Phenol Insulator Washers

Charles Reese

Charles Reese

Well-known member
Hoping to not make a special order from a mail order vendor for such a small item. Need 2 of the 3/32" x 9/16" phenol insulator washers used in the distributor (condenser end). Any suggestions on local suppliers? have tried Radio Shack but just got the familiar 'duh' stare:confused: from the kid behind the counter (after he finished his all important texting and honored me with a moment of his time).:rolleyes: No luck at Lowes/HDepot type places.
 
In a pinch you might try making insulating washers from plastic (for example a milk container) using a gasket punch and then drilling the center hole. May have to use several layers depending on thickness of the plastic. This presumes you don't have a more user-friendly electronics store than Radio Shack (such as Frye's out here on the left coast).
 
A hole saw and a piece of circuit board will work. If you don't have the acid to remove the copper from the circuit board, amybe you can file it off.

I know exactly what you mean about Radio Shack. That, and since they have become more of a toy and telephone store is why I seldom go in there.
 
If it were me I'd check out http://www.mcmaster.com/

I usually get the stuff the next day and they have all the good stuff I want. :)

I know its not local, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Last time I was in a Radioshack was around 4 years ago and that was completely pointless. They have not had anything useful for me in a long long time. I get all of my electronics parts from digikey.com and mouser.com
 
Weird place I found something that would work was in a "plumbing washer variety pack", along with the rubber is some flat washers made of some tough stuff that looks like phenol.

Myself I would use old printed circuit board like Tom suggested.
 
Lowe's here has various sizes of plastic washers in their hardware dept. The ones I bought were white. Look in the sliding drawers where they keep special screws, etc. I would say Ace hardware would have them also.
 
I just got home from the electronics surplus store in Minneapolis and they don't have any of the material like circuit boards are made of. A few months ago I bought some outlet boxes made of bakelite, just so I'd have material to make insulating washers from. Check to see if Radio Shack has printed circuit board material with copper on only one side. Then you wouldn't need to remove any copper since the copper side could face the condenser.
 
I'll second the suggestion to use McMaster-Carr as a source. They have a great selection of materials with a variety of thickness, temperature range, and hardness options. Try www.mcmaster.com . Any size order is OK with them, they will take your credit card, have one of the best, in my opinion, online catalogs that I have experienced, and ship in a flash. Gar Williams
 
Here is an example of what McMaster-Carr has available. Tom, take a look and you will find your circuit board material in this entry. Would be interesting to hear how the prices compare to what you are currently using. Also try a search of their site for insulating washers. I was surprised at the selection. Gar Williams

http://www.mcmaster.com/#circuit-boards/=hscqqi
 
I found some at ACE hardware in the bins where the have all the specialty fasteners ans such. Good Luck
 
I am able to find several sources of the 'plastic' insulating washers. however, (1) i suspect engine heat would play havoc with them, (2) i'm trying for judging level, so need the original red fiber style. thanks for the suggestions tho...
 
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