Finally getting started on my Albatros DV for the campaign....
Thinking about the rigging- a few kit build ups I've read use .010 steel wire for the rigging. Any suggestions on the best way to use this? - measuring, what kinds of glue is best, etc.

Thanks!
Peter

Since I like to throw in my unsubstantiated opinions:
* Use dividers for the measuring
* CA if you want the wires to hold, maybe white glue to tack 'em in place
* drill holes at the correct angles to anchor them.

I think I'm going to go with the transparent gray sewing thread for my campaign entry.

Mika H

Hi Peter

I can't help much because I'm going to use stretched sprue and tighten it up with a hot pin... :-)

For what it's worth, I agree with MadMeex; use a pair of dividers to measure up and white glue to attach the wires. I imagine if you drill the holes a little too deep (careful on the wings!!), this will avoid the wire bowing...

Good luck - let know how it goes :-)

Rowan

Sorry for being late on this one
If you use steel wire it will have to be taught when it is fitted in place, ( the hot pin trick obviousely wont work on wire). If I were using stretched sprue I would use the method outlined by MadMeex. For invisable thread you could use a similar technique. For wire though, (I would also use this method with invisable thread) I would drill locating holes in the wings (assuming single piece wings) all the way through. Assemble the model, including painting. Then thread the wire through the holes, anchor, using CA, pull taught through it's opposite hole and glue. Trim off the excess and touch up the paint. For two part wings drill through the opposing halves, attatch the bottom of the top wing and the top of the bottom wing, thread and glue the wire as before. No need to worry about trimming as the loose ends will be inside the wing. Attach the other halves of the wings, clean up seams and paint. Sounds like fun :-)
I haven't actually done this, but I think it's about the only way you could rig with wire, and have it taught. Unless of course you were to fit rings to the wings, thread the wire through them, then back on themselves, through a miniture tube (turn-buckle) and glue and trim it there. That sounds like just as much fun :-) I think I like that idea best, now :-)
Let us know how you get on.
Mal

Hi Mal

It's no wonder you're building a Fokker DVII!! :-) You'll hardly have any cables to do at all - you lucky *!£%$^%*^!!

All the best

Rowan

Since wire kinks under my 'bull in a china shop' ways, I have had good luck with invisable thread and CA. I also tape the thread done under tension while the glue is drying so I do not have to hold it. I drink to much coffee to be steady for any length of time.
capnjock

:-) Rowan


I actually entererd the campaign meaning to try out the technique I described, but hving started late I knew I deffinately wouldn't finish if I had to rig the plane I wanted to do, an
SE-5 :-)
Mal

Hi Mal

My Dream Machine!!! :-)

If only Eduard would hurry up and release one...

All the best

Rowan

i use fine fishing line with pre drilled holes held in place with ca the drill i use is a .003 mil this makes cleaning up the holes easy,just trim off the excess line and put a dot of paint on job done :-)

I've been out of the net for months, so my answer is very late. I use steel wire, purchased from either a hobby shop or music store (guitar strings). If you are building 1/32 or even 1/48 you can you different size wires depending on what you are replicating. I drill holes of appropriate sizes in the wings, tail planes, and/or fuselage prior to construction. I measure length with calipers and cut the wire slightly long. I fit the wire and if too long trim a little at a time till wire fits without bowing. If drilled holes are correct size I have been able to get away without glue, or with glue at only one end of wire.

The advantage of steel wire is that it is rigid, doesn't change length with changes in temperature and/or humidity, and looks like "wire".

For external control cables, particularly on 1/32 biplanes I use "invisible thread" or hair from my daughters head (she has long dark and straight hair).

um.... use them across the the wings in dioangles

Not to change the subject: BUT!!!! I wished someone would make a 48 ,32 of 25 scale model of the Halberstadt CL II FIghter Bomber. Preferably. One that is partly made of white metal and Plastic. With Rubber tires, Etc, WHY?? Well a guy I once knew. Had one. And the way it looked and felt after he had finished it. Has never left my mind. And since I once asked him, Years later. If he remembered where he got it and what the name of the manufacturer was. He did not remember either items. He told me that it was the only model he ever built.. Since then I have searched around hoping to find it. But no luck. Knowing his family the way I did. They probably bought it for him on one of thier round the world trips. just to give him some thing to do. BUT still I can only hope and dream that someday I might get the chance to build one similar to it.