Super Flex wire

Jeff Kane at Train Tender sells it. I bought a roll many years ago. I assume he still sells it. It was reasonable at the time. You can buy super flex or wire sold as such but finding the real item, made up of many more super fine strands of copper, is not that easy on the auction sites.

Pete

I bought a roll from Olson Toy Train Parts

@Norton posted:

Jeff Kane at Train Tender sells it. I bought a roll many years ago. I assume he still sells it. It was reasonable at the time.

Jeff has added a note to the bulk wire section of his website...

         All Bulk wire Sales suspended for now 2-21-22

         Call for availability 585-229-2050

I know it's past 2-21-22, but I'd suggest calling anyway.  Sounds like there could be a supply situation (What's new?).

However, he would be my go-to for this item (SW-22)...price and assurance of getting the real stuff.

OTOH, 100' is quite a bit for random repairs.  Looks like he may still have it available by the foot.

Just a suggestion...

See Davis Lyons' website for
SUPER-FLEX SINGLE CONDUCTOR WIRE BY WIRE PLEX™
VERY FINE-STRANDED, TINNED WIRE MINIMIZES BREAKS AT SOLDER JOINTS
NON CRACKING, EXTRA-FLEXIBLE 105 STRANDS OF WIRE HENCE THE NAME SUPER-FLEX!
SW22 #22 GAUGE BLACK; 105 STRANDED. RECOMMENDED FOR HIGHER CURRENT USE-WHISTLE TENDERS, STEAM ENGINES, PICK UP ROLLERS, DIESEL ETC.

15 ft card pack
$8.00
50 foot spool 100 Foot SPOOL    200 Foot SPOOL
$15.00          $28.00          $50.00

500 foot spool
$125.00

The stuff is all over eBay but it must have silicone insulation not vinyl or PVC.  Searching with the term Silicone Wire or Flexible Silicone  will bring it up.  Just make sure to look in ITEM SPECIFICS within each ad  for the insulation material. If you see vinyl or PVC move on to the next ad.  Note however the silicone insulation is not as abrasive resistance as PVC. I often add a short piece of heat shrink over the super-flex in areas which rub against metal like where the wire passes through a hole in the frame.           j

I've been using stranded silicon wire from Amazon.  It comes in various gauges and its a multi color pack.  I've had good success with it.

Amazon.com/Striveday Wire

Just googled silicon supper flex wire 20 awg.

sold on Amazon the one I looked at was 10 ft of Red and 10ft of black both six foot lengths. The copper wire is 100 stands.
I did not look for a bulk spool just be careful that the silicon jacket is thin and not really large as some of this wire is made that way.
I only use the Silicon supper flex wire on my Prewar Tin plate trains. Better than the cloth covered solid wire that Lionel used and will last a lot longer.

Thank you all for the information, I didn't realize that all super-flex was not the same, some of what was listed as super-flex is quite stiff, I'll use it up where I can and be a smarter buyer from now on.

Thanks once more,

Ray

Silicone vs silicon.   Silicon is a natural chemical element used in the production of solid state electronics. Silicone is a man made polymer which uses silicon in it's formulation. It is a rubber like compound used in caulking, electrical insulation and other applications which require heat resistance and flexibility.           j

@Rayin"S" posted:

Thank you all for the information, I didn't realize that all super-flex was not the same, some of what was listed as super-flex is quite stiff, I'll use it up where I can and be a smarter buyer from now on.

Thanks once more,

Ray

Ray,  many sellers on the auction site that you speak of don't have an ethical bone in their body, next time read the fine print.                      j

@JohnActon posted:

Ray,  many sellers on the auction site that you speak of don't have an ethical bone in their body,...                j

My experiences have been just the opposite...🤔

Mark in Oregon

Here is a source for Super Flex wire, cords and light bulbs.

http://wire-plex.com/

@Strummer posted:

My experiences have been just the opposite...🤔

Mark in Oregon

Mark, the vast majority of my experiences  have been positive.   However I am closing in on 2000 transactions and have run across my share of dishonest or incompetent people.  Let me point out when I was actively selling one problem I had was with train collectors swapping parts and returning the item they purchased.  This was a prime reason I stopped selling.             j

I see that there are a lot of silicone flexible wires out there...don't know which ones are safe.  Is there some sort of listing I should be looking for ?  I know here you look for the UL listing

@JohnActon posted:

Mark, the vast majority of my experiences  have been positive.   However I am closing in on 2000 transactions and have run across my share of dishonest or incompetent people.  Let me point out when I was actively selling one problem I had was with train collectors swapping parts and returning the item they purchased.  This was a prime reason I stopped selling.             j

I'm one who is becoming more cautious, my own experience plus that of a good friend.

He is the most reputable seller I know, but has had a deadbeat take parts off an excellent rated piece and return them with inferior parts from his own train.

Ray

FWIW,  super flex is used by many auto mfg's for circuits traveling beside the hinge of the passenger doors.