Make your own tow cables...cheap and easy

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I thought I would share this on the armor forum. AM cables are costly, so I came up with this, I hope it can be of some use to all our friends…

First go to the LHS and Radio Shack/Walmart and buy these guys… (the shipbuilder rope comes in a variety of diameters to cover all scales):

Then cut the shipbuilder thread to the length you wish and loop the end…(you may want to adda drop of CA to secure it), cut a section of shrink tube…

Pass the loop thru the shrink tube section…

Apply a hair dryer (heat) to the shrink tube and you get this…

Repeat at the other end…presto! a pretty realistic cable, and you have enough material to make cables for about 50 vehicles, all for about $8.00USD

To finish, I dip mine in a wash medium like this…

and I get this…

After drybrushing with some SNJ aluminum powder, you get this…

Hope this helps some of you newer armor modelers on a budget,

Steve

2

Now that is the easiest way I have seen- and I need some for my Ferdinand. Thanks! One question- is there a particular size for the heat shrink tubing? Or is it multi sized as well

3

Excellent!

I usually do a twisted-wire thing, with the OEM ends cut off the cable and glued to the new wire, but this is a thousand times better…gotta try this with my next one.

4

Jason,

The shrink tube comes in a variety of sizes, this is 1/8th but don’t sweat it, you can use up to 1/4 inch, it’ll keep shrinking just put more heat to it.

Steve

5

Perfect. Looks like I need to make a shopping trip

6

Cool idea! I’m gonna try it. Thanks!

7

What a fantasic idea!

Regards, Dan

8

Outstanding. Looks very quick, easy, and best of all, cheap. Thanks a bunch, Steve.

9

My only problem would to be find the ship builder rope.

I know there is no way in heck my LHS is gonna have that.

Heck they didn’t even have liquid cement the last time I was in there.

I will have to remember that if I ever find the stuff.

10

Perfect timing on that tip. Thanks.

11

Jeff,

I was on business in Whitby a few weeks ago, I looked in the phone book and there are at least three fully stocked hobby shops in the area. Just take a drive one Saturday and head up Toronto way, you’ll find Nirvana, Plus, you can try MIchaels (the craft store) I’m sure they carry an equivalent.

Steve

12

That is one great tip! I had played around with picture hanging wire and lead foil,but this is kick A!!! Take something out of petty cash and get a new kit.[bow]

13

Excellent little tip Crockett thanks,I will give it a try!

14

[:D]that is one of the best ways to make cablesthat i have seen,thanks for the info[:D]

15

just like jason, i need to make one for my ferdinand, so perfect timing! Thanks a lot!

16

Great tip, beautifully presented!

17

good stuff crocket

18

That looks fast and easy! Beats trying to superglue picture wire to plastic tow hooks! What diameter rope matches 1/35 scale?

19

Peter,

I knew someone would ask that question, and since I used my calibrated eyeball, I really haven’t measured the OD. It looked the same as the kit DIA so I bought it. Off hand I would say it’s 1/16th. I also bought the 1/32nd rope for the track cable on the side of my Tiger.

Steve

20

That is a great tip indeed! But what is this shrink tube? what is it used for (normally)? and where can I get it?

Mark