What is the best material for antenna wire?

[DAI PHAN]

Hello all,

Beside stretched sprue that I find very hard to work with, what is the best material to make antenna wire? Someone mentioned elastic strings and what is the name brand? I am heading to an art and craft store to buy it at lunch time. Thanks Dai

 

[herman1rg]

I would say fishing line

 

[Wurger]

You may try to find the EZ Line products. Pesonally I use threads ripped out of tights.

 

[Crimea_River]

Invisible mending thread. It's nylon and very thin - thinner than fishing line. You need to take scale into account as even this stuff gets on the thick side for 1/72 in my opinion. Ask for it at sewing supply stores.

Here's 1/48:

 

[pbehn]

How about human hair, I have a hoover full from my daughters locks.

 

[windswords]

My wife's hair! Brunettes rule!

 

[swampyankee]

How about human hair, I have a hoover full from my daughters locks.

Your daughters shed?

Mine just use their hair to clog my drains.

 

[mikewint]

I'm a BIG fan of EZ - LINE. It comes in 3-4 colors now and in two different thicknesses for essentially 1/48 and 1/32 scales. It's elastic thus will not sag or absorb moisture nor will it get "fuzzy". It fixes in place with CA or any other glue. You can find it easily on AMAZON or EBAY in 100ft (30.5m) spools that last forever. My spool is 6ys old

 

[Wolfman_63]

I also recommend EZ Line. The stuff works great and if you have to move or transport the model, It is elastic enough where it will not break the antenna's it is attached to. You can see how well it works here: EZ-Line for rigging.

 

[dogsbody]

Is EZ-line appropriate for 1/72 scale?


Chris

 

[Wolfman_63]

Is EZ-line appropriate for 1/72 scale?


Chris

Yes, The EZ Line thin will work fine at 1/72 scale. The EZ Line thin is .003 diameter. The EZ Line heavy is .006 diameter

 

[mikewint]

I would guess it depends on how accurate you want to be. It comes in two sizes, Heavy which is 0.006 and Fine which is 0.003 inches in diameter. They say that the Heavy is for 1/32 scale and larger and F is 1/48 and smaller. I'm not sure of the diameter of real antenna wire but I have both sizes and found that the 0.003 was VERY difficult to work with and very delicate. So personally I simply use the Heavy on my 1/48 scales. (Please don't tell the Model Police)

 

[N4521U]

I was just using the hot glue gun, dawned on me stretching is pretty easy. Don't know why it can't be used for antennae wires?????

 

[Crimea_River]

Give it a try and let us know!

 

[N4521U]

Give it a try and let us know!

Me??????

 

[Crimea_River]

Twas your idea weren't it?

 

[N4521U]

yes but!

 

[Crimea_River]

 

[Airframes]

You're stuck with it Bill ................ I'll gt me coat !

 

[parsifal]

Invisible line for me. Is also the best stuff ive found down to 1/32 scale biplanes when doing the rigging