What do you guys use for spark plug wire? I found some on detailmaster.com, but of course I wanted to come up with some clever home-grown solution, which, as usual, backfired. That led me to spend 4 bucks at Lowe’s for small small braided wire, which was still too large to connect to my 1/24 distributor cap. Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
1/16" black plastic elastic cord used to make beaded jewelry - maddening to attach
12lb. braided wire for hanging picture frames - too large
Black thread - too small
Metal wire painted black - too stiff
Is there some cool way around ordering the specialty stuff?
Electrial wire from old electronics or break down an visit Radio Shack or other electronics supply store. Solder also works too.
You can also use monofiliment fishing line. Just find the correct “test” that offers you the best thickness you need. It will hold its shape well and can be painted any color you want. It also works great for stainless steel lines when painted silver. If you have trouble bending it, you can dip it in near boiling water to soften.
Now, here’s an excellent lesson for you and anyone else reading this thread: think of the money you’ve spent wasted trying to find suitable replacements for a product which is *already designed to be accurate–*and at only a few measly bucks to boot!
I see guys doing this al the time it seems—trying to find stuff to substitute for a purpose-made solution that only costs really, pennies more! If you were designing a cheaper spray booth for like, 50% less, THEN I would say, hey, right on!
Save yourself the trouble, and stop wasting your money–order the stuff from Detail Master. It’s flat finish (as it should be), comes in oodles of colors, and it conforms to shape and holds it easier than standard wire. You won’t be sorry.
You can also order pre-wired distributors from I think “Doug’s modeling Garage” (?) which save you a lot of time and effort–check ebay for them.
Bship1969- You Can Use Phone Wire. First You Strip The Coating Off They Have 4 Different Color Wires No Painting Necessary Also An Old Audio Wire Will Work Too. To Finish It Off Get Some Pre-Drilled Distributors. I Hope This Works For You.
hey all, new to the board- I have been using thread for years until i used what bship uses phone wire is perfect and i use the copper wires inside the wire for my carb return springs- I also found that archery fletching makes for outstanding plumbing hose and misc hosing you might use. I love making the engines appear to be ready to run it really helps make a model stand out to people that have not seen a model in a long time-
I tend to agree with the Doog however I still like making stuff myself which is sort of the reason I enjoy modelling anyway. When our phones were redone some years ago there was heaps of different coloured smll diameter wire which I picked up and still have. Also I’ve used fuse wire which comes in all sorts of sizes and coloured.
While the phone wire looks good scale that up. That is some BEEFY spark plug wires. I don’t know any manufacturer that makes spark plug wires of that diameter. WE’re talking like 15-20 mm wire, when that stuff is scaled up. Which tends to make the model look a bit more toylike, although not always.
I gotta disagree with Doog completely. A roll of 50ft .30 gauge wire from Radio Shack will last you for years for $4 while a few loops of wire from Detail Master will last you for maybe three builds. Lets not even get me started on metal fittings. 12 for $9 from Detail Master, when you can get 1000 hex beads at Michaels for $1.19.
Unless you are an absolute stickler for perfect scale and appearance, the .30 wrapping wire at Radio Shack, and the beading aisle at Michaels are your best friends. For less than $30 you’ll have enough stuff to detail for the rest of your natural life. Anything you can buy at a cottage industry company you can find an alternative cheaper elsewhere if you look or fabricate yourself. But if $60 of aftermarket parts per build is your thing, hey that’s fine. But the low buck meathod keeps the wife happy, and she lets me do my thing, and that’s something I can’t put a price on.
