I've been patiently watching copper prices too, as I often squirrel away coiling stuff for the future. The fact that world copper prices have collapsed is only just now reaching Lowe's. My local Home Depot hasn't budged a bit on prices for copper or anything else--I've just about given up on them as a coiling source. Last year a 50' spool of 1/4" refrigeration tubing was about $50. At the time I also considered using thick THHN wire to save money, but it was so expensive, I couldn't see any cost advantage. These days that 50" spool of Cu toob is about $30 at my local Lowe's. I went ahead and bought one. I still miss the late 90's / early 00's when I could get it for $16-$18 per spool. Wish I'd bought a few and stashed them.
As far as Cu magnet wire...what's the deal? Has anyone found a rational price anywhere? I'm still living off my stash. $100 plus shipping for a 10 lb spool? Nuts! I'll give up coiling before I pay that.
Still money grubbing in Mississippi,