DanC
Well-known member
looking at the "400 ft. wire storehouse" from HF (19.99 in an old catalog I have) is this stuff any good or will my motorcycle burn to the ground if I rewire it with this???
another HF ???
- Thread starter DanC
- Start date
rockwithjason
Well-known member
It's ok, but not what I would use. Get a roll of THHN stranded wire in the correct size and use good quality wire markers.
PAToyota
Well-known member
With the price of wire what it is these days, I cannot imagine that is good quality to sell at that price. As Jason says, just pick up some rolls of the good stuff in the sizes/colors you want and need. The little rack is sort of nice, but I'd wonder about scraping the insulation off where it goes through the sheetmetal...
GShelton
Well-known member
Not only that, but once you see the rack in person, it will make you laugh. It is this tiny little rack (about the size of a shoe box) and the wire feels cheap.
Inetmonkey
Well-known member
GShelton said:
Cheap usually seems to be synonymous with Harbor Freight. I've tried a couple of their "storehouse" items and with the exception of o-rings and cotter pins, most of them seem to come up short from what you think you're getting in the photos.
You might pay a little more for wire from an electrical supplier, but it will be better quality and who wants to burn down their house or garage for trying to save $10 on some wire?
Inetmonkey said:
No kidding. I bought the 1,000+ piece electrical terminal "storehouse". What a joke. 900+ pieces are non-insulated, and the insulated ones are junk.
They claim it is "industrial quality". Maybe in Chinese industry, but not here.
Del City has a good selection of vehicle and marine wire and components. All applicable specs are listed, and it appears to be good quality wire.
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?category=Spooled Wire & Cable&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?category=Spooled Wire & Cable&page=1
Junkman
Well-known member
I have wire that I purchased form Dell City 35 years ago, and it is as soft and pliable today as it was when purchased. The only difference is that it cost 1/10th of what wire costs today. It is amazing what you find when you clean out the garage of those boxes that haven't been opened since you packed them 3 moves ago. 
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
Hi, just wanted to say, I've bought the 'storehouse' wire, and used it in automotive wiring.
About one third of the rack is filled with things you may never need like speaker wire, lamp wire and even phone cord. So that lowers the value, and explains how they can keep the price way down. Phone patch, etc. sells very cheaply.
However;
As to the regular wire, it a lot cheaper than buying it in single rolls at HD, Lowe's, AutoZone etc.
The wire is about the same quality, but in longer runs with different colors than you usually see.
I would prefer buying wire in large spools in many different colors, but I have never found it for sale locally (75 mile radius), just the house wire and small spools of automotive at the big warehouses.
After 24 months of daily use the wire seems as good as any other wire I’ve bought.
And the storehouse does not ‘drag’ across the wires. The wire comes off the spool easily and without touching anything. That said, I tend to take the spool out and carry it to the job.
About one third of the rack is filled with things you may never need like speaker wire, lamp wire and even phone cord. So that lowers the value, and explains how they can keep the price way down. Phone patch, etc. sells very cheaply.
However;
As to the regular wire, it a lot cheaper than buying it in single rolls at HD, Lowe's, AutoZone etc.
The wire is about the same quality, but in longer runs with different colors than you usually see.
I would prefer buying wire in large spools in many different colors, but I have never found it for sale locally (75 mile radius), just the house wire and small spools of automotive at the big warehouses.
After 24 months of daily use the wire seems as good as any other wire I’ve bought.
And the storehouse does not ‘drag’ across the wires. The wire comes off the spool easily and without touching anything. That said, I tend to take the spool out and carry it to the job.
I buy wire usually at Home Depot, but from time to time I need special wire and look in this order;
Swapmeet or Hamfest.
Scrap metal dealer.
Belden distributor.
Industrial quality wire is common to find at a hamfest, and typically cheap.
Swapmeet or Hamfest.
Scrap metal dealer.
Belden distributor.
Industrial quality wire is common to find at a hamfest, and typically cheap.
www.waytekwire.com
www.mcmaster.com
these are the two places i get my wire, connetors, shrink wrap, etc.
www.mcmaster.com
these are the two places i get my wire, connetors, shrink wrap, etc.
BadBloodRacing
Well-known member
I have their wiring kit and haven't had a problem with it yet, but I only use it for short runs (less than a foot) for stuff like grounding or hooking up gauge lighting. I won't trust it to run from the alt. to battery or any other high amp draw.
And as Chris said, never had a problem with it dragging on the case while pulling it out.
And as Chris said, never had a problem with it dragging on the case while pulling it out.