What kind of cloth wire do you use?

I'm getting ready to start my first build and was just wondering what kind of cloth wire everyone is using?

Solid or stranded?

What gauge?

I was planning on 18ga solid for the heaters, not sure what to use for everything else.

Thanks

Here's the advice that I was given just a day or two ago:

"Keep in mind: solid 22ga wire for everything except the heater wiring (20 or 18ga) which should be stranded wire and by tradition is green). Cloth covered wire is easy to use as you don't need to strip it, you just push the insulation back (hence "pushback" wire)."

The question that I'll add is can I use solid 18 gauge pushback wire for the heater filaments? Is that a big no no?

I used solid-core for everything in my 5F2A, and I don't see any reason not to use it for everything in the future. It's a LOT easier to work with. That said, it may be a good idea to wire the bias supply (in a fixed-bias) amp with stranded, because if that connection gets interrupted then you're looking at fried tubes and possibly other components... :shock:

- Scott

So far, the cloth-covered wire I've used has been a pain to "push back." So I've been stripping it instead... much easier.

I bought two big rolls from stew mac. Very easy to push back and very hard to strip. I can reccomend it as good wire. I like it better than plastic because I can't burn through with my iron. I believe its 2 or 3 stranded.

I have used a 18Ga. for heaters and 20 Ga. Solid Cloth Wire 600 Volt Rating.

This wire has the lacquered cloth cover braid bonded to the PVC insulator. It gives a very clean cut. I got at tube depot.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/88nuno88/P1020460.jpg

So far, the cloth-covered wire I've used has been a pain to "push back." So I've been stripping it instead... much easier.
+1
Wire I have bought from Weber. I believe it is cloth but with plastic insulation inside. Good wire strippers are all you need. Even at that, mine were 20$ and they do the job nicely.

I use the cloth wire from Hoffman, it is easy to push back. I've used others, and they have NOT been easy to push back.

Use 18 gauge for the heaters; at least for the power tubes.

steven

So it sounds like the consensus is that whatever wire you get, it may or may not be easy to push back. If it is, then great. If it doesn't push back and stay back easily, then don't bother wasting your time and just go for the wire strippers instead.

I use the cloth wire from Hoffman, it is easy to push back. I've used others, and they have NOT been easy to push back.

Use 18 gauge for the heaters; at least for the power tubes.

steven

I used Hoffman's wire also; yes it is easy to push back. If you try to strip it it frays. I can see that this would be the opposite for varnished cloth covered wire. As far as stranded vs. solid for the heater string, I always felt this was better if you have to twist it tightly in pairs (as when using a drill for twisting).

I use the cloth wire from Hoffman, it is easy to push back. I've used others, and they have NOT been easy to push back.

Use 18 gauge for the heaters; at least for the power tubes.

steven

So can I run 18 to the power tubes heaters and then run 22 from the power tubes to the preamp tube? I ask because 18 won't fit in my preamp socket lugs without using an awl to enlarge the lugs.

I think that I'm going to try the wire from Weber since I'm going to be ordering from them anyway.

When I work with cloth wire - no matter if it's solid core (my fav) or stranded - I always dip the ends in white glue thinned with water. This helps the cut ends to stay neat looking and prevent them from fraying...
Just a little suggestion for the folks who are like me and like their wiring neat...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/Lostheart/13.jpg?t=1254293629