center conductor. The shield is braided (not twisted), and is more flexible, but will need insulation after you strip it from the cable.
:
:marv
:
::When restoring a radio, I usually use a cloth covered wire. But the grid cap wires usually have a lighter flexible cloth covered wire than I have been able to buy. Maybe I missed it when ordering, but the only wire I can get is not very flexible and too heavy a gauge.
::
::What gauge should I use for these grid cap wires that would replicate the flexible wire used back when the radio was new?
::
::Thanks for your help.
::
::
:

Thanks Marv. There is a store near me that may have the coax. They carry a lot of electronics, so I'll try there and if they dont have it, I'll let you know.
Steve

:Steve,
:I have several lengths of coax of various sizes, from toothpik to approx. 1/4" dia. Its all teflon inner/outer insulation, and silver plated wire. I've used the braided shields many times for the flexibility on speaker cones to voice coil connections.I'd be willing to share if you need relatively short lengths. Contact my email if interested.
:
:marv
:
::Steve,
::May I suggest using coax, and RG174 comes to mind. You can strip the shield or use the center conductor. The shield is braided (not twisted), and is more flexible, but will need insulation after you strip it from the cable.
::
::marv
::
:::When restoring a radio, I usually use a cloth covered wire. But the grid cap wires usually have a lighter flexible cloth covered wire than I have been able to buy. Maybe I missed it when ordering, but the only wire I can get is not very flexible and too heavy a gauge.
:::
:::What gauge should I use for these grid cap wires that would replicate the flexible wire used back when the radio was new?
:::
:::Thanks for your help.
:::
:::
::
:

If it is the flexibility of braiding that you desire, don't bother piddling around trying to strip it off of some otherwise perfectly good coax.

Instead simply use a length of de-soldering braid and slide it into some sleeving for insulation.
Only about $4 at Radio-Shack:

Peter,
Maybe sometimes, but most solder wick is embedded with flux, solder flows quickly throughout, rendering it inflexible. Used it for many, many years as intended, and works great for wicking solder. I speak from experience, and today is #71. Coax shield braid will also flow quickly, but not like Solderwik. Used it as a backup, when my Solderwik went AWOL, but soaking it in liquid flux always helped.

marv

:If it is the flexibility of braiding that you desire, don't bother piddling around trying to strip it off of some otherwise perfectly good coax.
:
:Instead simply use a length of de-soldering braid and slide it into some sleeving for insulation.
:Only about $4 at Radio-Shack:
:
:
:

Wash the flux off with just one quick spay of flux cleaner or simply dunk it in.
Works fine!