Source or technique for wound cable for a truck winch?

Hi Chris,

I recently pulled apart a computer cable and found this inside. It has an insulated core that is wrapped with really fine wire. Looks like wire rope to me! I'm using it for a winch cable on my Italeri wrecker.

The image isn't very good, but you can see the covering wire where it is unravelling.

My suggestion is to start pulling apart computer cables. See if your IT guy at work has some spare or start bin-diving!

I hope this helps.

Graeme.

I use 15 or 25 pound test braided fishing line for any winch cables that I need on my models. It looks like cable, lays flat and taught and is very close to scale size.

Thanks

Carl

A medium weight light gray thread (regular twisted, not monofilament) thread does a pretty good job of simulating steel cable.

     Where can I get the thread you speak of, Don?

   The fishing line sounds ideal, but I was just in buying some leader line the other day and noticed the reels of fishing line were anywhere from $12-$15 a reel.  Not budget friendly.

--Chris

dirkpitt77

     Where can I get the thread you speak of, Don?

 

--Chris

Anyplace that sells sewing supplies.  Michaels Crafts or JoAnn stores are chains that come to mind, but some department stores carry the stuff too.  Unfortunately, according to someone in one of those stores, the hobby of sewing is not what it was in the past, so we no longer find the wide selection of sizes and colors we used to.

Craft stores- especially Michaels- are a great source of various trinkets and such that have application to modeling.  I find a lot of neat stuff specifically in the jewelry departments- fine wire in many colors, fine chain, beads and such, and craft woods.  Fine beads make good shift knobs and control stuff.

Try picture hanging wire.  It's stranded.  You might find a length of the stuff close to the scale you want.

   Hmm, sounds like I've got some stores to visit now.  I usually find some pretty good stuff at Hobby Lobby, but I didn't think actual thread would work, so I didn't look there. 

  Picture hanging wire is a good idea!  I'll try n scope that out too.   

    Thanks guys! 

EasyMike

Try picture hanging wire.  It's stranded.  You might find a length of the stuff close to the scale you want.

That would probably make it in the twenty to forty mil range- pretty fine.  I have seen some very fine stranded wire for model yachts, so you might try model ship suppliers.  I think it is used for the RC sailing yachts.

Hi!  This may be an answer as to how to make scale cable. I have been experimenting with nickel plated beading wire in differing gauges to make various thicknesses of 'rope' for ship models.  It is very easy to do. Get a hand drill and mount it flat in a vice. Push the ends of 2 or 3 strands of wire as desired into the chuck, then separate and hold out the 2 or 3 foot strands away from the chuck. Turn the handle either right or left depending on what way you want your cable laid. Keep turning it until you get the scale cable effect you want.   It really is that simple!     The wire is normally available from jewellery craft / hobby outlets or the haberdashery area in a department store.

Buggatifan, you must have 3 hands or something.

No!    Only two I can assure you!

The drill is held horizontally in a vice.  The single strands of wire are held in the chuck. That leaves two hands free!

One for turning the drill handle on the drill, and the other for keeping apart and holding the other ends of the wire strands under gentle tension. Turning the handle will twist the wires together, and Voila! we have some model cable. Just keep the strands under tension and do not let go until all the 'cable' has been wound to your satisfaction.   I demonstrated this technique at my local modelling club and the guys were astounded as to how easy it was to do. (And cheap too!)

Have a go Octane Orange!  Just strip out a few strands of electrical cable to practice on. The worst you can do is tangle up a few strands of cable!