What can I buy at Walmart for dial string?

Guest
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks
 
On Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 2:23:51 PM UTC-4, olds...@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have an entire spool of the stuff. how much do you need?

Dan
 
oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable,
Click to expand...

Yes, BRAIDED fishing line! There is heavier braided line that is both more
flexible and will grip shafts better.

Jon
 
On 23/08/2017 3:23 AM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks
Click to expand...

**I have two, 100 Metre spools of dial cord here. One is 0.4mm and the
other is 0.3mm. How much do you need, which size and where do I post it?
Yes, I am in Australia. I cannot believe that it is unavailable in other
places.

https://www.wagneronline.com.au/dial-cord/ps/

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
 
Dacron fishing line, available at Wally-World. Take a bit of the old with you and bracket that gauge as there are many gauges and many radios. Each spool you purchase will be a lifetime supply for that gauge.

Note that there is considerable flexibility in actual use anyway.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
 
On 8/22/2017 12:23 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks

Dental floss.
Click to expand...

Bill
 
Braided anywhere from 30 - 50 pound test is what I'd look for (though I'm not an expert.)

Avoid monofilament (slippery) and at all costs stay away from the power pro high tech stuff. It casts really well, I use it, but it frays like crazy.
 
Dental floss.

Bill
Click to expand...

You are CRUEL!!

Dental Floss is the last material that should be used for anything inside any electronics for any purpose other than cleaning. Sure, lots do use it. And if they use it in something that actually does get used, they will regret it.

This is similar to, but much worse than, using wax shoe-polish on stag.

Cruel, as OldSchool might actually take your advice!

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
 
On 8/23/2017 8:50 AM, pfjw@aol.com wrote:
Dental floss.

Bill

You are CRUEL!!

Dental Floss is the last material that should be used for anything inside any electronics for any purpose other than cleaning. Sure, lots do use it. And if they use it in something that actually does get used, they will regret it.

This is similar to, but much worse than, using wax shoe-polish on stag.

Cruel, as OldSchool might actually take your advice!

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

Why? I just want to know.
Click to expand...

Bill
 
oldschool@tubes.com wrote on 8/22/2017 1:23 PM:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.
Click to expand...

I don't know what you want. I see dial cord on ebay for reasonable prices.

DIAL CORD 0.8 mm synthetic cord 10 metres to suit radios.
$4.36
Buy It Now
+$1.58 shipping

Other places have it as well. Did you try googling "dial cord"?

--

Rick C

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms
On the centerline of totality since 1998
O)
 
On Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 2:46:41 PM UTC-4, Bill Gill wrote:

> >

Why?

Dental-floss is made of many small mono-filaments that are not twisted or woven. Once upon a time, it was made from silk which has a high strength-to-weight (and thickness) ratio, and actually could bio-degrade. As it was a once-use/often-used material, the short shelf-life of silk was not an issue - just the cost.

So, along came the bean-counters and decided to make it from either PTFE or Nylon. And flatten the fibers (still non-woven or twisted) so that they would be more likely to catch onto plaque, after all, the intended purpose of the stuff. Neither of these two materials degrades. Nylon is mildly toxic when burnt. PTFE is not only toxic, but even if heated up will kill birds, cats and other sensitive species, as well as cause birth-defects in amphibians (the fumes). So, trash-to-steam operations will convert PTFE PoC (products of combustion) into environmental toxins that normal filtration (for CO2, NOX and similar, and even limestone beds will not catch.

That is the environmental issue.

Now, the stuff, because it is non-woven/non-twisted, because the fibers are flattened, and so forth, will abrade the sheaves and shaft(s) over time, and also shred over time. Fine if on a shelf-queen that is never used, not so fine in a daily driver.

And, of course, waxed floss would start to slip in short order.

Those are the practical issues.

If one is in a McGyver-type situation, then desperate needs call for desperate measures. But when indulging in a hobby, such expedients are neither necessary nor very efficacious.

Lastly, recent, peer-reviewed studies have shown that flossing is, effectively, useless. Our dentist does not even give out the freebies anymore. And I have all my teeth, including all four wisdom teeth (straight) and I have not had a cavity since I was 14 - for the last 51 years.

Hope that helps.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
 
On 8/23/2017 3:34 PM, pfjw@aol.com wrote:
On Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 2:46:41 PM UTC-4, Bill Gill wrote:



Why?

Dental-floss is made of many small mono-filaments that are not twisted or woven. Once upon a time, it was made from silk which has a high strength-to-weight (and thickness) ratio, and actually could bio-degrade. As it was a once-use/often-used material, the short shelf-life of silk was not an issue - just the cost.

So, along came the bean-counters and decided to make it from either PTFE or Nylon. And flatten the fibers (still non-woven or twisted) so that they would be more likely to catch onto plaque, after all, the intended purpose of the stuff. Neither of these two materials degrades. Nylon is mildly toxic when burnt. PTFE is not only toxic, but even if heated up will kill birds, cats and other sensitive species, as well as cause birth-defects in amphibians (the fumes). So, trash-to-steam operations will convert PTFE PoC (products of combustion) into environmental toxins that normal filtration (for CO2, NOX and similar, and even limestone beds will not catch.

That is the environmental issue.

Now, the stuff, because it is non-woven/non-twisted, because the fibers are flattened, and so forth, will abrade the sheaves and shaft(s) over time, and also shred over time. Fine if on a shelf-queen that is never used, not so fine in a daily driver.

And, of course, waxed floss would start to slip in short order.

Those are the practical issues.

If one is in a McGyver-type situation, then desperate needs call for desperate measures. But when indulging in a hobby, such expedients are neither necessary nor very efficacious.

Lastly, recent, peer-reviewed studies have shown that flossing is, effectively, useless. Our dentist does not even give out the freebies anymore. And I have all my teeth, including all four wisdom teeth (straight) and I have not had a cavity since I was 14 - for the last 51 years.

Hope that helps.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

Thanks. I appreciate the reply.
Click to expand...

Bill
 
$1.00 a foot. https://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/dial%20cord

Hurry up, there's a special promotion going on.
 
On 22/08/2017 18:23, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Dental floss?
I've salvaged the string (plus knobs, ICs and IF resonators and
coils)from loads of basic tuners over the years, before dumping the rest
 
On Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:20:59 +0100, N_Cook <diverse@tcp.co.uk> wrote:

On 22/08/2017 18:23, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks


Dental floss?
I've salvaged the string (plus knobs, ICs and IF resonators and
coils)from loads of basic tuners over the years, before dumping the rest
Click to expand...

I salvage a lot of parts too, but dial string is NOT one of them. That
stuff just gets weak from age, and it's not (should not be) a high
priced item. Considering the amount of tedious work involved in
replacing them, I want NEW string, because that's one job I dont want to
do twice.

Back when brick and mortar electronic parts stores still existed, I
could buy a spool of this stuff (made exclusively for dial strings) for
a couple bucks. But these days the stuff seems hard to find, and is over
priced.

The dental floss was discussed and I wont be using it. Fishing line
seems to be the most recommended. I was also wondering if the thick
thread made for sewing canvas and furniture would work too? (Having done
some sewing on canvas tents, I know this stuff is strong, easy to get,
and cheap to buy).
 
On Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:56:24 -0700 (PDT), dansabrservices@yahoo.com
wrote:

On Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 2:23:51 PM UTC-4, olds...@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks

I have an entire spool of the stuff. how much do you need?

Dan
Click to expand...

I probably only need 6 or 7 feet for the two radios I presently need to
restring, but I'd like to get at least 25 ft. because I know there will
soon be another antique radio needing a new dial string. (And antique
radios are mostly all I work on).
 
On Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:28:20 +1000, Trevor Wilson
<trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote:

On 23/08/2017 3:23 AM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks


**I have two, 100 Metre spools of dial cord here. One is 0.4mm and the
other is 0.3mm. How much do you need, which size and where do I post it?
Yes, I am in Australia. I cannot believe that it is unavailable in other
places.

https://www.wagneronline.com.au/dial-cord/ps/
Click to expand...

Seems that Australia is the place to get dial string. Not sure why.....
Everything else comes from China these days.

But from what I saw on ebay, I am not willing to pay the shipping from
Australia.... And considering that this is just string, I dont see any
reason to import it. It's just string (or thread).

I'll look to get suitable fishing line.
 
On Wed, 23 Aug 2017 05:03:22 -0700 (PDT), "pfjw@aol.com" <pfjw@aol.com>
wrote:

Dacron fishing line, available at Wally-World. Take a bit of the old with you and
bracket that gauge as there are many gauges and many radios. Each spool you
purchase will be a lifetime supply for that gauge.

Note that there is considerable flexibility in actual use anyway.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
Click to expand...

That sounds good.....
I had to google "Dacron" to see what it is:

It's a synthetic polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) with tough,
elastic properties, used as a textile fabric.

I wonder how critical the gauge is? I'm sure that thicker is better as
far as having a longer life. So, if I buy a spool of something fairly
thick wont it work for all radios?
 
Consider the string that is used to close feed sacks. It is very strong .
 
On 24/08/2017 17:35, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:20:59 +0100, N_Cook <diverse@tcp.co.uk> wrote:

On 22/08/2017 18:23, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
There are no electronic stores anywhere near me. I cant believe the
prices they want on ebay for this string. (There is some Australia
source selling 12 meters of it for around $7 and wanting $45
shipping.... that's insane).

Anyhow, it's just string, but I know it needs to be strong and last for
years. Walmart has a lot of sewing and hobby stuff. Maybe there is a
thick thread that will work.

Someone on another forum suggested using fishing line. I know that stuff
is durable, but I know little more, since I dont fish. What guage and
material should I look for? If some of you are fishermen, maybe you
could just tell me what brand name and item number to buy. This cant be
rocket science. It's just string..... But what will work and last?

* I am currently needing to replace the dial string on a Zenith Trans
Oceanic radio, as well as the radio in a late 1960s era console stereo.

Thanks


Dental floss?
I've salvaged the string (plus knobs, ICs and IF resonators and
coils)from loads of basic tuners over the years, before dumping the rest

I salvage a lot of parts too, but dial string is NOT one of them. That
stuff just gets weak from age, and it's not (should not be) a high
priced item. Considering the amount of tedious work involved in
replacing them, I want NEW string, because that's one job I dont want to
do twice.

Back when brick and mortar electronic parts stores still existed, I
could buy a spool of this stuff (made exclusively for dial strings) for
a couple bucks. But these days the stuff seems hard to find, and is over
priced.

The dental floss was discussed and I wont be using it. Fishing line
seems to be the most recommended. I was also wondering if the thick
thread made for sewing canvas and furniture would work too? (Having done
some sewing on canvas tents, I know this stuff is strong, easy to get,
and cheap to buy).
Click to expand...

The main point about dial stringing , is that it is prestretched.
Anything else , other than monofilament, floss or thread ,you need to
break some to find its UTS and then stretch a long length of it to a bit
less force than the UTS
 
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