Question Softstrand Wire vs reg braided wire

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Isn't 'Softstrand' uncoated? The coated stuff is 'SuperSoftStrand' I think....... :shrug:

Anyway, I use the plastic-coated variety and compared to the brassy sort it's easier to twist and knot and doesn't stick in you fingers and turn them black. :thumbsup:
 
Are we talking "Softstrand" or "Super Softstrand" ?

We get Softstrand which is all metal, and super-smooth to the touch.

Super Softstrand is plastic coated, which having seen tear and I think yellow is not an option I like.
 
I hate the regular wire. Once I started using the soft strand I have never gone back to the regular wire. It's stainless steel and IMO lasts a lot longer and is stronger than the braided wire. I used to see a lot of the braided stuff come back broken on the backs of peoples frames. It would break right where it rested on the nail they used to hang the picture.

I think the soft strand is a better product.
 
I think of regular braided wire as inferior to soft strand, zerlon, etc...
Much prefer to use stronger, more reliable wires. As far as cost, I'd
rather bump a fitting charge up a few cents to allow for using decent
wire than take a chance that the cheaper stuff will break.
 
MikeGuilbault said:
Duoh... feel kinda dumb. Thought the Softstrand was soooo much cheaper but I was comparing feet to meters. It is more expensive!! lol - but sounds worth it.
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Its worth it at any price. I will never go back to braded. Softstrand (un-plastic coated) all the way!

You will also probably notice that it is much thinner compared to the same weight rating for braded.
 
Okay, I’ll play the contrarian: I prefer braided picture wire. There … I've said it!

It is less expensive; easier to work with, IMO; doesn’t leave dirty fingers (I suspect Peter uses henna in his hair :shrug: ); and I’ve never had braided wire break (like Bob “claims” – he probably uses #1 wire on an 80 pound frame :p ).
 
Mmmm..."Reply with quote" isn't working on Bill's post!

Bill, you are fully entitled to have wrong opinions! LMAO!

Seriously, I've used SuperSoftStrand wire for many years, because it's stainless steel and coated with plastic, is clean, and very easy to tie!
Never seen it yellow! Have some here at home that has been around for many years and there is no sign of yellowing!
The plastic coating will tear up if the hook it's on is sharp, and someone tries to slide the wire on the hook while pulling the frame downwards! That's just wrong!

Less expensive may be true and it might add a few cents to the cost of each frame. IMO that's not an issue!

I hate braided wire......there I've said that!
 
All I use is the plastic coated and I have never seen it yellow either. I have a couple of very old rolls (heavy stuff) that I rarely use and no yellowing to them.
I guess your mileage may vary, but I have never had an issue.
 
Bill. ;)

I would be the last person to wish you would get a strand of horrible brass wire stuck under your fingernail the next time you are twisting a bit. :popc:

But I might smirk over the possibility. :p


There is a name for that affliction: "Framer's Finger".
 
osgood said:
Bill, you are fully entitled to have wrong opinions! LMAO!

I hate braided wire......there I've said that!
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I am quite comfortable with my superior level of intellect and enviable wisdom, thank you very much.

prospero said:
Bill.

There is a name for that affliction: "Framer's Finger".
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Yeah? Well, I've got a finger just for you, too, pal!
 
I use super softstrand, ordered it once by mistake (was using regular softstrand) and was glad I made that mistake. Never looked back. Nicer on my fingers and I have never seen the plastic yellow. Sure, more expensive, but what are we talking about, a penny a frame?
 
Isn't this place great? ;) Start off with a perfectly sensible question and it turns into a food fight. Fantastic. :popc:


Anyway, some people use those little ferrules to tidy up and crimp the ends of brass wire. But with SSS wire you don't have to as you can form very neat ends just by twisting it around. Thus saving time and money.
Of course members of the NH chapter of the Masochist and General Weirdo Society will have other agendas. :nuts:
 
Bob Doyle said:
... I used to see a lot of the braided stuff come back broken on the backs of peoples frames. It would break right where it rested on the nail they used to hang the picture.
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Bob is correct. The ordinary braided wire is aluminum. SoftStrand is twisted stainless steel, which is much more resistant to breakage than aluminum wire.
Bob Doyle said:
I think the soft strand is a better product.
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Me too.
 
Those who have seen "yellow" wire might be seeing the plastic coated from AMS which is copper wire under the plastic. The rolls are huge compared with other plastic coated wires. Cost is a few dollars more than braided but roll size is the same and well worth the price. The weight ratings on the spools are much lower but they are being realistic about the capabilities. In the past I have always used 1/3 the weight ratings of other wires where this stuff is accurate for maximum weight. The color is a true copper color.
 
Bill Henry- said:
Yeah? Well, I've got a finger just for you, too, pal!
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No quoting Raum Emanuel here, this has been a pretty politics free thread thank you very much.... ;)

Most of the frames Bill that have been coming in for repair are older ones, some as old as dirt itself. therefore they can't possibly be mine and I would have no idea what gauge of wire you used back then ;)

As to the "yellowing" statement. I do nt think that the whole of the plastic yellows but I have seen discoloring at the ends where the wire has been cut. I do not ue the coated wire as i don't use the crimping systems but I have seen some come in with coated wire that is yellowish at the cut ends.
 
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