Need Realistic Towing Cables

QUOTE: Originally posted by nmayhew this may be what you need...i've used their "heavy" soviet cables and they are pretty good, but can't speak for these... http://www.accurate-armour.com

I'm using their German cables for my Panther. So far so good, but I'm a little worried about the ends coming off when I attach them to the cable attachment pipes.

I just found out Karaya from Poland makes an assortment of very fine towing cables. Check out the pic for the modern Soviet set:

http://www.karaya.ceti.pl/eng/tcr06.html

A complete list of their tow cable set here:

http://www.karaya.ceti.pl/eng/cables.html

Guys, I found the ultimate solution. Ace Hardware sells coils of picture hanging wire, made of galvanized steel, very soft and flexible. This wire is just the right thickness for 1/35 and it's manufactured just like the real thing-from microscopic strands of wire twisted together expertly into a solid cable. Should look awesome and saves you lots of time twisting the wires on your own.

I like petbat's method...I haven't made them yet, but looked at different frame wires and it's precisely what you want in a cable..plus it holds it shape when molded and can be found in a variety of thicknesses.
The only change I plan to make is to use aluminum tape for the ends. It's used for furnace pipes, etc. and it's like thick foil with a really strong adhesive. Any Home Depot has it, and it comes in handy.

this may be what you need...i've used their "heavy" soviet cables and they are pretty good, but can't speak for these...

http://www.accurate-armour.com

then look under "products", then "accurate armour products", then "accessories" and you'll see a tow cables section...(i would post a full link but they don't work from this site)

hope this helps.
regards,
nick

I posted pics on how I do this a few weeeks ago, but Ron USMC has clened up the site and deleted the pics. If you want theme-mail me and I'll send them to you. The text went:

I make my cables in 1/35th scale by using 7 strand brass picture hanging wire. I cut a strip of foil (an old tube of the wife's hand cream, off the top of a wine bottle, etc) about 11mm long and 3/4 the width of the wire. I glue the strip to the wire with epoxy and when dry curve it round a nail. Clamping the end with tweesers will give you the right shape.

Using a longer, wider length of foil, I wrap this around a drill bit the same diameter as double the width of the cable (for the part where the cable loops back). Slide it up the wire and clamp the foil around the cable, including crimping the end closed around the wire, and drop some cyano down inside to hold it all together.

Then using an old paint brush handle, just burnish the edges of the foil in the eye loop over the wire just like the real thing. For the other end make sure you slide the drill bit tube of foil onto the wire before starting the loop process!

I'm using the bicycle shift cable.. Looks spiffy so far..

I've used a good nylon string in my last couple of builds. The kind that doens't fray and have little threads hanging off of it. After it's painted and weathered it looks great.

That is exactly what I do, except I use .020 inch solder.

Cut the ends off, drill out the swedge to accept any one of the following; twisted strands of thin copper wire or .02" electronics solder, model ship builder's thread rigging, bicycle shift cable which has been annealed with a propane torch or nylon twine.

Hey, wait a minute...check this out:

http://cidwebs.com/armorinscale/towcables.htm

You think this guy is making sense? Or can you recommend something even better?