Best way to rig 1/350 scale?

I plan on using a thin fishing line.

Maybe this stuff will work.

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Never use black or white for rigging.  These colors create an extreme contrast or visibility that makes them look even bigger than they are.  If we are talking about modern ships that have steel rigging, a medium gray makes a much better color.  I am excepting old sailing ships, of course, where the standing rigging was tarred, but few of them are in 1:350.

Also, "regular" sewing thread doesn't give an idea of the diameter of the thread. It is getting extremely hard to find sewing thread in various, especially fine, diameters.  Craft stores have told me that sewing as a hobby is in decline, and they are not stocking as many threads as they used to.

For 1:700 and small 1:350 (destroyers, patrol boats, etc).  I usually use the transparent monofilament thread. It is the smallest diameter I can find locally (it is about ten mil) and the transparent quality makes it look even smaller than it is.

For really fine diameter threads these days I am usually forced to order from places that cater to sailing ship modelers, like Bluejacket and Model Expo.  Even they do not have a good, fine medium gray, however.

A not about monofilament thread for rigging. It looks beautiful when done, but is a bear to work with. It is so stiff it is very hard to tie knots in it, so I have to drill terminal areas and glue it.

Don- thanks for the helpful info. I will have to investigate and experiment with mono line. my "regular" sewing thread is just not cutting it! 

Assume because of the scale that you are talking about steel warships and "rigging" aerials, stays and signal halyards etc., not sails.

I use black monofilament. Don's correct about the color, however the stuff I use is only 2 mill so it's pretty hard to see. At 1/350 it scales to about 3/4" thick, which I think is pretty darn good. Also, because it's so thin there's no problem tying it. I buy it from fly fishing sites.

[urlhttp://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/TW-030020-0000/63500/UNI-Products-Caenis-Thread.html[/url]

I'm a 1/700 guy, and in that scale I go with stretched sprue both for the cost and the extremely thin diameters I can get. Should work fine in 1/350 for relatively short lengths as well.

I usually use stretched grey sprue for rigging my 1/350 ships.  Once it is attached on both ends with CA you can run a heat source under it (not too close) and that will cause it to tighten up.  An incense stick works wonders for the heat source.  I've also been known to use a lit cigarette.

Also, be sure and rig from the centerline out.  This will prevent you from having to thread your way through the outer rigging to deal with the stuff closer to the centerline.

Bob

For a long time I used stretched sprue. Now, however,I use the real fine" invisible thread ". I have found some really superfine versions of it. If it gets really thin(1,700 etc.) I then go back to stretched sprue.I have experimented with it and if I am careful I can get it almost thin enough that it,s even harder to see than the fine "invisible thread". There is a problem here though. I have to definitely use the magnifier light when installing it. It works though. There is nothing better than looking at the finished ship and seeing ALL the rigging in the proper size to the eye.Good luck on your project.       tankerbuilder

I've found fly tieing line is very small diameter stuff. And nichrome wire works great because it will do what you want with it, you can put a slight curve in it and it stays. It also comes in extremely small diameters.

 You can find it a Precision Scale Model Engineering, PSME.com

 You'll have to call them for your needs, as they don't have an online catalog.

Is fly tieing line sold in spools like regular fishing line?

Yes. Look at Cabela's online catalog, they have a large selection in a multitude of colors and types. Any good 'fly' shop should have it in stock.

I got a Cabela's right down the road from me.Good excuse to visit the store.

I am still trying to determine whats the best option for rigging my Bismarck when i come to the stage.

Does the fishing wire have the tendency to curve a lot rather than stay in a straight line if it comes wrapped in a spool? I Imagine that it would make things difficult trying to keep tension point-to-point.

I use the Uni Caenis that I posted the link for. It does not curl, and it is very strong, will snap the mast before it breaks. It lies in tight knots just fine, and CA glue locks it tight.

You might think it's too thin- it's very hard to see. But that's how I like it. 0.0019 inches at 350 to 1 comes to 5/8" thick, which has to be about right.

I agree with bondoman.  I prefer the Uni Caenis and changed to this product after using fly fishing tippet material.  The darker Uni Caenis doesn't reflect as much light as the fishing line.  The only difference is I use gator grip to secure in place because I like how it shrinks when it dries.  Gator Grip is also more forgiving if you make a mistake as it is easily cleaned up with water.  You don't have to stretch it tight when you apply.  You can either use smoke coming off of an incense stick (held under the subject), an exhausted match stick, or a tool I use that can be heated up with a candle flame and waved near the rigging line.  In all cases it takes very little heat to draw the lines tight.

Here's the USS Laffey in 1:700 that I made last year and my first attempt with this product.  

I use a product called EZ Line. Model Railroaders use it for rigging power and Phone Lines. It comes in Black or Grey on 100 Ft spools. It stretches to at least 10 times its length and holds its shape remarkebly well. Secure it a one end with CA and anchor at the other end. It has lots of give and is user Friendly. It also comes in thick or thin diameters so is perfect for whatever scale you are trying to rig.....Cheers Mark 

Hey surfsup. I also use ez line for planes, I absloutly love it. I was just wondering wha size you use for 1/350 ships.

I recently found this on eBay and thought it might work as rigging material. So I ordered it for $ 5.50 and gave it to one of my ship builders to try out. It's in black color, 0.14mm thick (10 lbs strength) and 100m long. The results is yet to be known. :

www.ebay.com/.../i.html