Gotta Question For Ya......

[Dull Knife]

I'm trying to find a source for 1/3 mm Dia. spring wire. This wire is needed to make a coil spring for the Wood Pecker tooth pic dispenser. The article is in the latest issure of Woodcarving Illustrated.

I've got the wood parts all done, but haven't been able to locate the wire in my area. Good Grief....even my favorite ACE hardware store doesn't have it.

thankx

[uvawyo]

The spring that hold the brushes in place in an alternator might work. Old alternators can be found at junk yards or maybe you could get just the spring at an auto parts store

[Soggy]

Just a thought ; but maybe the spring from a ball-point pen might be reworked to provide what you need?
Soggy

[Robson Valley]

If you take 1" = 25mm, then the wire size is approximately 0.012". That's the diameter of the #1 and #5 strings on a bluegrass banjo. You know any banjo/guitar pickers? They might have old strings kicking around. Or. . . . you're off to the music store!

[Inadv]

Robson,

I could be wrong, and that would be pretty normal for me, but I'm very familiar with stringed instrument wire. A .012" instrument wire would not have enough "spring" to accomplish what Dull Knife needs for his project. The instrument wire is usually a composite (contingent on diameter) with a core and a wound outer shell. A larger diameter might work, but I suspect that it would need to be at least .024" which is a popular G, or third string on a guitar.

L.P.

[Buffalo Bif]

Perhaps a little redsign so the woodpecker is counterweighted to return upright? Pivot would have to be smooth.

[Midnight Carver]

I don't have one here to check, but I wonder if you could use the spring from a clothes pin? Good luck

Eric

[cgm]

Like Soggy said or how about reworking a paper clip
Carl

[chipmunk]

hi, i use wire [silver wire] at craft stores [walmart] it's about 25-30thous. that i have used it on necklaces and jewelry it's very strong and holds shape real well it's covered with silver or stainless[ not sure] it's a hard spring wire and comes in a pk. of about 6 ft. for around $5 it's a lot stiffer then banjo strings and willn't discolor i've used it on vars. projects where a thin sturdy wire is needed

[northwood bob]

I just checked Brownells (Montezuma, IA) they have several sizes and types of spring wire and springs. www.brownells.com