I need to replace the cross hairs on a scope.  Where can I get some fine cross hair wire?
Thanks

Some of the very best crosshair material is black widow spider web. I used do collect it when I lived in Nevada. Years ago many scope company’s used it. I’ve repaired several scopes with it and it never broke. And it sort of illuminates in low lite.


Tom Klinger

A few years ago I purchased 3 sizes of wire from lostabundle (James Stancliff) on eBay.  James is still selling the tungsten wire (either .0005", .0010", .0015") in 2' lengths for $11.90 with free delivery.  Search on eBay for crosshair repair wire.  He's a good guy to buy from.

Wayne

Some years ago I was building a long 30" telescope like the old Malcolm's and I needed wire for the cross hairs and was able to get some .001" diameter wire from California Fine Wire Company, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links), as I remember they actually sent it to me as a sample but I would count on that today.
They have all different materials, cross sectional shape, and wire down to .0004" in diameter. Just another idea. Good luck.

I was checking out some of the links posted and realized I might be looking for to heavy of a wire.  My original thought was .004" - .005" would be fine wire.  But after looking at some of the wire list as .0015" I am not sure.
Do any of you recommend a size that would be considered FINE?

Oldbee wrote on Nov 30^th, 2025 at 1:25pm:


I consider .0015" medium & .0005" fine, but some call .0005" extra fine.  I've replaced the cross hairs is several Fecker scopes which I use for BPCR competition & prefer the .0005" wire.  Anything finer & there's a possibility to loose the cross hairs due to the background, especially dark backgrounds.

Wayne

I have replaced the cross hair wires on several scopes and I used unwaxed dental floss. Yes dental floss. The dental floss is made up of many fine strands. Cut a length of about 10 inches and start to unravel the strands. YES you will need a magnifying glass. The strands are VERY fine. Remove the reticle tube from your scope and cut a piece of stiff cardboard into a square about 3". Instead of cardboard I use foam poster board the comes from the craft store or Walmart. In the center of the square cut a hole that the tube will fit tightly into. In all four corners of the cardboard slice a fine slit with a razor blade.
Some reticle tubes have screws to hold the cross wires while others are glued in place. With the tube in place in the cardboard, stretch the fine strand of the floss across the tube and slip it into the slits that you cut into the corners. Do this for the other strand and if done correctly you will have the cross wires correctly in place. A small drop (and I mean A SMALL drop) of super glue will anchor the strands to the reticle tube. If your tube has screws to attach the wires to then place the strands under the screw heads and tighten them lightly. Let the glue dry for a day.

A. J. Palik

If you were into Buckskinning, a piece of artificial sidewalk, separated to 1 strand, makes a great cross hair. I can send you a piece off my roll. JAP