Hi all.
I am ready to install the antenna wires on my P-40 that go from fin to wingtips. I intend to use streached sprue to do this.
What do you guys use to drill such a small hole (arround 0.3mm) into wich the wire is glued onto the plane???
Thanx
Theuns
I use a micro drill in a pin vise. Could also use a needle, just push in a bit.
If you’re careful you can also use a fresh (sharp) exacto blade, spin it very slowly until you start to get the hole you need.
Use the right tool for the right job.
A set of micro drills will cost you around $20
-sean
This.
In a case like yours I’d drill a tiny hole with a #80 drill. A tiny spot of CA on the line and poke it into the hole. Done. Actually, on the P-40B I built I used one long wire to go from one wing tip to the other through a small wire loop I attached to the top of the vertical stabilizer. Made it a lot easier to do than trying to run three separate wires.
Yep, pin vice and a #80 bit. A decent set of bits from #60-80 is inexpensive and you will find a lot of uses for them. And I agree, a tiny blob of CA on the tip of the sprue, shove it in the hole, and wait for it to dry. Then attach the other end. Any sags, you can fix at the end with the judicious application of heat.
Thanx for the ideas guys. Here in Southe Africa we are sometimes a tad “back water” when it comes to model speciality supplies 
I will go try and find the drill, failing that I will see if a needle used for dentestry does the trick, they are very thin. I like the idea of the small loop on the fin and one wire, I was wondering how to get a good joint there.
Theuns
Hi Theuns;
You can get the drill bits pretty much anywhere online. One thing I would like to mention, sprue breaks.
Take a look here, all the rigging done there was done with polyester/nylon thread teased out of an old sock.
the wonderful thing about that stuff is it will will stretch a little, if you accidentally ding it you won’t have to reapply.
[more photos here: http://onetofortyeight.com/Assets/Galleries/BristolFighter/WnW/ ]
-cheers
-sean
Very helpfull idea re the nylon. I have had the sprue break on me and it is a real pain to fix. I will defenately give that a go.
It must have driven you bonkers to do all those chequers[:D[
Theuns
I never use sprue for antenna but use invisible thread instead. If it’s a little slack a small amount of heat will tighten it up and it’s not nearly as delicate as stretched sprue. Dealing with stretched sprue is a dark art I’ll never master.
Have any of you folks tried fishing line for antenna wires? Just wondering how it takes to CA or other glues.
pretty close, I thnk that ws around 45 hours of paint - well an hour of paint & 44 of masking - over maybe 6 months. All the rigging took about 25 hours or so
-thanks
-sean
Not that you asked, but I’d avoid using sprue for antennae wire…use filament of some sort or cat whiskers…sprue sometimes has “memory” and will shrink or twist after you get it in place…also easier to string filament…human hair also works well…(if you can’t find cat whiskers)…
Y’know what? if you are looking for wire/antennae materials, advice and methods, take a peek over at
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/models/
those WWI guys will give all you need and WAY more…
-sean
Now I dont keep a stash of cats around for their whiskers like Manny…but I have used the sprue…on the antenna masts a drop of liquid cement will soften the mast and the sprue to a point to where you can press them together to make a single piece of plastic…no too much pressure thought or you will deform the mast…if there is slack a little bit of heat will tighten it up…(dont know if the heat works with cats)…
meow!!!
carlos
I’ve found that if you hold the cat’s whisker securely in a pair of tweezers, and apply heat to his backside with the other hand, he will leap forward leaving the whisker hanging in the tweezers ready for use.[;)]
Don’t try that with long-haired breeds though, they are more likely to catch fire before they feel the heat…
Theuns,
Instead of model specialty supplies, find a welding supply store. You should be able to pick up a oxy-acetelyene “tip cleaning” set for under R10. This is identical to a pin vice and set of micro-drill bits without the expense of having the word “Hobby” attached to it…
All the best
Ray
come on Vance…thats a very basic error you are commiting…everyone knows you have to shave them first…the stuble makes them easier to grip…
MEOW!!!
carlos
Thanx for the tip re the cleaning equipement, I will give it a try.
I like the idea of the cat wiskers, but here in deepest darkest Africa we have mostly man eating Lions. I wonder how the tweezer/heat thing will work on them…If you don’t hear from me again, then don’t try it on any of your Mountain Lions either [:D]
I will be spraying to matt clear soon and hope to then do the wisker/wire thing
Theuns