Sewing string that looks like metal wire/cable

[Venom]

Just thought I’d show this in case anyone’s interested. It’s just regular sewing string that has a very metallic silver color. Found it at Walmart. Cheers?

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Josh!

Thanks, I'll check it out tomorrow. I could use this wire for many applications!

CT

[Deuces ll]

Perfect for those mid year 427 Vette engines..... ??

[Olderisbetter]

I've been looking for that. However, I'm 8000 miles from the closest WalMart.

 

[TarheelRick]

59 minutes ago, Olderisbetter said:

I've been looking for that. However, I'm 8000 miles from the closest WalMart.

 

I am truly surprised.  I saw one in Pusan, South Korea back in 2005.  Not being facetious, sort of figured they were everywhere.

[Venom]

16 hours ago, Olderisbetter said:

I've been looking for that. However, I'm 8000 miles from the closest WalMart.

 

Online bro...online!

[Venom]

16 hours ago, Olderisbetter said:

I've been looking for that. However, I'm 8000 miles from the closest WalMart.

 

EBay...!

[Big John]

Thanks guys, great cable look.  I have also found that guitar strings, the wrapped metal ones make great throttle cable lines like the cable release lines for emergency breaks and trunk/hood, and parachute releases.

[Venom]

1 hour ago, Big John said:

Thanks guys, great cable look.  I have also found that guitar strings, the wrapped metal ones make great throttle cable lines like the cable release lines for emergency breaks and trunk/hood, and parachute releases.

Awesome! Glad to hear of people liking it.

Yes, the guitar string is something I’ve heard others mention here, though I’ve never tried it myself yet.

[Big John]

I am looking forward to trying the thread for my Bugatti tp35 brake cables it looks about right.  Here is one use by 89AKurt on his Auto Union build.  The neat thing about the guitar strings is that they come in many different sizes.

 

Edited January 21, 2021 by Big John

[Big John]

[peteski]

50 minutes ago, Big John said:

I am looking forward to trying the thread for my Bugatti tp35 brake cables it looks about right.  Here is one use by 89AKurt on his Auto Union build.  The neat thing about the guitar strings is that they come in many different sizes.

 

Guitar string is good for representing stiff pipes or lines, but it is too stiff to represent cable.  Cables need to show sag or have to be wound around pulleys or spooled.  The appearance of a string is also wrong for stranded cables.

[Casey]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

Guitar string is good for representing stiff pipes or lines, but it is too stiff to represent cable.  Cables need to show sag or have to be wound around pulleys or spooled.  The appearance of a string is also wrong for stranded cables.

I think guitar string would work well for replicating steel brake line armor, like so:

 

Less ideal for replicating the sheathing for parking brake cables, which has a flatter profile:

 

The key is finding the correct O.D. for the scale you are working in. Much like spark plug wires and, well, any other tubing, line, or cable, getting the size correct and in scale makes a big difference. Using the 3rd string as an example, /025" x 25 = .625", or 5/8" outside diameter...probably too thick for 1/25 scale, but closer to correct at .400" in 1/16 scale.

Here are some Martin & Co. guitar strings I happened upon at my local Habitat for Humanity store, with the outside diameter for each listed on the package. the 1st and 2nd strings are smooth stainless wires, so not really braided nor spiral wrapped wires like the 3rd through 6th strings are:

 

 

 

Below, the 3rd string, radially wound with brass wire:

 

Below, the 2nd wire, which is unwound, bare wire:

[SCRWDRVR]

On 12/28/2020 at 12:12 AM, Venom said:

EBay...!

I ordered a spool of this and it's great, I've yet to use it but is perfect for those hood pin cables and I'll et other stuff too.... Thanks for sharing...

[Venom]

Awesome! Glad you’re happy?

[Venom]

7 hours ago, Big John said:

I am looking forward to trying the thread for my Bugatti tp35 brake cables it looks about right.  Here is one use by 89AKurt on his Auto Union build.  The neat thing about the guitar strings is that they come in many different sizes.

 

 

Yeah the guitar string deffinately has a great look for certain things... I saw the under glass pics of that car and it is really well done!

[Big John]

And if your drain lines in the diorama get plugged you can use it as a snake!  I haven't tried yet but has anyone tried annealing some with a torch to make them more user friendly?

[Big John]

Quick update... I did an annealing test on a section of guitar string and found it quite flexible afterward.  Heat the metal to a light orange color and cool it slowly and it will have the flexibility of copper wire.  If you don't cool it slowly it gets very brittle.  Spring steel does that if it cools rapidly.  These are pretty tight bends so the coils open up if you're not careful.

Edited February 20, 2021 by Big John
added photo