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Rigging that tightens with heat???

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Seattle
Rigging that tightens with heat???
Posted by Papa-Echo-64 on Monday, December 6, 2004 2:00 PM
Ahoy Mates!

I don't post much here but after four years of neglect I'm finally finishing my 1/350 TITANIC and man it feels good! ( especially after spending over 170.00 bucks on P/E sets and decals! ) yikes!

QUESTION:
I think it was a FINESCALE mag that I saw a cool article about rigging material that titightens with a very small amount of heat. If so does it come in a variety of thickness and has anyone here used it?






The Hull is cut for waterline display and thats just a blue towl....the decks were custom made from evergreen sheet but I can not remember what size or style...I do remember talking to Mr. Perry of GMM ( Who lives not too far from me ) and he said that it was a hell of a lot closer to the plank size than what the kit has...which is about 12 inches in width I think and a lot easier than scribing new ones like he did! ( we had a good laugh about that one cuz that what I did to begin with but was going crazy! )

Since those pics, have used some white and light tan chalk to treat the decks to give it more of a slightly weathered and proper look and made some correstions on my choice of window frames and rebuilt that whole little square building you see with no roof so the correct window frames will fit properly, same goes for the Palm court Cafe windows.

Thanks!!

Straighten up and fly right.....
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Monday, December 6, 2004 3:26 PM
Stretched sprue does that. It takes concentration and nerves of steel - and/or a willingness to start over fairly frequently - but it can be done. Just wait till the adhesive at both ends of the line has dried, and hold it a couple of feet over a lighted candle (or similar heat source). Move the model gradually closer to the heat, and the sprue will tighten. In a few more seconds it will melt.

Beautiful Titanic!

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Seattle
Posted by Papa-Echo-64 on Monday, December 6, 2004 5:54 PM
Thanks mate!

Sounds risky and creepy to me.
Straighten up and fly right.....
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Greenville,Michigan
Posted by millard on Monday, December 6, 2004 8:01 PM
Also fly tying line can be used .Try about 1lb strength. I use it on WWI planes and ships. Than i will use a incense stick to tighten it with works great.I echo jtilley comment nice
ship.
Rod
  • Member since
    November 2003
Posted by richter111 on Monday, December 6, 2004 8:17 PM
I tighten my sprue with a blow dryer set on VERY LOW about a week or so after I have finished it. I want the glue to set up VERY VERY well. Also if you are one of us nasty bound for eternal heckydarn smokers, you can hold a lit cigarette under the line and the smoke will tighten it right up.

Ric
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: NSW, Australia
Posted by pingtang on Monday, December 6, 2004 8:35 PM
I use stretched sprue attached at both ends with CA glue. I then heat a metal rod (about the size of an airbrush needle) and hold it under the rigging. The failure rate is much lower once you've got the technique right. You've got to hold the heat pretty close until the rigging is tight enough for you.

You can also use a match for the same effect. Light the match and let it burn for a few seconds, then blow it out and hold the just extinguished match near the rigging you want to shrink.

hope this helps.
-Daniel
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Seattle
Posted by Papa-Echo-64 on Monday, December 6, 2004 8:56 PM
Thanks Rod!

Thanks mates!
Straighten up and fly right.....
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Seattle
Posted by Papa-Echo-64 on Monday, December 6, 2004 10:01 PM
I found the article!

For stretching monofilament or sprue.

It was a Medical cauterizing tool that can be found at most medical supply shops. They say it works much better than many other methods but they do not mention what the price is.

Its in the January 03 issue.

So I wonder if you can get monofilament in BLACK at 10, 15 and 20 pound ratings?
Straighten up and fly right.....
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