Cheap and good looking don’t go together all the time and is true with cables for 1/35 scale tanks This a a cut and paste of a section in a post I put in the GB section. Thought I would share it here for you non Gb folks.
I’ve tried twisting all different kinds of wire in all different combinations and while some were OK… they were just OK. If the twist was in any way uneven it didn’t look right. I’ve tried picture hanging wire before but it was of such poor quality… in the way it was twisted… it didn’t look good either. I looked at the picture wire section again and found one I had not seen before made by “Ook”. It’s covered with a clear plastic sheathing like an electric wire but the twist looked very even. After taking the plastic off, annealing the cable to soften I tightened the twist and I am very pleased with the way it turned out. The 1st pic below is a close up of some wires/cables. From left to right., what usually comes in a Dragon kit and looks more like a rope than a cable, Then the Ook wire with the plastic off before and after annealing and tightening. And an AM cable for armor. Except for the fact the twist is opposite… and I won’t tell anyone of you don’t… the last 2 look pretty darn close to me.
The AM cable… $6 each and ya need 2. The Ook cables… 9 feet for 3 clams. At that price the twist nearly looks like it goes the right way after all.
I know I am not around as much as I used to be and it may be that we just have not crossed paths but…
DM LIVES!
Hi Steve… long time no see.
Appreciate the thanks but not necessary. When I find sing or figure out something that can a modeler a lot dough… happy to share.
"round here the Ook stuff is available at Home Depot and Michael’s. and a BTW, not sure if ir comers in different sizes, but since the specify on the package I am guessing the do, this was #18.
Tony, it is stiff on the stiff side but less so than before the task. It does bend better though, Less springy.
Tread, are you referring to the saw I used to cut the up armor? It’s the JLC saw. Be careful though. When you buy one you may spend sleepless nights trying to figure out how you got on without one. Definitely not a uni-tasker.
You are right wing_nut. The tow cable is one kit part that is most neglected by model manufacturers. In my years of modelling, I have tried practically everything to make a fairly good cable. The manufacturers have cotton threads, wires and plastic but none works. Thanks for this post.
