ChuckT Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 I have some .013” (.33mm) piano wire coming in the mail that I want to use to simulate push rods on a radial engine. The wire is made from spring steel but it comes in a roll which I believe imparts a bit of a curve to the wire when cut into short sections. Has anyone out there had success straightening piano wire? If so, can you share your technique? Thanks. BiggTim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 I can't speak for piano wire specifically, but most wire can be straightened by rolling it against a hard smooth surface with a metal ruler or such object. Barring that, I expect you could always stretch it between a couple of secure attachments for a while to train it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quang Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 I don’t know about piano wire but I guess it’s akin to guitar strings. If so, it’s made from tempered steel and will stay straight especially if cut in short lengths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 'The wire is made from spring steel but it comes in a roll which I believe imparts a bit of a curve to the wire when cut into short sections.' Wikopedia: Spring steel is a name given to a wide range of steels[1] used in the manufacture of springs, prominently in automotive and industrial suspension applications. These steels are generally low-alloy manganese, medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant deflection or twisting. Spring steel will be straight. You can bet on that. Sincerely, Mark Lothar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckT Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share Posted April 5, 2020 Thanks guys for the info. I though I was going to have to straighten the wire out, but it sounds like its going to be fine. Stay safe, Chuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Another way to straighten wire is to twist it between two points. If you can get it into a drill chuck, you can wrap the other end around something solid, and start spinning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody V Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Any specific reason for piano wire? Styrene rod stock is much easier to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckT Posted April 12, 2020 Author Share Posted April 12, 2020 I need a consistent thin thickness that I cant achieve with styrene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody V Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 23 hours ago, ChuckT said: I need a consistent thin thickness that I cant achieve with styrene. I've found Evergreen rod stock to be accurate and no variation in diameter. https://evergreenscalemodels.com/collections/14-polystyrene-rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckT Posted April 13, 2020 Author Share Posted April 13, 2020 I agree, evergreen is good stuff, but I need a diameter of .01" (.26mm). The smallest evergreen offers is .02" (.5mm) Thanks though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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