Does anyone have any tips on how to make the string that Tamiya provides for tow cable actually work ?

I've tried everything I can think of but get awful results

1: Take string to hardware store.
2: Locate correct diameter picture wire.
3: Buy wire.
4: Cut to length.
5: Trash supplied string.

Get jewelers wire from hobby lobby. It bends easily into whatever shape you need. It was recommended to me, and it's awesome. Looks just like tow cable.

I paint it first with acrylic paint , makes it stiffer and easier to use . Let dry . Cut to length with new sharp blade , dab very small amount of liquid glue on the plastic cable end , push string into gap . I use a small piece of wire , that keeps me from getting liquid glue all over my fingers and kit

I fill in the half circle part of the tow eyelet. Once dry, I sand it to match diameter of the the piece then drill an appropriate sized hole in it. Then glue string into it. I hear the end of the string with a flame to melt it together. Keeps it from fraying. After that, I carefully glue it to vehicle to make it look realistic.

I use future floor wax to soak the string. It stiffens it nicely but it is still flexible enough to work with. Then paint over that and rub a pencil or graphite stick over that to get get the metallic sheen. Then weather with the tank.

Throw it out and apply one of the above suggestions

Added this to my list. Good suggestion.

We dont have here Down Under Hobby Lobby but if you have near a Dollar and sense shop you can fin there on the Art and jewerly section that cable and work pretty well

Here is a picture of the jewelers wire vs the Tamiya string.



And after paint.


Hope this helps.

I do what Erik does except I put a dab of CA glue on the end and at the place I'd need to cut than let it dry, cut to length and glue it into the ends.

I have never found the Tamiya string to be overly difficult to work with and would prefer it any a day of week to the inflexible steel cables that dragon gives you. If anybody knows how to work with those let me know.

I use nylon kite string and it works very well for me. It's easy to drape, doesn't have any fuzz to it, and glues well with super glue. One spool from a cheap kite will last a lifetime.



Cheers,

Chris

I use that kite string a lot....as you say there is enough to last a virtual lifetime of building kits. Another tip is to coat it with diluted 50/50 white glue and water. I hang it up in lengths until it drys...it is stiffer and flexible.

George.

Thanks for all the tips guys, I've ended up using some 0.25mm copper wire, twining 2 lengths together.

Seems to have worked pretty well.

Thanks again !

HAH! Be that way! Everyone gives you a lot of great ideas and you go and figure it out on your own...with another great idea!!! LOL

Seriously, lots of great ideas here. Thanks guys! Have filed them all away in my great pumpkin head. Hopefully I'll be able to find them again when needed...

LCB

I prefer wire too but when you have to use some string, might I suggest painting it as required and then use a piece of wax and rub it on until it has a thin coat. This stiffens it a bit without giving up the sag. Ive done this for years on tall ships using ski wax.

Terry

If you're not opposed to AM, Eureka XXL Towing Cables are really nice. They are very easy to shape into position and have a very realistic look on the finished model. Also, the cables can be purchased alone w/o the resin eyelets.

Here's a link on eBay

—mike

from the original question about Tamiya string...but do jewelers' wire, kite string, or two lengths of copper wire depict enough strands for a WWII or modern tow cable?
Lately I've been using bicycle brake cable for my 1/35th kits. It seems to look the part with plenty of strands and a natural steel color, albeit it can be difficult to bend without 'bird-caging'. However, I have not tried annealing it yet.





It looks a little large and out-of-scale on this kit, but it fits inside the cable brackets and is comparable to the kit version:


Keith