Making and painting scale rope

Dwayne, seeing as you will need to buy stuff to colour the rope anyway, you could save yourself time and hassle and get some ship rigging rope. I think i used the .5mm for tieing down on my vehicles and comes in the right colour.

So, ship guy here.

It's hard to twist strands together to make rope without the right tool. Basically, rope holds itself together because a reverse twist is put on each strand as it is twisted together, essentially making the strands try to bind to each other as the rope tries to unravel.

If the need comes up for good looking scale rope in any length, there's a great online store called Syren thats sells really great stuff.

https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/miniature-rope.php

For this project, I'd use sewing thread. A good way to control fuzz is to run the thread through candle wax. Of course that's after you color it.

Can't make it lighter, only darker. I've tried tea, coffee and other stains. You could try really thinned enamel paint.

Go dark. Brand new rope looks funny.

Bish

Dwayne, seeing as you will need to buy stuff to colour the rope anyway, you could save yourself time and hassle and get some ship rigging rope. I think i used the .5mm for tieing down on my vehicles and comes in the right colour.

 

D

Not sure if its thje same one you found, but that link that GM posted has a good selection. In the UK i can only get black and hemp. Its what i used on the Pz II i finished a while back.

And yep, it will last for ages.

GMorrison

So, ship guy here.

It's hard to twist strands together to make rope without the right tool. Basically, rope holds itself together because a reverse twist is put on each strand as it is twisted together, essentially making the strands try to bind to each other as the rope tries to unravel.

If the need comes up for good looking scale rope in any length, there's a great online store called Syren thats sells really great stuff.

https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/miniature-rope.php

For this project, I'd use sewing thread. A good way to control fuzz is to run the thread through candle wax. Of course that's after you color it.

Can't make it lighter, only darker. I've tried tea, coffee and other stains. You could try really thinned enamel paint.

Go dark. Brand new rope looks funny.

 

D

Just an addendum, for those who like to use thread for such purposes.

Those who don't sew---or have a family member or significant other who do---may not realize there are heavier woven threads readily available which more closely resemble rope or cord 'in scale.' Heavier button threads, and especially carpet threads, can be very useful stuff for the hobbyist and modeler.

Cheers

gregbale

Just an addendum, for those who like to use thread for such purposes.

Those who don't sew---or have a family member or significant other who do---may not realize there are heavier woven threads readily available which more closely resemble rope or cord 'in scale.' Heavier button threads, and especially carpet threads, can be very useful stuff for the hobbyist and modeler.

Cheers

 

I have noticed that I don't look at the world the same way I used to.  I pay attention to colors and hues (sp?) of all sorts of things, especially in terms of weathering.  I look at objects I never really paid attention to before, and think, is that a good scale representation of (insert model part here).  Wine bottle metal foil, creamer cups as paint mixers, bottle caps for small amounts of paint for brushing and small clamps in the hardware store and  wire in the beading section at Michael's are just some examples of what I never would have given a thought to.  And I have to say....it's really fun!

Anyway, my typical long-winded way of saying thanks for all the great suggestions.

D

ManCityFan

I have noticed that I don't look at the world the same way I used to. I pay attention to colors and hues (sp?) of all sorts of things, especially in terms of weathering. I look at objects I never really paid attention to before, and think, is that a good scale representation of (insert model part here). Wine bottle metal foil, creamer cups as paint mixers, bottle caps for small amounts of paint for brushing and small clamps in the hardware store and wire in the beading section at Michael's are just some examples of what I never would have given a thought to. And I have to say....it's really fun!

Fun it is...but as time goes by and you collect more and more of that 'cool stuff' for future or 'someday' projects...you'll find they'll eventually need their own room.

In addition, of course, to the separate room for all your kits....

Dman,

to coin a phrase "ain't that the truth "  I too look at the world diferently now as well...in miniature. I work at the Daytona speedway and I am constantly looking down especially near the pits or garage area finding little bits and bobs that fell off a wrecked vehicle. Stuff that may find their way into my stock of "that looks like it could be used for this' kind of thing. heck now I find myself doing that where ever I go.

I had a tip on rope for you but these guys had way better advice. Any way ,I use braided fishing line for my scale rope and it looks the part painted with Tamiya buff and oil wash but I'm gonna scrap that and use the aformentioned site too.

gregbale

 

ManCityFan

I have noticed that I don't look at the world the same way I used to. I pay attention to colors and hues (sp?) of all sorts of things, especially in terms of weathering. I look at objects I never really paid attention to before, and think, is that a good scale representation of (insert model part here). Wine bottle metal foil, creamer cups as paint mixers, bottle caps for small amounts of paint for brushing and small clamps in the hardware store and wire in the beading section at Michael's are just some examples of what I never would have given a thought to. And I have to say....it's really fun!

 

 

Fun it is...but as time goes by and you collect more and more of that 'cool stuff' for future or 'someday' projects...you'll find they'll eventually need their own room.

In addition, of course, to the separate room for all your kits....

 

In the past I have done the technique you mentioned with twisting strands of thread into rope and then using white glue to hold it all in place.  If I can not find the right color thread, I will take white thread and soak it in hot tea or coffee depending on the color I want.  Once dry I then twist the strands into rope. 

Also picture hanger wire comes in several different twisted wire sizes.  This can be painted to look like rope but also makes great tow cables.

Hey D,

Not sure if you're still on the hunt for scale rope. But Michael's has .003 up to 1.00 twine that looks just like rope that would be used on a tank or half-track. I hope you find what you're looking for.

While I do often use thinned white glue on the thread in those kinds of applications, it is the wetness that makes the thread behave, so you do not need to use the white glue if you don't want to-just wet it.  I have never painted it, just pick the right color to start with.  However, after it has thoroughly dried, I have applied a dark wash to a light colored thread to highlight the texture.

Thanks all for the great suggestions.  I settled on ordering from Syren.  Their stuff is just fantastic, and very reasonably priced.  I also like supporting companies for modelers started by modelers like this one.  I will now have enough scale rope to last for years.

I am finding that I am enjoying armor more than aircraft, so I think this will come in handy with many future projects.

Hope this thread can help some other folks down the line.

D

ManCityFan

Thanks all for the great suggestions.  I settled on ordering from Syren.  Their stuff is just fantastic, and very reasonably priced.  I also like supporting companies for modelers started by modelers like this one.  I will now have enough scale rope to last for years.

I am finding that I am enjoying armor more than aircraft, so I think this will come in handy with many future projects.

Hope this thread can help some other folks down the line.

D

 

GMorrison

So, ship guy here.

It's hard to twist strands together to make rope without the right tool. Basically, rope holds itself together because a reverse twist is put on each strand as it is twisted together, essentially making the strands try to bind to each other as the rope tries to unravel.

If the need comes up for good looking scale rope in any length, there's a great online store called Syren thats sells really great stuff.

https://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/miniature-rope.php

For this project, I'd use sewing thread. A good way to control fuzz is to run the thread through candle wax. Of course that's after you color it.

Can't make it lighter, only darker. I've tried tea, coffee and other stains. You could try really thinned enamel paint.

Go dark. Brand new rope looks funny.

 

Great products. Thank you for the link!

Just a quick picture of Syren rope on my model:

Thank you GMorrison for the link.  This is a detail that would have bothered me if it didn't look right.

Most rope that I've seen, especially after a few days in the sun, is a lot more gray than you would think.  The sunlight and rain seems to bleach out the tan color.

Jack

jrb53

Most rope that I've seen, especially after a few days in the sun, is a lot more gray than you would think.  The sunlight and rain seems to bleach out the tan color.

Jack

 

Next model I will try a wash and see if I can match what I remember.

Thanks for the comment.

D

if you want to see some incredible rope work , check this out

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/170876.aspx

steve5

if you want to see some incredible rope work , check this out

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/170876.aspx

 

ManCityFan

 

 

steve5

if you want to see some incredible rope work , check this out

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/170876.aspx

 

 

 

 

All I can say is wow....just wow.  Thanks for posting the link.