Threads for rigging.

[Bill Hudson]

My very old model kit for the Marie Celeste came with two different threads for rigging. The black thread is much smaller in diameter than the light colored thread. It seems to me that the heavier should be used for shrouds but it should be back. There is nothing in the instructions detailing this. 

[Gregory]

44 minutes ago, Bill Hudson said:

It seems to me that the heavier should be used for shrouds but it should be black.

 You should try to source some other model rope for your boat.  Three or four different sizes each of light ( tan ) and dark brown, based on the scale of your kit.

 

Dark for standing rigging, light for running.

 

There are tables and references regarding the size of various ropes and lines, but with a model it can be sufficient to go with what looks good.

Heavier ropes for the lower masts and yards, and getting lighter as you go up.

 

Syren  or  Ropes of Scale are great sources.  

 

Or you could think about making your own..

 

 

[Jaager]

1 hour ago, Bill Hudson said:

Marie Celeste

This vessel was 1872.   Drake's first well was ~1860.  So it is entirely possible that petrol based tar was in use, so actual black for standing rigging may be appropriate.  The running rigging -a dark straw - likely hemp.  This was a privately owned two master, so I doubt that steel was even considered.

But as Gregory says:  you can do much better for the line that you rig with.

[allanyed]

I second and third the above.  What you show in the photos is indeed thread and ships did not use thread nor should a model ship.  Miniature rope can be made by you or purchased from several sources and looks sooooo much better than thread.   

Allan

[Bill Hudson]

Thank you all for your suggestions. The scale this model is 1:90.  I have e-mailed Syren to see if I can fined rope of that scale.