Hey gang,
I don’t know if this is old or new or if anyone even cares. If you need to make copper plumbing or wiring but can’t stand trying to bend solid copper, here’s an easy fix - use regular, run-of-the-mill solder and paint it with one or two coats of tamiya acrylic clear orange (X-26). The results are creepy realistic.
-Fred
Cool idea, Fred. I use solder a lot for wiring, and I use Tamiya clear orange over browns for simulating wood. Never even occured to me to try the clear over the solder for copper. I’m thinking a shot of clear flat over that might even enhance the effect a bit. Thanks…I’ll have to give it a try.
Hey Mike,
I just posted a thread in the Aircraft Forum (1/32 radial P&W R-2800 engine) with pics that show the “copper” wiring. Take a look and decide if you like the finish; it’s just 2 coats of the clear orange over the bare solder.
-Fred
OK - I have a feeling the answer is just going to be “the hardware store” - but I’ve never used, or even seen, solder - where would I get it and what would I ask or look for?
I got mine from Hudson-Allen Studio. It was packaged in 3 - 10’ lengths of .010", .020", and .030" diameter. Plus, there is a company called Archer that sells solder, and I was able to pick up a whole spool of .022" diameter from them for peanuts. Solder bends and cuts easily, can be glued into place with a CA when inserted into pre-drilled holes, and holds its shape well.
When looking for it for modeling purposes, what you are concerned with is the diameter…forget about whether or not it is organic, resin-core, etc., unless you plan on actually soldering with it.
Easiest place to find solder will be a Radio Shack. Being that you’re in NJ, there should be one somewhere near you (and according to the radio shack website, ther are 10 stores within a 10 mile radius of basking ridge).
I’ve found that .022" dia. makes for good ignition wiring in 1/32 scale models. Plus, as Mike said, it bends and cuts easily - unlike actual copper wire.
-Fred