Favorite place to buy bulk copper wire?

[Ed_Flecko]

Does anyone have a favorite place, either online or locally, to buy bulk copper wire?

I'd like to make my own custom battery cables as well as other jobs for my truck and I'm looking for someone that sells nice quality wire in all sizes.

Suggestions?

Ed

 

[skyactiv]

Google Platt and see if they have a store near you.

 

[Joel_MD]

I would like to know too. I know Grainger has a good selection, but their prices tend to be high.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Google Platt and see if they have a store near you.


Thanks skyactiv!...there's a couple of locations in my area!

Ed

 

[earlyre]

No votes for "the empty storefront/house down the street" ?

I kid of course.

 

[MolaKule]

Google "Wireman."

 

[sleddriver]

I'd suggest calling a few of the electrical suppliers (anixter, graybar, etc.) in your area. Years ago I ordered bulk wire from Interstate. I had to buy a whole 500' spool though. If you only want it /ft, it'll cost more. Depends on how much you need.

 

[punisher]

Welding supply houses. Lots of thick cable choices, solder/crimp lugs etc.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I used to do purchasing for a company that builds pipe organs. We used all sorts of stranded insulated copper wire from 24 gauge switchboard cable, all the way to 1/0 gauge.

I always found Buckman Wire and Cable to have the best price and availability (http://buckmanwire.com). They'll sell you 5 feet or 1,000+ feet, and put it on a spool for you. Only drawback is you'll pay for shipping from Missouri. You'll have to know what wire type/rating it is, or tell them the application and they'll suggest one.

9-strand THHN is pretty economical, but it's stiff due to the low strand count. UL1015 is a general purpose hook-up wire that is pretty low cost, but not sure what gauge it goes down to-- 2 I think....

For speaker wire, audio/video wire, try www.sewelldirect.com. Can't be their prices either.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Good prices, fast and free shipping, high quality tinned copper cabling:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/

Most people do not have the right tools and skills to properly terminate large cable. This joint makes up custom cables for a very good price.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables

While I have a hydraulic crimper, is is no good for anything over thin walled 4 awg ring terminals, and I will likely have this joint make all my cabling in the future.

I am helping an older friend wire up Additional batteries for a ridiculous stereo. He is insisting on soldering the lugs and making his own 0 gauge cables. I predict disaster and hope the failure(s) occur where the fuses can protect the wiring. As the batteries are group 31 Northstar AGM with 1150 CCA each, And combined short circuit amperage could be well into fukushima territory

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
Good prices, fast and free shipping, high quality tinned copper cabling:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/

Most people do not have the right tools and skills to properly terminate large cable. This joint makes up custom cables for a very good price.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables

While I have a hydraulic crimper, is is no good for anything over thin walled 4 awg ring terminals, and I will likely have this joint make all my cabling in the future.

I am helping an older friend wire up Additional batteries for a ridiculous stereo. He is insisting on soldering the lugs and making his own 0 gauge cables. I predict disaster and hope the failure(s) occur where the fuses can protect the wiring. As the batteries are group 31 Northstar AGM with 1150 CCA each, And combined short circuit amperage could be well into fukushima territory


Cool...thank you!

Have you ever purchased any cables from them at all, or know anyone who has? How's their quality?

Ed

 

[SHOZ]

I get mine here.

http://www.delcity.net/store/Wire-&-Cable/

 

[Michael_P]

Fastenal

 

[wrcsixeight]

Originally Posted By: Ed_Flecko
Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
Good prices, fast and free shipping, high quality tinned copper cabling:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/

Most people do not have the right tools and skills to properly terminate large cable. This joint makes up custom cables for a very good price.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables

While I have a hydraulic crimper, is is no good for anything over thin walled 4 awg ring terminals, and I will likely have this joint make all my cabling in the future.

I am helping an older friend wire up Additional batteries for a ridiculous stereo. He is insisting on soldering the lugs and making his own 0 gauge cables. I predict disaster and hope the failure(s) occur where the fuses can protect the wiring. As the batteries are group 31 Northstar AGM with 1150 CCA each, And combined short circuit amperage could be well into fukushima territory


Cool...thank you!

Have you ever purchased any cables from them at all, or know anyone who has? How's their quality?

Ed


I've ordered the tinned copper 8awg, about 80 feet worth, for my Solar system. It is actual 8 gauge, not SAE 8 gauge which is thinner.

Here is where I removed 14 awg aluminum wire, and shoehorned the 8 awg tinned marine wire to the "Precision Watt Meter's" circuit board.

It used to get hot passing 41 Amps at 14.5v. Now it barely gets warm.

I have not yet purchased any cabling thicker than 8 awg from them. It arrived in California, from Florida, 4 business days after ordering, both times. I assume custom made cables would add a day or 2.