.006 and .008 brass wire, straight not coil

[propmeup1]

I been looking for .006 and .008 brass wire not coiled but straight. I use to get it from "Special Shapes" but it looks like their site is gone. Detail Associates has it but it cost a small fortune just for a small amount.  I already order some but need to find larger amount then 4 12" pieces per pack for $5.

Anyone have an idea where to buy it.

Thank you,
Keith

[Chris333]

Does it have to be brass?

https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_wire/p/1100/Default.aspx

[wazzou]

Agree with Chris.
I love the Phosphor Bronze wire by Tichy.

[peteski]

I'm also bemoaning the demise of Special Shapes Company. About a decade ago it was acquired by K&S Metals (the brass tubing company that has been around for a long time).  For a while they kept Special shapes as a separate entity (with a basic website, which was basically an online copy of the Special Shapes' catalog).  I used to place phone orders with Special Shapes, and it was always a pleasure.

I recently wanted to buy some more miniature brass shapes, but like you I found out that Special shapes is no more, and whatever SSC products K&S kept is just a small portion of the variety that was available from Special Shapes.   We discussed this recently in https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47840.msg631543#msg631543

Chris mentions a source of straight phosphor bronze wire. It is an excellent recommendation as that material is stiffer than brass, yet it solders just as easy.  However sometimes their wire has very slight bow in it.

[garethashenden]

Coiled wire isn’t that hard to straighten. Clamp one end in a vice and hold the other with a pair of pliers, needle nose are good. Wrap it once around the pliers. Pull it taught, then give it a short tug and it will straighten. Don’t pull so hard it snaps. With thinner wire this can be done with two pairs on pliers held in your hands instead of the vice. I’ve done this with wires ranging between .004” and .063” and once you’re used to it it’s quite repeatable. Coiled wire is cheaper, more readily available, and easier to store than straight wire.

[Chris333]

Didn't look it up, but Cloverhouse might have brass wire.

Oh not that small though.
https://cloverhouse.com/Cart/index.php?cPath=64&osCsid=4dc7najeelcqpnkus311hek971

[PJPickard]

Hi,

I copied this from another forum I am part of:

FYI KS Metals and Special Shapes are/were the same company. They seemed to phase out the SS line due to slow sales but offer all as a special order. So KS will make most old SS offerings. They are all milled from solid for all T C and L shapes.

Rob is the guy that handles all quotes and orders for special orders.

ksmetals2rob@aol.com

Also note they will precut and material to length too.

Just a happy customer.

[peteski]

Hi,

I copied this from another forum I am part of:

FYI KS Metals and Special Shapes are/were the same company. They seemed to phase out the SS line due to slow sales but offer all as a special order. So KS will make most old SS offerings. They are all milled from solid for all T C and L shapes.

Rob is the guy that handles all quotes and orders for special orders.

ksmetals2rob@aol.com

Also note they will precut and material to length too.

Just a happy customer.

Thanks for letting us know. That is a great news.  So they still have those items, they just don't  advertise them?  That's too bad. It would be nice if they made a mention of that on their website (so people like me are aware of that). 

I don't need those small structural brass shapes often or large quantities, but it is good to know that I can still get them.   I did notice that those small ones were milled (not formed or extruded).

[mmagliaro]

Hi,

I copied this from another forum I am part of:

FYI KS Metals and Special Shapes are/were the same company. They seemed to phase out the SS line due to slow sales but offer all as a special order. So KS will make most old SS offerings. They are all milled from solid for all T C and L shapes.

Rob is the guy that handles all quotes and orders for special orders.

ksmetals2rob@aol.com

Also note they will precut and material to length too.

Just a happy customer.

Can he do the old .006" wall tubing (the "thin wall" sizes that Special Shapes used to sell?)  That's the product I miss the most since Special Shapes disappeared.

[propmeup1]

I found it, the bronze wire that is. Had it from SS but i talked to Rob at K&S and he set me up. He also said when it's gone it's gone.  At $7.39 a pop for a 3' I went and ordered 20 of them .  Oh well I'll use them in no time for what i use it for.
      I do have to find a supplier of .006 and .008 wire and if it's coiled i can straighten it, just need to find some.
Thanks for the tips,
Keith

[peteski]

That sounds like K&S will only be selling whatever remaining stock they have from Special Shapes?  That's too bad. I guess I should see what of the small brass shapes they still have left in stock.

You also piqued my curiosity.  For what in the world you will need (and quickly use) up sixty feet of phosphor bronze wire?!

[propmeup1]

I'm more of a professional ship modeler then I do RR even though I have a 11' X 13' walk in N scale layout.     I do a lot of scratchbuilding and in 1:192 it makes good for the railings from the 01 level up. On the main deck the railing are either chain or wire in real life but they usually have a slight sage to them. From 01 and up they are welded tubes and that where the wire comes in. I solder it all together.

[peteski]

I'm more of a professional ship modeler then I do RR even though I have a 11' X 13' walk in N scale layout.     I do a lot of scratchbuilding and in 1:192 it makes good for the railings from the 01 level up. On the main deck the railing are either chain or wire in real life but they usually have a slight sage to them. From 01 and up they are welded tubes and that where the wire comes in. I solder it all together.

Wow!  Cool!  Awesome model!  Those really take lots of patience (especially when detailing them to the level you do). 

[propmeup1]

Thank you for your kind words,
KTB

[mmagliaro]

Search for "Infini Models brass wire"

They sell packs of 18 pieces, 10.5" each, straight, for about $15.   Still not cheap, but it's a little better deal than the detail associates packs of 4 pieces for around $4.
They sell them in metric sizes, not inch.    The smallest are .065 mm (around .002" !!! )   They also have 0.1mm, 0.15mm, and 0.2mm, which would be  .004",  .0059", and .0078"   (close to .006 and .008)