Jump to content

Very thin rigging threads


Recommended Posts

I am building Corel's Amphion and discovered a substantial problem.

There are a lot of 3 mm blocks in the rigging. The holes in these block are very small. It is impossible to use the rigging thread included in the kit. I bought 0.15 mm thread, but still to big compared with the holes. I even tried sewing thread (probably cotton) and the diameter seems to be even smaller than 0.15 mm, but still impossible. Women usually have more skill in puting thread in a needle eye, so I asked my wife to try. No success. She even thought the idea of putting sewing thread through these tiny holes was ridiculous and impossible.

 

So what shall I do?

Some sort of plastic material would probably be the best, but where can I find the small sizes?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Small blocks are a pain. I hold them with needle nose pliers, turn on my lighted magnifier and drill the little buggers out. Probably ruin 1 in 10. Then stiffen with CA and viola done. I have had very little luck using a needle threader on such small blocks. If you can’t get a single line through how can you get a doubled line and doubled metal of the threader through? I have ruined many a threader this way as they will pull apart. Also upgrade to a quality block. The holes are much more uniform and makes drilling and rigging much easier.

Regards,

Jim Rogers

 

Damn the Torpedoes , Full speed ahead.   Adm David Farragut.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Several solutions: Use CA to stiffen the end of the thread and cut in an angle to make some sort of a needle.

Use floss threaders (my choice of tool) or needle threaders to pass the thread through the holes.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Eez-Thru-Floss-Threaders-Each-Pack/dp/B004LTYQXS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1521642332&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=floss+threaders&psc=1

 

Enlarge the holes. I always do this. Enlarging the holes also cleans them.This makes threades easier to go through.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Edited by Ulises Victoria

There aren't but two options: do it FAST, or do it RIGHT.

 

Current Project Build Log: Soleil Royal in 1/72. Kit by Artesania Latina.

Last finished projectsRoyal Ship Vasa 1628; French Vessel Royal Louis 1780. 1/90 Scale by Mamoli. 120 Cannons

 

Future projects already in my stash: Panart: San Felipe 1/75; OcCre: Santísima Trinidad 1/90;

Wish List: 1/64 Amati Victory, HMS Enterprise in 1/48 by CAF models.

 

So much to build, so little time!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been using thin (very thin) CA to stiffen the block before drilling.  Seems to work for me.

Mark
"The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me

Current Build:                                                                                             
Past Builds:
 La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD           Triton Cross-Section   

 NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit                                                                            HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64               

 

Non-Ship Model:                                                                                         On hold, maybe forever:           

CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed                                                   Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)         

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These needle threaders seem to be an obvious solution - but I realised early on in my carreer that they cannot really work on scale(!) blocks, because in addition to the double thickness of thread you have the double thickness of the wires - in reality, however, the clearance in the shell of the block is not more than about a quarter more than the diameter of the rope for which it is made.

 

Enlarging holes in model-blocks to suit, blows the idea of scale out of the window.

 

The only solution is to stiffen the end of threads. My personal choice for this is fast-drying lacquer, such as solvent-based nail-varnish - I keep the use of CA to the absolute minimum, I almost hate it. With the lacquer you can also twist the end between your fingers to tighten it up - not recommendable with CA ;)

wefalck

 

panta rhei - Everything is in flux

 

 

M-et-M-72.jpg  Banner-AKHS-72.jpg  Banner-AAMM-72.jpg  ImagoOrbis-72.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

With CA you can use a razor to cut the end at an angle, creating a point.

 

Luck is just another word for good preparation.

—MICHAEL ROSE

Current builds:    Rattlesnake (Scratch From MS Plans 

On Hold:  HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett )

In the Gallery: Yacht Mary,  Gretel, French Cannon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I  use the smallest drill bit I had that was a wee bit bigger than the holes, and slowly ream out the hole would rarely split a block unless I tried to hurry other than that always used the CA on the end. Had no patience with or for threaders.

John Allen

 

Current builds HMS Victory-Mamoli

On deck

USS Tecumseh, CSS Hunley scratch build, Double hull Polynesian canoe (Holakea) scratch build

 

Finished

Waka Taua Maori War Canoe, Armed Launch-Panart, Diligence English Revenue Cutter-Marine  Model Co. 


 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...