RidgeRunner Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hi all out there. I'm new to the need for using line for wire aerials on prop types in 1/72. I'm generally a jet builder. So, what is the recommendation? It would be for wire aerials for A-1, P-47, P-51s etc. Thanks. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Onkey Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I use E-Z line, available in a number of varieties- very forgiving to use- easily fixed with a tiny bit of CA and it's slightly stretchy so doesn't spell disaster if you accidentally catch it when handling the model afterwards. Pretty sure I got mine from Modelling Tools who are members of this forum (and very helpful too), but as the BBC would say, other suppliers are available. I note that the Modelling Tools website suggests there's a temporary supply delay http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/ez-line-31-c.asp The one I have at the moment is a touch overscale for 1:72, but not so much as to be glaringly obvious to the layperson. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 Thanks MO. Yes, they say they have supply issues because of a family issue. SAd for them. I'll keep looking. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Another vote for EZ-line. It's also very useful for rigging biplanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Two other obvious candidates are Infini Model lycra rigging line and Uschi Van Der Rosten rigging line. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I used to use half pound breaking strain fishing line. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhouse Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 A human hair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaurieS Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Actually used to be called nicker elastic thread. Perfect size for 1/72. I have used Ez Line but after a while the line goes limp and it also frays. Prym will not. Will stretch about double. Recommended that using C/A to fix. Prime the wing or fuselage with an C/A accelerator. Dab C/A on the thread end. With the accelerator the C/A will go off in secs. Use a thin C/A such as Rocket hot. Thread cut so that it is stretched about 10%. But that depends on the slenderness of some points to be connected. Prym is cheap compared to EZ line and a reel will last a life time of building 1/72. https://www.ebay.com/p/Prym-Strick-elastic-200m-977770/2255388420 Laurie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 7 hours ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said: nd Uschi Van Der Rosten rigging line. But so expensive! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 5 hours ago, bhouse said: A human hair? Well, my wife does have long black hair! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 In my opinion, for what it's worth, is that any material of fixed length / not stretchy is a bit of a liability unless modela are permanently kept in a cabinet. Dusting / handling / transporting to club nights or shows etc will eventually result in broken rigging, whilst heat cycles will eventually lead to sagging. The lycra products are immune to all this. It's one of those expenses where you pay a bit up front for a big reel of it then never give it a second thought for the rest of your modelling life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 13, 2017 Author Share Posted October 13, 2017 Thanks Jamie. So, to be sure, Uschi is lycra? And E-Z? Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Uschi and Infini Model lines are lycra for sure. E-Z line I'm not sure to be honest. I've never heard of freying or breakdown of the former two. I don't sell Uschi myself but the feedback on it is that it's very good stuff. The only negative things I've ever seen / heard about either is when people have tried cutting bits loose and working with them. It's like cobwebs doing it that way. If you work them off their reels though and trim once the CA glue is dried, it's a dawdle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Never had any problem with fishing line with regards to sagging. It stayed taught all the time. Did use hair many years ago, but that definitely stretches and sags with time. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaurieS Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Lycra, Spandex and elasthan (Gold Zac Knitting elastic plus mentioned above) are polye -polyurea copolymer . There are many names for the same product depends on which continent apparently. EZ is a Polymer. Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 No love for good old stretched sprue? Blooming Heathens! Mart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 4 hours ago, LotusArenco said: No love for good old stretched sprue? It has an unpleasant tendency to sag in warm conditions. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Bullbasket said: It has an unpleasant tendency to sag in warm conditions. John. From a VERY old (Airfix?) magazine, the 'hot' match trick. Strike a match, blow it out then run the still warm match head close to the rigging line, and it will either a.) instantly snap back, and loose the 'sag' OR b.) melt! Guess how I know Paul 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 2 hours ago, PhoenixII said: Guess how I know Alan Hall has got a lot to answer for. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 19 hours ago, Bullbasket said: sag in warm conditions Warm conditions! Here in the UK? Photo taken for my Britmodeller yearbook back in 2008. Photo taken just now. Other than the dust, the rigging has survived quite well. I’d suggest that for 1/72 aerial wires, stretched sprue will work and last just fine. Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Ah, but Mart, John lives in "La Belle France".................... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 Hi chaps! So I'm confused (easily done). Given there is no EZ available currently this side of the pond what is the recommendation? I'm not inclined about stretched sprue as it is/gets brittle..... Thanks again, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Stretched spruce is pants compared to something like EZ line (which is also Licra. based). I've had models rigged with it for years and no problems with sagging. It doesn't like strong sunlight though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 2 hours ago, PhoenixII said: Ah, but Mart, John lives in "La Belle France".................... Very true, but it can get ......y cold in winter. As low as -16c. But we do have heating and when it warms up in the house, stretched sprue lines have been known to sag (amongst other things). 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: Hi chaps! So I'm confused (easily done). Given there is no EZ available currently this side of the pond what is the recommendation? I'm not inclined about stretched sprue as it is/gets brittle..... Thanks again, Martin As I said several posts back, try half pound breaking strain fishing line. It won't sag. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaurieS Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Hi chaps! So I'm confused (easily done). Given there is no EZ available currently this side of the pond what is the recommendation? I'm not inclined about stretched sprue as it is/gets brittle..... Thanks again, Martin Get unconfused Martin. Laurie https://www.ebay.com/p/Prym-Strick-elastic-200m-977770/2255388420 Edited October 16, 2017 by LaurieS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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