Graphite rods availability.

[Deanofid]

Just wanted to put this here as a heads-up. For anyone wanting graphite rods for making pistons for flame eaters, stirling, or LTD engines, the Jerry Howell website has them in up to 5" lengths, in either 5/8" or 1" diameter. They're on this page of the new part of the website:

http://www.model-engine-plans.com/partskits/miscsupplies/index.htm

Less than half the price of McMaster Carr, and you don't have to buy it by the foot. Howell will sell as little as one inch.

Dean

 

[Stan]

Buy enough for at least two pistons. If you have never used graphite before, you have no idea how quickly you can polish it down too small.

 

[Deanofid]

No kidding. And keep the shop vac handy!

Dean

 

[RichD]

I hope I'm wrong here, but I thought I read that Jerry Howell had passed away.
Rich

 

[Deanofid]

He died, but his family is still running the business.

Dean

 

[bentprop]

Just as an aside,is this the same type of graphite rod used in old transistor radio's for the antenna?Just curious.

 

[Bluechip]

Bentprop

Aerial rods are Ferrite, not Graphite.

Doubt very much if aerials would work at all made from Graphite,
Some of mine aren't very good even from Ferrite ...

Different animal.

Dave BC

 

[boatmadman]

A good source of graphite bars is a power station.

If you know anyone works in one, ask if they use brushed generator earths. If so, the brushes will be graphite!

Ian

 

[Tin Falcon]

wow enco wants $ 55 for a foot of 1"
Tin

 

[Deanofid]

wow enco wants $ 55 for a foot of 1"
Tin

Much cheaper for the same thing from Howell, and they are interested in our hobby, to boot!

 

[rake60]

For small graphite rods, back up a few years.

Think of the cheap dry cell batteries, "NOT ALKALINE", the really cheap ones.

Like these ones.
http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/external/chemistry/everyday_battery.html

Safe eye protection, neoprene gloves and a pair of tin snips is all it takes to
retrieve 1/4" X 2" long, graphite rod from a D cell battery.

Rinse it a little water mixed with baking soda to neutralize the acid.

When I was a kid. I'd cut those batteries apart to retrieve those rods and make carbon arc
lights with them. Two rods sharpened to points with a pencil sharpener.
Hook them up to a car battery and bring the points together until they start to arc.
Pull the apart slightly and the light gets brighter.

That may be part of the reason I need 3 different pairs of eye glasses to get me
through the day!

Rick

 

[Noitoen]

DC motor's brushes are a good source.

 

[Lew Hartswick]

I haven't seen one in years but the big dry-cells (about 2 1/2 "D x about 7" High)
had a nice big carbon anode. It must have been at least 3/4" dia. I think the things
they use to call a "Lantern Battery" had 4 of them in the metal case. Do such
things still exist???
...lew...

 

[rake60]

Do you mean these ones Lew?

I haven't seen a new one on may years.

Rick

 

[GailInNM]

Rick,
They are still available in two forms. One is the original construction and weighs about 1-3/4 pounds and the second is the same form factor but contains 2 "F" cells in parallel and has lower capacity.

For those curious, here is one link to the original construction type that is still available today.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/...0++3.0+Volts+Carbon+Zinc+replacement++battery

Gail in NM

 

[rake60]

Cool!

I'm ordering!

Rick

 

[Noitoen]

Carbon electrodes are not graphite. They are like the copper coated welder's cutting electrodes that are hard and brittle. Graphite is more "soapy" like pure Teflon.

 

[Stan]

Carbon electrodes are not graphite. They are like the copper coated welder's cutting electrodes that are hard and brittle. Graphite is more "soapy" like pure Teflon.

The same comment can apply to motor brushes. For many years I bought brushes from a local company whose only business was making brushes to order. When you went to order brushes they wanted to know, AC or DC, voltage, current, RPM and type of lead wire. They then selected the appropriate block of material of the shelf and cut out the brushes on a small bench saw. Their material varied from very hard to very soft.