Who has the best copper wire?

[Poink88]

...make sure clippings don't fall onto the soil because when they corrode and they will they're toxic to your tree.

That is why I was surprised when I got 2 trees and found lots of copper wire clippings on and in the soil (couple oz worth).

Also note that aluminum is reusable unlike copper that you need to anneal again before re-using. For (the newbie) me, aluminum works for now.

 

[JudyB]

I'm actually looking at wire, I'm running low. I've always used alum. but have been thinking of trying copper. I have a couple questions.

Is there really that much difference as far as quality? I'm trying to unravel the pricing differences I see as well. It's difficult, as some offer it in lengths, and some in weight.
I also wonder if copper wire in the smaller sizes is really worth buying. Won't alum. be just as good for the smaller bends?

Which are the sizes that are most important to have of copper? I like the idea of the intro package, but wonder if it'd be a waste on the smaller sizes.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Judy,
I still use aluminum for D-trees, but if I need to move a branch a little before showing something, I'll use copper so it's a smaller wire.
Yes, copper is that much better for junipers/pines/spruces and guy-wires.
Here is the approximate conversion, by size I most often use, although the relative holding power is about double:

4 gauge = 5.2mm
6 gauge = 4.1mm
8 gauge = 3.3mm
10 gauge = 2.6mm
12 gauge = 2mm
14 gauge = 1.6mm

 

[Poink88]

Judy,

I would like to add that copper is more than 3x heavier than aluminum. Just another factor to consider if you are buying by weight.

Wow now you have to practice your math as well and do lots of conversion!!! What fun!!! LOL

 

[fourteener]

I got my hands on some aluminum wire for one reason or another after years of using copper only. I felt like I need a lot of aluminum wire to accomplish what I was used to with copper. Several of us go together and buy wire every couple of years to get the free shipping from Jim Gremel.

 

[crust]

I got my hands on some aluminum wire for one reason or another after years of using copper only. I felt like I need a lot of aluminum wire to accomplish what I was used to with copper. Several of us go together and buy wire every couple of years to get the free shipping from Jim Gremel.

As a recently joining fellow member of the Norbilly Bonsai Confederacy I may wish to get in on this group buying. In the past I have always gotten wire from Adams Bonsai Products and the quality seemed good enough. I have been making my own wire as of late. I use salvaged wire and a "Copper Mine" stripping machine then anneal it in a electric kiln (because I have one). It is hard for me to find salvaged certain gauges of wire though, such as 16, 20,22, gauge.

 

[fourteener]

As a recently joining fellow member of the Norbilly Bonsai Confederacy I may wish to get in on this group buying. In the past I have always gotten wire from Adams Bonsai Products and the quality seemed good enough. I have been making my own wire as of late. I use salvaged wire and a "Copper Mine" stripping machine then anneal it in a electric kiln (because I have one). It is hard for me to find salvaged certain gauges of wire though, such as 16, 20,22, gauge.

Check your PM. I'm ordering on monday!!