How to make conductive thread

This thread consists of very fine wire and thread combined together to create the strong, low resistance thread.

The actual process of making the conductive thread is quick and simple...

It is the tool needed to make the thread that can take the most time. Once the tool is finished the thread production takes relatively no time at all.

Step 1: Materials required

In order to make this type of thread you will need the following:

1: 2 feet 1x4 cut into 3 pieces, 1-1 foot and 2 - 6 inch
2: 30 inches of 5/8 copper tubing (feel free to substitute)
3: stiff wire coat hanger or 5/16 brass dowel
4: Magic Bullet (tv blender) shaker lid or plastic salt shaker lid
5: 8 small circuit relays or very fine magnet wire.
6: fine cotton thread
7: 10 5/8 id washers
8: 2 fender washers
9: 1/2 inch sheet metal screws.

Tools needed:

1: Drill
2: small hammer:
3: small flat screwdriver
4: small wire cutters.
5: Dremel tool with cut-off wheel or drill press.
6: tubing bender
7: Hot glue gun

Comments

[Sevator]

Wire of the coils of the relay has electrical insulation of the paint, so it must be cleaned of insulation in place of solder. Better find somewhere wire with a polyurethane coating that requires no additional tinkering. Otherwise, work with conductive thread will be very difficult.

[geoslim13]

I am going to add a waxing attachment to hod the thread together better

[WuLongTi]

Very well done.  I don't know that I will try this any time soon, but as far as being instructional, you did a great job.  Lots of pictures, clear easy to understand language; a great I'ble!

[For Better Or Worse]

All in all, this is a very good instructable. I would like to make some myself but it would be difficult. Could you tell me how fine that thread is? Because I would like to make some that is really soft and that you could sew with it. Another thing, is there a way to soak ordinary sewing thread with conductive ink to make conductive thread? Or is it possible?

[Plusea]

WOW i just discovered this Instructable even though it has been around for some time. I really like it, although ill have to try it to believe it can really be as soft as commercial conductive tread. but on the plus side, it is solderable thread! Thanks!

[Lynne Bruning]

SWEET!

I never would have thought of magnet wire.....

Thank you. Thank you Thank you.

[Gadre]

This is a great idea. However, instead of building the tool, I tried an alternative, I used a slightly thicker wire (36 gauge). I took 2 lengths of wire and 1 length of thread and braided them manually just like a pony tail. It took a lot of effort, but the wire came out very well. Thanks,

[Random_Canadian]

Nicely done...

[cedtlab]

Here is a picture of my wire

[depotdevoid]

That is a really awesome idea, and very well documented.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks. I am currently working on a second generation winding machine that should give better results and will be easier to build.

[frollard]

Excellent instructable; only one problem that makes it ultimately WAY too confusing for me to comprehend. I know how to make various looms to weave threads; but there is not even one picture of the entire unit in its complete state. All of the shots are of closeups of the components; which is great, but I still don't understand the meaning of a lot of the numbered instructions without direct connection to the pictures.

A few comments on the photos as you progress make a vast difference in understandability.

Now to contradict myself - VERY well documented build, with a little context it'll be great! Nice plan to make your own as well, much better than buying other stuff.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks greatly for your input. I have added several more photos and I have hopefully made the build descriptions more clear.

[frollard]

Awesome - the whole picture makes it much easier to comprehend. Great job! Now all you need is a video of it in operation!

[joejoerowley]

Cool! A lot cheap then most conductive thread I would bet.

[Random_Canadian]

If you need to buy the relays they are about $2 each. I have made about 15m of thread and still have plenty of wire left on the spools.

[ry25920]

Conductive thread+ Nanosolar panels=solar shirt