I know what modellers do with it, but what is it's intended purpose?. How is it sold (quantity/diameter/length/cost) and where would I need to go to get some?

Thanks,

Ralph

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"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." - Metallica

Well, you get 2 wooden dowels, 3/4" dia and about 4" long. Then, you get 3 feet of small flexible music wire and attach it in the middle of each dowel. So, when you cross your arms, you have a nice big loop that will go over someone's head...

Traditional hobby stores usually have a display rack of it. I think it comes in lengths of 30". Multiple diameters are available from fairly fine (~30 gauge) up to nearly a 1/4".

It's usually called piano wire, and, as I understand it, is used as the strings in a piano sound board.

I use it for motor hooks, shock cord anchors, launch rods, and rocket construction tools.

Doug

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YORF member #11

36" long.

Most Hobby Shops carry K&S brand for their music wire (not to be confused with the 12" long display that mostly has brass and aluminum tubing & rod). Starts at .015" diameter, then .020, .025, .032 (1/32), .039, .047 (3/64"), 1/16" and so on up to 1/4".

- George Gassaway

In hobby shops like Hobby Town, they're marketed more towards the RC crowd. Music wire can be used for linkage or axles or hinges or whatever your imagination can think up.

http://www.answers.com/topic/piano-wire-2

Normally sold as each, in diameters from 0.039 inches to 9/32 inch, lengths are typically 36" and costs range from as little as 80 cents to $4.50 for the larger ones.

As Doug says, for rocketry you'll usually see it used for launch rods. I've got a type of helicopter recovery rocket that uses it like a swivel. Some boost gliders use it for holding flaps until ejection causes deployment. Some kits use it for detailing (antennae).

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Don
NAR 53455
"Carpe Diem"

George has it exactly right. Look for the 36 inch K&S rack in a hobby shop or, sometimes, in craft stores. In airplanes I use various diameters for control pushrods and landing gear legs. Rubber power models also use it for motor/propeller hooks and various other such things. In rocketry so far I just use 1/8 inch for launch rods, though if/when I need a 3/16ths rod, that's where I'll get it.

The prices Don quotes are a little on the high side.....

Thanks folks.

Your help on this forum has been invaluable. I'm learning as I go and really appreciate all the advice and answers to my newby questions. I've been bit by the rocket bug and really don't know anyone to ask personally.

Guess I'll check the place I've been buying rockets. I want it to mount fins while the wood filler dries.

Ralph

PS... Mycrofte, a piece of narrow rope or a stocking works well for your purpose too.

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"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." - Metallica

I just visit the local music store's piano section with my trusty side cutting pliars.

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I love sanding.

You must have a special 'dampener' that silences that irratating 'twang' after the snip. It can be QUITE loud!

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Jon
SAM #0396
BAR 02/07
NAR 86940
KF4GUL
Aim high, fly straight!

I just run real fast. Kinda like dine-n-dash.

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I love sanding.