st/stl coil source

[boldfish]

I am looking for a supplier of coiled stainless steel exactly like that found in common tape measures. Specifically I am seeking the formed shape that tends to straighten when uncoiled but rolls easily when flattened. I have searched for hours to no avail and our needed quantities hardly justify tooling costs to have this strip made.

For prototype and proof of concept, the strip from a 50' tape measure was cannabilized and worked perfectly. Now I just need the raw material.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Goahead]

You might try with

http://www.ulbrich.com

who advertises for hard to find rolled stainless steel

http://www.welding-advisers.com/

 

[unclesyd]

Here are three suppliers of SS steel strip and you may get what you are looking for. I’ve seen several show on TV about the making of tape measures and the one part they want show is the forming of the blade.

http://www.precisionsteel.com/products/default.asp?n_cat_id=4

http://www.meadmetals.com/temperedstainlesssteel2.htm

http://www.theis-usa.com/stainless.htm

 

[boldfish]

Thanks for the pointers. You would think something so prolific would be easy to source. I've spoken to many roll formers who are reluctant to attempt this (what I thought was trivial) process.

 

[EdStainless]

I don't know of any 'cupped' tape measures that that use stainless, they are all carbon steel. All of the stailess tapes that I have are flat blades.
Didn't one of the Mariner or Viking stalites use such a system for deploying its antena?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[unclesyd]

I have a tape measure with a SS blade (Grizzly). It is still coated with nylon.

Not being into radio other than operating certain aspects of the equipment, while in the Army we used a large extendable antenna in 1950's. This particular antenna had four extendable components configured in a diamond pattern. The extendable component would extend 20-25 feet vertically. The was another one that was part of “?Ground Plane Antenna?” that may have extended a little further.