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Rigging with EZ line? What is it? where do I get it?

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  • Member since
    August 2013
Rigging with EZ line? What is it? where do I get it?
Posted by PaulK on Monday, August 31, 2015 2:44 PM

I have seen several references in the magazine builds to using EZ line. I have searched the hobby links I have but cant find it.  What exactly is it, how do I find it?  Looks like a great finishing option, if I only had it.

Thanks in advance

Tags: EZ line , rigging
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, August 31, 2015 2:48 PM

I never used it,but remember reading some posts on it.Looking to try it out myself.Look here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ez+line&sprefix=ez+line%2Caps%2C1178

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Monday, August 31, 2015 2:53 PM

I've used it on 1/700 carriers. Kinda nice as it's stretchy so if it gets bumped it (usually) doesnt get popped off. Only problem is it's not truly round, kinda squarish, but it works.

 Don't remember where I got mine but I got two spools, one of each diameter. Was originally marketed for train layouts because the telephone lines broke easily if bumped.

EJ

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Monday, August 31, 2015 3:42 PM
I used it or something like it before. I bought a used P-26 off eBay and it came with a PE set and some line which I believe was EZline. It worked well, however it, or whatever I was using, does seem to be susceptible to temperature. I stored the build in the garage and the line slackened off substantially in the cold. I brought the build into room temp and it tightened right up. I pretty much use fly fishing line now.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Salem, Oregon
Posted by 1943Mike on Monday, August 31, 2015 3:53 PM

Paul,

Here's the URL: 

http://www.berkshirejunction.com/

They are great folks. Always a pleasure to deal with them.

Mike

Mike

"Le temps est un grand maître, mais malheureusement, il tue tous ses élèves."

Hector Berlioz

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, August 31, 2015 4:07 PM

I like it

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by PaulK on Monday, August 31, 2015 7:01 PM

1943Mike

Paul,

Here's the URL: 

http://www.berkshirejunction.com/

They are great folks. Always a pleasure to deal with them.

Mike

 

Thank you this is exacly what I needed

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, August 31, 2015 7:32 PM
no problem

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Scarecrow Joe on Monday, August 31, 2015 7:56 PM

I got EZ Line from Ebay and used it to simulate tying ropes in my roof rack van build.

 LY2A2088 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

 LY2A2034 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

 

As you can see it has tons of uses and applications! Big Smile

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, August 31, 2015 8:47 PM

A pro- it takes and holds knots better than monofilament.

A con- certain CA glues melt it. Best to test first.

You can split it. I've never tried to paint it. It's dirt cheap.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, August 31, 2015 8:48 PM

Super nice van build!

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 8:52 AM

What is the thinnest available?  Or, does it only come in one size, and if so, what is size?

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 9:02 AM

This copied from Berkshire Junction site.

 

EZ line is unbeatable for simulating Telephone and Electric lines, all suspended wires, ropes, fences, etc. This Elastic Polymer will stretch when bumped and instantly go back to it's original shape. No more re-glueing bumped telephone lines! No fuzz or kinks. Sold in 100 foot (30.5 meters) spools available in natural white or dyed in five different colors.  Two sizes are available to accurately simulate both electric lines, telephone cable, or whatever else you may need. Scroll down for pictures of this Berkshire Junction exclusive product - seeing is believing! Looks great in all gauges, depending on the application. Indoor use only.

EZ Line Options & Prices

Choose from Two Sizes:

  • Fine - .010" (0.25mm) diameter
    Recommended for N and HO model railroad scales.  This size works well for other models from 1/350 - 1/87 scale.
  • Heavy - .020" (0.5mm) in diameter
    Recommended for S and O scale, and as high tension wires in HO Scale. Recommended for other scale models from 1/64 - 1/10 scale.

In some HO and S scale layouts, a mixture of large and small diameters looks best, for example, simulating both telephone cables and electric wires on a pole.  

For other scale models, such as model planes and ships, our recommendations are based on what our customers have told us worked for them.

Choose from Six Colors - Sold in 100 foot spools:

  • White - $8.98
  • Rust (great for barbed wire) - $10.98
  • Green (old copper) - $10.98
  • Rope (tan) - $10.98
  • New! French Blue (great for airplane models) - $10.98
  • Black (shows up better against a light background)* - $10.98

       * The black color in fine size does not show up well (actually, it can almost disappear) against a dark background such as ground cover, trees, or towns.
          We demonstrate this on the diorama that we use at shows and many customers choose the green (which has just a hint of color) or the white which shows up more.

 

EJ

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 9:44 AM

The fine stuff, at 1/72.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 9:48 AM

Nice plane GM.

 

EJ

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Saturday, September 19, 2015 12:06 AM

Hey sorry to pirate the thread but would the fine size work well in 1/700? Or should I use very small fishing line? 

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, September 19, 2015 9:18 AM

I have looked for finer line than that without success for 1:700 work.  However, using stuff in any finer size would be a challenge. I find 005 or smaller becomes almost invisible even with fairly high power optical aids.  I stopped looking for smaller stuff and am satisified with ez-line and fly tying line now for my 1:700 work.  Even so, I need to keep large cards of black and white to prop up behind ship to provide enough contrast- white card for very dark line, black card for the white and tan line.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Saturday, September 19, 2015 11:04 AM

Sure. 1 last question, how do you attach it to the rig points? Do you tie it or glue it? 

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Salem, Oregon
Posted by 1943Mike on Saturday, September 19, 2015 1:42 PM

I just apply a very small amount of thin CA. For me that usually is enough to hold the line after it dries - in perhaps under a minute. The amount of time it takes for the CA to dry enough to hold the line will vary a bit but the thin stuff usually holds quickly. 

As to whether or not to tie the line, well, that depends on the kind of end point called for. Remember that EZ Line stretches and may not act the same as thread or filament so one should experiment a bit before committing to using it on the model. 

Mike

P.S. To GMorrison: The amount of rigging in the aircraft you posted above would drive me absolutely insane. It's a wonderful looking plane!

Mike

"Le temps est un grand maître, mais malheureusement, il tue tous ses élèves."

Hector Berlioz

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, September 20, 2015 11:15 AM

I do both.  I like to secure it with a knot or other secure fastening, and then glue it.  Now on larger stranded thread the glue may not be fully necessary, but any monofilament style thread really needs the glue- I find these can loosen up soon after tieing.  On the other hand, I find line just glued to a small spar very fragile.  If the line needs to be attached to a major structure I will at times drill a hole in the structure or large spar and just glue it.  Line glued into a drilled hole will be secure without a mechanical termination.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by CrashTestDummy on Monday, September 21, 2015 1:48 PM

GMorrison

The fine stuff, at 1/72.

 

I would LOVE to do that bird, but the rigging just scares the bejezus out of me!! 

Beautiful work, though. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

G. Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

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