I have started working on this superscale kit and am having trouble with the fuselage rigging - getting the thread rigging through the small copper pipe as detailed in the instructions. If there is anybody out there who can help with this, or who has build the triplane and solved this problem I would appreciate some help!
James
[#welcome], James
I haven’t built the kit, but you have two options I can think of. Stiffening the thread to make it easier to push through, or attaching it to something that can be used to thread it like a bit of fishing line or fine wire. What is the diameters???
The problem is that opposite ends of the same bit of thread needs to go though the copper tube, again at opposite ends, so that they cross over within the tube. the internal diameter of the tube is nearly the same of the thread.
James
I don’t know if this will help but it is an idea. Try wrapping the thread around a candle and pulling it so that the thread rubs the wax and gets a wax coating on it. This will protect the thread from the elements, and also lubricates it. It will also make the thread a little stiffer so that pushing it thriough the tube should be easier. This is an old ship rigging trick.
The wax prevents the thread from deteriorating over time, and the lubrication makes tying knots easier. The stiffer thread has a more realistic look to it. You may also consider getting nylon thread, as apposed to say cotton or a blended thread(cotton/rayon). Just some thoughts. rangerj
Additional thoughts:
After you complete a section of the model, say for example the fuselage, you may want to consider coating the wood parts with a wood sealer. this prevents the wood from absorbing moisture and will extend its life.
I don’t think you’ll find many of us who have built that big beauty, but I for one have fantasized about it for twenty years. What I wouldn’t do to be in your shoes right now! But, to your question, but rangerj is right on. It is a basic part of ship modeling to always have a block of bees wax on hand. You run the thread through the block (it will form a groove soon, and you run your line a couple of time through the groove to a)make it stiff so it’ll go through tight spots and b) remove any fuzz from it that makes it look like the thread that it is. Bees wax can be found at any art supply store, and, since it is used to seal up the threaded parts of airbrushes, you can get it from anywhere that sells airbrushes. You can even get Badge or Paasche beeswax.
TOM
I’ve built the 1/8 Dr1. What I did to get the thread through the copper tubing was put
a drop of super glue on the thread about an inch back from the ends and dragged the thread between my thumb and forefinger twisting it in the direction of the lay of the thread much like getting ready to thread a needle. I had no problem at all with it. Just be careful not to get your fingers stuck together.
As for dragging the thread through beeswax or any other kind of wax, this is a good and
valid technique for ship model rigging but…DON’T DO IT! ! ! The glue won’t stick to the
thread inside the tubing. I was looking at my DR1’s fuselage rigging and for a kit of this
scale, the detail is pretty poor. I don’t know if I’ll do it or not but a more realistic way would
be to twist some fine wire into loops and glue these loops of wire into each end of the copper tube thereby simulating turnbuckles.
Ray
I think Ray is on to something here. Finding turnbuckels at 1 1/4" (1 1/4" = 12") scale shouldn’t be too difficult - there is a WWI forum out there where they would know about such things. Maybe even 1/96th scale tug boat cable turnbuckels might work. Besides, here’s right about the super glue trick.
Thanks for the help guys. I’ll try your way Ray. I have some surgical gloves which will help with the gluing the fingers together, besides, I have some solvent to hand too!
James