Unconventional Materials - From the jewelry area

[Straightliner59]

On 12/23/2023 at 8:45 AM, ColonelKrypton said:

 

The smallest commonly found coax cables can be found having outside diameters ( of the PVC insulation on the outside of the cable ) of 0.81mm, 1.13mm, 1.32mm, 1.37mm, 1.48mm and larger.

The outside diameter of the braided shield of the 0.81mm coax is around 0.65mm.

search on amazon ( or eBay ) for u.fl pigtail or ufl pigtail or ipex pigtail and you will these short ( 6 inches, 8 inches, 12 inches and some longer ) pigtails ( SMA connecter on one end and the U.FL / IPEX on the other). look for the longer ones and the ones using the size of coax you desire ( i.e. 081 or 0.81mm or 1.13  seem to be the most common )

You will also notice some having RG-178 or RG-174 cable - these are much larger than 0.81mm or 1.13mm cables, RG-178 has an outside diameter of 0.072 inches ( 1.8mm ) 

If you are lucky and happen to find an old wireless router or two ( or three ), you get luckier still and find some of this small diameter coax cable inside the router case. 

seems a shame to buy these pigtail cables and cut the connecters off to throw away. A couple of long length pigtails and you should have enough to last quite some time. That is what I did.

 

cheers, Graham 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I now have a couple headed my way. I can remember when the best thing we could find for braided line was solder wick. It was horrible! I'm looking forward to giving this stuff a look. I may order some of the 1.13 diameter, as well.

[stitchdup]

Another option for braided line can befound in fishing shops that carry kits to make your own flies. There are braided fishing lines that comes on 150ft reels. It is hollow, and if you need a larger diameter you can use wire inside to bulk it up, or to make it hold its shape. You will need very sharp cutter for it or it will fray at the ends but the cutters are available too for around 5 bucks. the fishing line is around 15-20 bucks. It can be painted with acrylics if you plastic prime first. the larger sizes can be thickened up to do radiator lines too. i'll get some pics when i get back home

[NOBLNG]

This is my first attempt at braided lines. This thread is elastic, but once I have it routed where I want, I coat it with thin CA. The CA soaks in and helps the thread hold its shape. Then I just painted it with Tamiya silver paint.

Edited December 26, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Straightliner59]

20 hours ago, stitchdup said:

Another option for braided line can befound in fishing shops that carry kits to make your own flies. There are braided fishing lines that comes on 150ft reels. It is hollow, and if you need a larger diameter you can use wire inside to bulk it up, or to make it hold its shape. You will need very sharp cutter for it or it will fray at the ends but the cutters are available too for around 5 bucks. the fishing line is around 15-20 bucks. It can be painted with acrylics if you plastic prime first. the larger sizes can be thickened up to do radiator lines too. i'll get some pics when i get back home

That's what I used or the return lines on the Nostalgia Top Fueler. I want to find more sizes, because I love the stuff! The stuff I found is sinking line, so it has a heavy core (feels like lead, but...) which is great for getting it to stay "posed".

[stitchdup]

3 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

That's what I used or the return lines on the Nostalgia Top Fueler. I want to find more sizes, because I love the stuff! The stuff I found is sinking line, so it has a heavy core (feels like lead, but...) which is great for getting it to stay "posed".

thats sligthly different, the stuff i have is just the braided part. and due to the braiding it can be squashed back on itself lengthways and wire put inside. i can get the 2mm to open up to 6mm but any bigger and the braid opens and can look a bit naff. i found the largest selection of sizes in the loch flies section but thats a scottish thing. it might be called the lake section  for anyone outside scotland

Edited December 27, 2023 by stitchdup

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, stitchdup said:

thats sligthly different, the stuff i have is just the braided part. and due to the braiding it can be squashed back on itself lengthways and wire put inside. i can get the 2mm to open up to 6mm but any bigger and the braid opens and can look a bit naff. i found the largest selection of sizes in the loch flies section but thats a scottish thing. it might be called the lake section  for anyone outside scotland

That's kind of my thinking with the .081 coax. If I can slip it off the core, I can use it around other diameters of wire. I got that idea, when I ran across a short section of something larger, and was able to do that. Virtually all of this kind of stuff in the modeling aftermarket comes from somewhere else--some other pursuit. The trick is finding the source!? I'll look around for some of the fly-tying braid. Thanks for the tip, on that!

[stitchdup]

3 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

That's kind of my thinking with the .081 coax. If I can slip it off the core, I can use it around other diameters of wire. I got that idea, when I ran across a short section of something larger, and was able to do that. Virtually all of this kind of stuff in the modeling aftermarket comes from somewhere else--some other pursuit. The trick is finding the source!? I'll look around for some of the fly-tying braid. Thanks for the tip, on that!

i can easy send you some, i have 2 sizes and i'll never use it all

[Straightliner59]

6 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

i can easy send you some, i have 2 sizes and i'll never use it all

That's very kind of you, Les! Shall I PM my address? My youngest sister lives in Scotland, but, I don't recall where. I think it's a more remote area, though.

[stitchdup]

53 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

That's very kind of you, Les! Shall I PM my address? My youngest sister lives in Scotland, but, I don't recall where. I think it's a more remote area, though.

yeah, i can get it posted in the morning if the storm has passed

[stitchdup]

A source for free clear plastic for doing glass is your local phone/laptop/tech repair shops. Every new screen comes in decent clear packaging and the shops have to pay to dump it. I've been getting 2 carrier bags full every month from them as my friend works there and its costing them a lot each month to send it for recycling, so they keep it for me. it needs sorting as some is a little distorted but most of it is good

[Jiml0001]

There is currently some .81 mm coaxial cable on eBay.  Out of Germany.    He is selling 100cm piece (just over 3 feet) for about $5.00 US.   With shipping about $11.00 US.  

[Jiml0001]

There is also .81 coax on AliExpress.   Search for RF0.81mm and you will see it.   20 meters (over 60 feet) for less than $10.00.  

[peteski]

Yes, there are many sources of (inexpensive) shielded cables, but the braiding pattern of the shield does not look much like scaled down 1:1 braided lines.

The braided lines Pro Tech Model sells very closely approximates the 1:1 braiding pattern.  That makes the model look more realistic.  But I guess some aren't as picky as I am. I also understand that the cost comes into play. Still, why no make our models as realistic as possible, even if it costs few extra dollars?

This is what they say about their braided line:  "PRO TECH's Braided Line has been specially engineered to produce the most accurate looking braided line available, so you can achieve realistic results.  Also, all of our braided line is manufactured with a core, so line will not collapse when bent at sharp angles. "

[ColonelKrypton]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Yes, there are many sources of (inexpensive) shielded cables, but the braiding pattern of the shield does not look much like scaled down 1:1 braided lines.

Very true. 

The cheapest cables will have the worst braided covering whereas the higher quality ones will have a finer, tighter, and higher percentage of coverage over the inner insulation core; you get what you pay for.

In any case, sometimes the eye just wants to see what it wants to see and something overscale is often more acceptably pleasing than nothing at all.

cheers, Graham

Edited December 29, 2023 by ColonelKrypton
tinger frouble

[Jiml0001]

"The cheapest cables will have the worst braided covering whereas the higher quality ones will have a finer, tighter, and higher percentage of coverage over the inner insulation core; you get what you pay for.  In any case, sometimes the eye just wants to see what it wants to see and something overscale is often more acceptably pleasing than nothing at all."

God knows that my old eyes are pretty weak and my modeling ability and pride are much lower than others.    In the picture above, one braid costs less than a penny per inch.   The other braid costs 31 cents per inch.   Should be a no-brainer to tell which is which.    Let me know your guess.

[peteski]

Well, when I build models I don't cheap out, but we are all individuals . . .

[Rick L]

If we all built models the same way, this forum need not exist.

[Jiml0001]

Just in case anyone is actually interested, the braid on the right costs less than a penny per inch.   The one on the left costs forty times more.   For me the one on the right is much better.  More strands, tighter weave, better all around.   Some say you get what you pay for.  Some say a fool and his money are soon parted.    
          I come here to post material tips and ideas to help modelers enjoy their hobby.   Maybe get some ideas.   I hate to see it become a referendum not about the model but about the person building it.    The feedback on my post informs me that i am not discerning and settle for poor quality because my “eye just sees what it wants to see” so I accept a poor effort because my poor effort is better than no effort.    Also I am not rich enough or serious enough to invest the money that others do so I just “cheap out” and am not “picky” enough.  It is sad when feedback stops being about the item and becomes all about the person and how they don’t stack up. 
 

anyway, I am not without some modeling talent.   This complete belly tanker was all of my design and construction.  Other than plug wires, there are NO aftermarket items anywhere on it.  

       

[Straightliner59]

I just got a couple of lengths of it, yesterday, based on your recommendation. Now, I just have to figure out how to get the outer insulation off. I actually really like the texture of it, too! What I can see of the shielding looks excellent--especially given its tiny size! I appreciate the heads-up. Like you, I'll use material from any source. Aluminum step flashing is a favorite! I've used sections of material cut from black plastic garbage bags. I recently used that material to make the sheathing for the canopy lines for parachutes. Whatever it takes to achieve the look I need! A long time ago, I decided that I wanted to be able to do as much of this stuff, as possible, in-shop. Through that, I discovered that fabrication gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction!

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, Jiml0001 said:

Just in case anyone is actually interested, the braid on the right costs less than a penny per inch.   The one on the left costs forty times more.   For me the one on the right is much better.  More strands, tighter weave, better all around.   Some say you get what you pay for.  Some say a fool and his money are soon parted.    
          I come here to post material tips and ideas to help modelers enjoy their hobby.   Maybe get some ideas.   I hate to see it become a referendum not about the model but about the person building it.    The feedback on my post informs me that i am not discerning and settle for poor quality because my “eye just sees what it wants to see” so I accept a poor effort because my poor effort is better than no effort.    Also I am not rich enough or serious enough to invest the money that others do so I just “cheap out” and am not “picky” enough.  It is sad when feedback stops being about the item and becomes all about the person and how they don’t stack up. 
 

anyway, I am not without some modeling talent.   This complete belly tanker was all of my design and construction.  Other than plug wires, there are NO aftermarket items anywhere on it.  

       

Your tank lakester looks fantastic! Beauty of a Flattie. Very nice work.

[ColonelKrypton]

7 hours ago, Jiml0001 said:

Just in case anyone is actually interested, the braid on the right costs less than a penny per inch.   The one on the left costs forty times more.   For me the one on the right is much better.  More strands, tighter weave, better all around.

I would agree, the one on the right in the picture does look better for use as a braided hose on a model.

However, the one on the left does look like it has higher percentage of coverage. Pictures can be deceiving. The braided covering is given as a percentage and will never be 100%. The manufacturer specs will generally specify. Cable meant for critical applications at very high frequencies will often have not only a high percentage braided covering but will also likely have a metallic foil covering usually under the braid as well. Not all cable is suitable for all applications and you do get what you pay for depending on your requirements but there will always be exceptions. What is suitable as a model detailing accessory is not necessarily suitable for use to wire up a module in a microwave communications system. 

7 hours ago, Jiml0001 said:

... i am not discerning and settle for poor quality because my “eye just sees what it wants to see” so I accept a poor effort because my poor effort is better than no effort.

Not at all. My comment about the eye just seeing what it wants to see is not about poor effort or accepting same; rather it is about the psychology of how we see and what we see when we view certain things. For example, as a mechanically inclined car nut we  know that an engine has ignition wires fuel lines, etc. When we view a model engine compartment we have a certain expectation to see some of these things.  If the ignition wires are larger than scale we accept that as we expected to see them and they were there whereas the lay person with little or no knowledge would likely not notice one way or the other.

Whether or not as a model builder you have added these extra details such as wiring or fuel lines or battery cables, or brake lines ( etc ) is always your own personal choice. You are the one who decides what you add or include, no one else. 

cheers, Graham

[Jiml0001]

Straightliner59 - what scale is that dragster?   What did you use for the tie wraps on the roll cage?

I understand that there are differences in cable Construction but I am looking for scale visual appeal.  To me the less expensive option has a more pronounced three dimensional visual appeal where the braids cross each other.  Also there are more braid “twists” per  inch.  No matter what advertisments say I am sure that after market braided hoses are taken from coaxial cable just like mine is.   The process of braiding wire requires that there is a core cable to wrap around.   
 

I am a bug for scale accuracy.  1.1 mm coax is easy to find and I believe that is what aftermarket braids are made of.  After removing the core and stretching the braid it will get pretty small but to me the weave becomes more flat and elongated.  I searched and found .81 mm coax. Rare but the braid is less distorted when stretched out.  Also it can get down to a half inch in scale size.  
I am also picky on wire sizes.  I don’t like plug wires that aren’t accurate.   I found sources for very small wire so on my engines my older system wires are a quarter of an inch in scale.  I also have 3/8 and 1/2 inch scale wire for HEI systems.  These actually “appear to the eye” as too small because we are used to out of scale wires on model engines.   Again, the scale wire was hard to find and I tried many times till I found what I wanted.  I chronicled all about wire sourcing in a past post.  Also I found sources for correct scale wire for a couple cents a foot instead of two dollars a foot for out of scale aftermarket wire.   I can get 60 feet of .25 mm wire for six dollars.   That scales out at a quarter inch in 1:1.  
 

looking for less expensive options doesn’t mean I sacrifice accuracy and in fact when it comes to hoses and wires I think my sources are more accurate and look better.   And if you want accuracy I can show you how to create real hoses in any size down to a quarter inch in 1:1 scale for pennies per foot.  Let me know if you are interested in that option.  
 

[ColonelKrypton]

8 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I've used sections of material cut from black plastic garbage bags. I recently used that material to make the sheathing for the canopy lines for parachutes.

Very cool. They do look very nice. I will have to keep a piece of black plastic garbage bag near the work bench for inspiration when it strikes.

cheers, Graham

 

[ColonelKrypton]

1 minute ago, ColonelKrypton said:

Very cool. They do look very nice. I will have to keep a piece of black plastic garbage bag near the work bench for inspiration when it strikes.

cheers, Graham

 

Thinking of it some more, armour modelers often use tissue paper coated with PVA glue or very thinning rolled epoxy putty or the "lead" seal from wine bottles for making tarps, canvases, webbing, covers, etc.  I will have to experiment with the black plastic garbage bag idea some.  Sometimes you can't see what is front you, it pays to play and expirement.

cheers, Graham

 

[ColonelKrypton]

27 minutes ago, Jiml0001 said:

looking for less expensive options doesn’t mean I sacrifice accuracy and in fact when it comes to hoses and wires I think my sources are more accurate and look better.   And if you want accuracy I can show you how to create real hoses in any size down to a quarter inch in 1:1 scale for pennies per foot.  Let me know if you are interested in that option.  

Agreed.

Yes please. I am always looking for better ways and ideas and willing to learn whatever I can.

cheers, Graham