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Ratline thread recommendations 1/75 scale


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Morning All,

I know this type of thread comes up regularly, but I'm not getting an answer. I am tying ratlines on my Terror, tried household cotton (pinched from sewing basket) passed on beeswax, right diameter for working but it was too hairy. Have Caldercraft 0.25mm thread, but it's too thick and clove hitches are untying before I can set with PVA. Looked for 0.15 mm diameter black but not finding anything. Any advice welcome re-specific thread and source for ratlines please, UK preferred because of shipping,

Regards John

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 John, most have gone to polyester thread because of longevity and much much less fuzz. One source of Gutermann threads in the UK.

 

https://www.myfabrics.co.uk/guetermann-thread?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpLKWABIbKJHXc4mAxNNMV2DY97G&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIivahq4TFiQMV-Eh_AB0q7AQIEAAYAiAAEgIEWvD_BwE

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

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                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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I used 0.2mm rope from ropes of scale. Ben was able to custom make some for me and it turned out great. This was the correct scale for my 1:64 scale cutter. It is more expensive than just buying thread, but you get much nicer definition.

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  Keith is right, as I've used both Gutermann versus Mettler poly on the Siren 'Rope Rocket', and found Gutermann has minimal 'fuzz'.  Making rope is cheaper, and you can customize it as needed by changing the number of threads in the 'set-up' ... but it is a process you have to learn to 'get right', takes time to do, and the length is limited by the room available.  So I can understand buying rope from the available sources.  Builders put so much time and effort into their models, so its a wonder that some will use 'fuzzy' rigging thread that does not have the nice definition that spun scale rope has.  Photo close-ups DO accentuate the fuzz, which is less noticeable at a distance.

 

  BUT, a model made by my dad 70 years ago had rigging made of cotton thread that just disintegrated all by itself.  Parts held by thread either fell apart, and rigging crumbled by the slightest touch.  This was told to me after the fact by the brother who had the clipper model, and since he thought it a total loss - the model was trashed.  Had I known this before he made that decision, I could have offered to replace all the rigging with poly scale rope - a bit of trouble, but worth it for an heirloom.

Completed builds:  Khufu Solar Barge - 1:72 Woody Joe

Current project(s): Gorch Fock restoration 1:100, Billing Wasa (bust) - 1:100 Billings, Great Harry (bust) 1:88 ex. Sergal 1:65

 

 

 

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