Stearman PT-17 rigging questions

A readily available rigging material is Invisible Sewing Thread, also available at Hobby Lobby.   An equivalent alternative - basically the same stuff - is fly-fishing leader material/monofilament  (Orvis/Cabelas/BassPro).  

Perhaps a more forgiving material is EZ Line,  an elastic thread.   It stretches, stays taut, and  forgives an errant finger poke (Wow look at that!  Boink!).   I got mine from Bobe's Hobbys.  

Both cement with superglue.  

Going the wire route -- stainless steel suture wire (medical supply house material or SmallParts).   Got a tube of 0.006" material.  Measure with a set of dividers,  cut with a sharp blade on a piece of tile or glass.  Wire cutters won't easily cut such fine material, rather bend it - and it will notch your good scissors.  Roll on a cutting mat using an emory board/sanding stick to straighten.   Glue in place with some white glue.  

BS214

You can use invisible thread from Hobby Lobby which comes in a couple of thicknesses. I attach it with a tiny drop of thin CA and if not too taught, a quick pass with the hair dryer will tighten it right up. I use the smoke colored one. You can make your own turnbuckles by stretching the plastic hollowed q tip handles.

Here's a picture of my Fokker Dv with the invisible thread painted silver and the home made turnbuckles.

I do not like rigid rigging. In order to stay straight it has to be too thick.  And you must cut it exactly.  Just a mil or two too long and it will have to bend, that much too short and it will make a weak bond. I use monofilament thread. I dye it before applying with a silver magic marker (the Stearman was late enough to use forged or drawn stainless for rigging).

Actually,  rigid steel wiring (.005" - .007") would be ideal in this case,  and is what I plan on using.  With the kits molded-on cabane struts and hollow wings,  there is going to be very little if any shifting of the flying surfaces,  so the rigging between the upper and lower wings is going to serve solely as decoration in this case without having to pull double duty enhancing structural integrity.  If you drill your holes deep enough,  then you only need to glue one end and let the other end  'float' in the opposite attachment point,  thereby offsetting any slight shift that may occur between the upper and lower wings during handling.  This also eliminates the need for exact lengths - a 16th of an inch too long would not be an issue at all,  serving more perhaps as insurance.

Good suggestion, ruddratt. I may just try that. Thanks.

I just finished my Stearman. I used guitar string.

What diameter?