Music wire?

[Zwoobz]

Flite Test, for some of their scratch builds, say that they were using "music wire" or "piano wire". What exactly is that and why is it called that?

 

[jhitesma]

Wiki to the rescue! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_wire

Of course most actual "music/piano wire" you see in the hobby market isn't suitable for use as actual piano strings...but it's the same basic stuff just not quite to the same quality constraints.

Basically it's a stiff high carbon drawn steel wire.

 

[Zwoobz]

Thanks!

 

[rcspaceflight]

I just use MIG welding wire. Very similar, easy to find, but it comes in spools so it has a slight curve to it. I always use coffee stirrer straws to ensure that the wire doesn't bend/flex.

 

[RoyBro]

This is probably what you are looking for; from K&S Engineering.

The .047" (1.19 mm) and .032" (.81 mm) are common diameters for control rods and such.

 

[lonewolf7717]

I always take the opportunity in threads such as this to mention a bundle of marking flags at home depot or lowes is cheap as beans and unless you need a superbly long control rod (in which case i would be looking at carbon rod) they work amazingly well.

 

[Zwoobz]

Interesting, Thanks everybody!

 

[vk2dxn]

Hey man
I use fencing tie wire that is commonly found here in aus at all hardware shops.
Does the same job

 

[Tritium]

Likewise I always mention filler wire used for TIG welding.

Thurmond