Wire Rope?

[Bionic Modeler]

Also Big box hardware stores sell cable in some pretty small diameters. Might want to check them out. Usually in hardware section.

[nebeltex]

Hi-torque has the right idea. for towing cables on our tanks, we use straight "gun-metal metallic gray" on tea-bag twine. then, once dry, we pull them across burnt-seinna chalk pastels for a bit of rust effect...

[CharlieC]

Wire ropes should never be rusty. If they are the internal friction can be so high that the rope will fail catastrophically - wire ropes rely on the wires being able to slide past each other under load.

Regards,

Charlie

[nebeltex]

sorry Charls... lol! wrong.

[Jim Nunn]

Kevin,

I use rigging line for model ships this has a structure like wire rope and fewer loose threads than string or sewing thread. It is available in several sizes. I color the line with water colors using dark gray and over brushing blue to give it a steel appearance. Some hobby shops carry it and you can get it from ModelExpoInc.com on line.

Also check the fishing supplies area in a sporting goods store. Leader line is very flexible and is a miniature wire rope.

Jim Nunn

[Ron0909]

Sorry but I went snap happy with the camera! I bought this stuff at the dollar store. It's 7 strand (I think, can't recall) very flexible beading wire. It has a thin clear coating that can be removed easily. It's very much like aircraft cable but nice and small. This was for my yet unfinished Bergepanther's winch. If I do recall correctly it's available in natural, black and gold finish

Ron

[Don Boose]

Using the gold-colored wire would give a whole new meaning to the term "gold-plating miliary procurement."

But seriously, your question has brought in some interesting info, Kevin, and it looks like you found a useful product.

Meanwhile, I will save teabag strings and make sure they stay clear of rust for the safety of my miniature tankers.

Don

[modelperry]

I lean towards embroidery floss. Various colors are found in even big box stores like Walmart. The strands can be separated to get the size you need. Also, each strand is made of "sub" strands to retain that wire rope look. I have used it often for tow cables on tanks to good effect. You still may need to de-fuzz them using the information elsewhere in this thread, but flexibility should be no problem.

Greg

[kentyler]

i make wire cable in all scales for my ships

just use a ropewalk like they use to make model scale cable, and use copper wire instead of thread

you can get the copper wire in all sizes from bead suppliers

you can may any size you want

[John Wagenseil]

Bead stringing cable.
See what JoAnnes or Micheal's has in stock.