Re: [TCML] Ballastwith adjustable Core

[David Speck <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ed,

You can use the straight parts of scrap wire coathangers if you have the 
patience to collect enough of them.


If you are in a hurry, many building supply places have bundles of 
little plastic flags used to mark out construction sites, or the 
perimeters if "Wireless [dog] Fence[s]".  Whack off the flag ends, and 
you will have a bundle of 100 fine, pretty straight soft iron wires.  
Dip each of them in paint to electrically insulate them from each other 
to reduce circulating currents and thus heating. 


You can also go to your local farm supply place and get a thousand foot 
coil of smooth iron electric fence wire for not too much.  To straighten 
it, clamp one end in a vise and unroll the longest straight run you can 
make in your shop.  Grasp the free end with heavy pliers and pull hard.  
The stretching will straighten the wire effectively before you cut it 
into short lengths. 


To straighten short pieces of soft wire, roll them between heavy boards 
till straight. 

HTH,

Dave

>     Where do you get soft iron wire these days?????  How do you 
> straighten it?
>
> Ed
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