Hi folks

Just a question:
What material do you use to make antennas for your vehicle?
In former times I made them of heated sprues but these self-made antennas are often too fragile. I thought about some type of wire, but I'm not quite sure which type to use.
I should not be too flexible...

Any comments are welcome

I use electric guitar strings size 09 or 10.

Hi. One of the hobby shops in my area stocks different sizes of small wire that must be used for RC planes or cars or something like that. These come in a plastic tube about 36" long and have at least 6 or more pieces in it and goes for under $2 a tube. They come in all sizes, but the one I use is .015". Can use this or maybe .020" as well. This stuff is very tough and has to be cut with a pair or wire clippers. For me they work real well.

Take care, sgirty.

The sama as Chipotle and Sgirty here...
Ciao

I will be honest. I have only tried the stretched sprue route. I guess I am careful with mine so that is why they don't break off.
~Chip

I use 0.3 mm copper wire.

I use Plastruct round rod #90853, .03" thick. This works real well. I tried the stretched sprue route, but found that it tends to curve in every direction except the one you need it to curve. I use real springs for the bottom, that way it looks very realistic.


Dave

Personally, I use the stretched sprue method; It's always in abundance, easy to make, and if I break one it only takes a tea candle and a few seconds to fashion a new one... I also use the single strands from speaker wire to simulate the springs on the antenna base in fairly accurate scale; I normally heat a "tension bend" into the sprue (like it would look being tied down) before cutting it. My only problem is finding a suitable material to scale for the tie down ropes; I've used sewing thread run thru the edge of a candle in the past, but always seem to get those dang errant thread hairs sticking out every which way... (++)

thx guys. i will use the steel wire variant.
just purchased 2metres of that stuff for 0,20€. value for money

i also believe that if you are carefull enough with heated sprue, and its a good quality of plastic you can make good stuff for antennas and not only , good painting is also needed to make a good look of metal afterwards.of course with true metal like guitar strings the problemas are less.

Guitar strings or accupuncture needles. Sometimes I find whiskers that the cat has left behind which also work well.

Try florist wire. It comes in a couple diameters. It's green and coated so, it excepts paint nicely.

Kevin

I find stretched sprue to serve my purpose nicely...and best of all, it's free

Matt

i use guitar strings that my brother has snapped, ernie ball super slinkies are the best!
being a bass player mine would only work on about 1/10th and larger!
cheers
joe

Gunnerk19, try really thinnly stretched sprue for the hold downs. I have and it works really well.

Shaun

I always use brass wire from the train store. The stuff will never break, and its cheap :-)