On Mar 21, 5:51 pm, Owen Duffy wrote:
"merlin-7" wrote :

Some of you may have read my posts on the parallel dipole. I have
some
large gauge copper clad wire. It has a memory and is a pain to work
with but it has a breaking point of around 800lbs (I think that's
right)
Can you stretch that stuff out tight and take a propane torch to it
so that
it will not slinky on you? Without damaging it?

Dealing firstly with wire of uniform material (ie unclad), you propose to
anneal the wire, which at least reduces its strength, changes its
elasticity, and may affect its corrosion properties.

In the case of copper clad wire, you may upset the bond between copper
and steel core or induce cracking in the copper cladding, either during
the heating / cooling process or in service due to the changed elasticity
of the core.

I wouldn't even think of it.

Wear safety goggles, and be very careful with the springy wire. Or, use
soft copper and replace it if / when it blows down.

Owen

When I was a kid my grandfather ran a depot for the G&F railroad and I
remember them replaceing some of the telegraph lines there. They drew
the wire through a device that had rollers in it to take out the curl.
I dont really remember how it worked but that it was pretty simple. Im
betting it was probably much like those 3 roller devices you use to
put curl in metal rods.

Jimmie