1/16" Diameter Wire for a Specialty Tool

[gotwheels]

I have a specialty tool that that I use that is similar to an awl, but has ~ 5/8" long straight tip, 1/16" in diameter. I have used the shank of a 1/16" drill bit for this tool. In the application there can be some slight prying and the drill bit is so hard and fragile that it snaps, with any bending pressure.

Would someone recommend a wire (1/16" diameter) that has stiffness but is malleable enough to bend a little before breaking. I am not familiar with wire types (maybe a type of welding rod?) and hope someone can help.

Thanks in advance for assistance.

 

[four.cycle]

knitting needle maybe?

 

[marinusdees]

Look on flea bay for .0625" stainless wire, or, Google on an orthodontic supply company and search their inventory. Will do what you want.

 

[Tig Master]

1/16" tig tungsten

T

 

[OccupantRJ]

.062 music wire. It is spring steel. I will look to see if I have any that diameter, if I can remember to do so tomorrow. You could cut a straight section out of a tension spring that has long hooked ends.

 

[jim faston]

Music/piano wire. Good hardware stores should stock it.

 

[kkroger]

Music Wire is your answer...

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

1/16" dowel pin?

 

[Ohmthis]

Tungsten i believe might be too brittle. A piece of 1/16 stainless tig filler would do the trick.

 

[hunter1151]

Spring steel.............or sharpen the other end of the drill bit.........it is softer on the shank.

 

[lmalcomb]

Spring steel music wire can be found at hobby shops that deal in RC planes.

 

[kbs2244]

Look for air plane "safety wire"
They use it to keep bolts from getting loose.
Standard procedure is to twist into a two wire rope.

 

[rlitman]

1/16" tig tungsten

T

This is way more brittle than a drill bit.

Look for air plane "safety wire"
They use it to keep bolts from getting loose.
Standard procedure is to twist into a two wire rope.

This is dead soft and bendable, as it's designed to be twisted.

.062 music wire. It is spring steel.

Any hobby shop will have music wire. THIS is by far the best choice for this use.

 

[Tig Master]

This is way more brittle than a drill bit.



This is dead soft and bendable, as it's designed to be twisted.



Any hobby shop will have music wire. THIS is by far the best choice for this use.

I have been using small tungsten's 1" long in a pin vise for years and they are quite useful and have been tig welding for 30 years.Yes you can break it but as a scribe they work very well.

T

 

[Bill Bowman]

The wire used for suspended ceilings is about 1/16 and very hard to bend?

 

[gotwheels]

Thanks to all for the suggestions, I will pursue the music wire & the SS TIG filler wire. This site is great with information sharing & the knowledge!