Newbie problem, damned if I can use the search engine. Everything I find that says it matches my search goes to some other page or to a page that's blank altogether.

So forgive me if this has been answered a dozen times already.

Newbie question; How do you make tight antenna wire for aerials? I've tried thread and stretched spruce, but haven't tried fishing line. After you give me direction as to what to use, how to you attach it to the craft? With spruce I have tried gluing through holes drilled into plane (looks bad) and have tried tying the thread (looks like tied thread). I do mostly 1/48 and 1/72 scale models and am okay at it, but this has always been one particular area that I can't get the hang of.

Thanks in advance!

-R

I use 2lb. fishing line. I dip one end in Zap-A-Gap CA (thick CA), then insert one end into a pre-drilled hole in the tail. I let it dry completely (I wait half an hour), then put a small drop on the antenna mast. Pulling on the fishing line, I lower it into place on the mast. I hold it there for a while (the most difficult part for me) until it holds. After another half an hour, I snip off the end with a pair of fingernail clippers. They let you get really close to the mast. I then paint them a very dark gray. Some modelers run a black magic marker over the aerial before they attach it.

Most of my areials were done this way. You can see them here: http://www.pix.prettyneatinc.com/galleries.htm

Hope this helps !

I'm sold. 2lb fishing line it is then! Never heard of Zap-A-Gap before, but I'll check the hobby shop for it. I assume it's like super glue.

Thanks for the tip!

Any tips on the search engine!

Zap-a-Gap is just a thick super glue. The name implies it use to fill gaps in kits. Any thick CA works. Best of luck and welcome to Armorama.


Jeff

i also use very fine fishing line as aerials, dont know what its technical name is, but its roughly the same thickness as hair, and something i found out about it is that if your lines are a little slack you can hold it over a lightbulb and the heat is enough to pull it taught, i think this might be a better option than matches cos thats just asking for trouble!

Hi Richard, Welcome to Armorama.
My method is similar to Bill's, but I use smoke coloured Invisible mending thread. Here is the sequence from my Spitfire on-line build (Found Here)




One of the reasons I use Invisible mending thread, is because it can be made properly taught by heat. I use a heated pin, just don't get to close. The full explanation is in the caption to this pick. Fishing line probably reacts the same way? However you don't need to colour the Invisible mending thread, if you use the smoke colour.

Mal

Try this........
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/105

Hope it helps. Chief

Hi Richard

I actually always use the other old stand-by - Heated Stretched Sprue with white-glue "insulators".



All the best

Rowan

Yes of course, another excellant method from Chief.
Here's a live link: Antenna wires from fishing line
Mal

Thank you...

Sir...Sir...Sir...Sir...Sir...and Sir!

I can't find 2lb test at any local sporting store, I'll look for the mending thread. Ah, nothing like a visit to the fabric store....