Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Recommended Posts

Posted

 I’m just about finished with my AT-AT diorama.  The last part I’m having trouble with is finding a way to replicate the cable wrapped around the legs and trying to suspend the snow speeder with the tow cable alone. I’ve seen several guys use various guaged of wire  which look too heavy to be scale looking . I raided my wife’s jewelry making supplies and found that a 22 gauge wire is strong enough to hold the vehicle suspended in the air  without having to use a mounting stick attached to the base

however it does not look scale and is a little too thick still . I tried to use CA coated upholstery thread and that doesn’t seem to work either.  I have some really thin lengths  of styrene rod but they don’t have the strength to hold up the vehicle either. Does anyone have any other ideas? I’m all ears. 

F667F835-6CF2-425D-B84F-A74DBAB7C851.jpeg

DFFFE855-BBBA-4882-8473-670A3C5DB10F.jpeg

Posted

What about using the wire, but painting it with a metal color ( gunmetal or lighter) to make it appear thinner?

Also, piano wire that I use  when building slot cars and models is much more rigid.

Posted

Using acrylic rod as a stand is the norm for scale aircraft in such a setting. I think any metal wire you use to hold it horizontal will fatigue with time and then Luke and Dak will be in the snow. Before they, you know, would be in the snow. :wacko:

Image result for scale airplane clear stand

Posted

another idea -

How 'bout 28 or 30 gauge titanium wire?  surprisingly, it appears to be readily available online and relatively inexpensive.   It may be easier to work than piano wire.  I found some long ago when Boeing had a surplus store - they sold it by the pound but titanium weighs nearly nothing - wanted to use it for a slot car  but that project never happened.

I really like the weathering on your diorama. well done.

Posted

I have used Floral Stern Wire from Hobby Lobby. The 18 inch length wires are 22 ga. They can be easily bent by hand and they may even offer larger gauge wire. The 22 ga. wire may not be strong enough to position the other craft.  

Posted (edited)

Well here it is guys. I stopped by Hobby lobby today and found some black 20 gauge bead wire. Surprisingly it’s thinner then the silver plated wire I tried from my wife’s jewelry making kit. It looks like a decent scale and was easy to bend and best of all it suspends the snow speeder perfectly. Now I just have to add a little snow to the vehicles in this puppy is done

AB5E5CEF-EA33-420D-BF06-92D724468744.jpeg

3AD22266-DC7C-4929-B7B1-4D857D6E27E1.jpeg

Edited by Evlwevl
Posted
On 8/6/2019 at 8:38 AM, Muncie said:

another idea -

How 'bout 28 or 30 gauge titanium wire?  surprisingly, it appears to be readily available online and relatively inexpensive.   It may be easier to work than piano wire.  I found some long ago when Boeing had a surplus store - they sold it by the pound but titanium weighs nearly nothing - wanted to use it for a slot car  but that project never happened.

I really like the weathering on your diorama. well done.

 Thank you,  not too bad for 50 Cent Walmart acrylic paint.  I’m really liking these Tamiya weathering master kits as well. The only thing I’m finding is the applicator tears after a while Of rubbing it on a plastic model surface with any sort of protruding detail.  I’m going to see if dollar tree sells make up applicators

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...