How do I tighten antenna wires?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

IF I am using thread or monofil fishing line on small 1/72 scale planes what is the best way to tighten these for using as an antennna?[?]

2

You can straighten sagging stretched sprue by passing low heat source (burnt out match) under it. Be careful not to get too close.

3

Hi jaysun,

Generally, thread will be too thick, in scale. 2lb test fishing line (longer than needed) can be super glued to one mast, allowed to dry thoroughly, then gently pulled tight, putting a spot of glue on the 2nd mast… then cut away the excess.

I usually use stretched spru if the model will be displayed in a protective display case, because it can be stretched very thin. Below is an illustration how I do that…

Hope this helps,
Take care,
Frank

4

The best idea the has existed for a long time and will work on streached sprue. If you take a lighted cigarette (yes, I smoke (it’s a bad habit)) and hold it under (but not touching) the streached sprue. And wham it’s tight. Even if you don’t smoke, you could still use this method to get the “wire” tight.

5

Nice job on the illustration OH !

I would just add to step 1 - Once you’ve got the saggy plastic, stretch the sprue away from the flame. I dont know why, but when I first tried this, I thought I had to keep it over the flame to get it thinner. It took me a while to figure out that the stretching process has to be away from the flame.

Chris

6

Thanks Chris… seldom will I use a candle to stretch spru, I see now how the illustration might suggest that, thanks! I’ll adjust it.

I always use a Bic lighter to heat a piece of spru… when the plastic gets limber, but before it flames, (can be stretched quite thin from VERY hot plastic) lay down the lighter and drop one end while raising the other one… this creates ultra thin strands. Less heat & less pull for thicker sections.

Learning to use spru opened up a whole new world of modeling for me… in a time when AM & PE didn’t exist, for me anyhow.

Take care,
Frank

7

thanks for the useful information and that’s an awesome diagram frank. Vance I probably won’t take up smoking though. That stuff will kill ya. [:D]

8

Question: if you use monofilament line, will the heat source (blown out match, etc) method tighten it as well?
Thx, John

9

Hmmm… don’t know John… it sounds like a good idea for a research study! [:)]

I’ll let you know… [;)]
Take care,
Frank

10

I usually use 2lb. monofiliment line and stretched sprue at times except that the slightest bump against sprue and it breaks. In either case, though, I tighten the antenna wire using a hair dryer set at medium and starting from a distance away and as I get closer, it snaps tight. As far as cementing antenna wire in place, I have found that using watch crystal cement works best because the tube itself only lets out a small amount of glue that’s clear and cures quickly.

11

Great tips, jreisner, thanks! [:)]

Take care,
Frank

12

its’ amazing the amount of things i don’t even think about. I’d better not ask if it would work of the wifes hair (thats what i use…)
I’ve stretched sprue before but didn’t think about that fantastic tightening method. Will have to give it a try.
Cheers lads

13

There is another way also if you dont want to take up smoking or keep lighting matches(so you might as well take up smoking ha ha) and that is to pass a soldering iron that is heated up just underneath the line I use this method if I dont feel like a smoke at the time,yeah its bad for ya but what isnt?