Model Forum / General / Models / December 2006

Ship modellers use rigging thread run through a block of beeswax to
remove the hairyness of the thread.
You could try Micrmark.com.The have stuff for wooden ship modellers,like
timber ,tools etc.

Model Expo is the big mail order supplier of sailing ship modelers.
They have rigging thread, blocks, rigging tools, etc.

Restoration is generally much more difficult than building it originally.
If the masts are broken, probably the spars as well, the entire rigging
should be scrapped and redone.  Either a partial repair (if possible) or a
rerig is not a job for a beginner... especially if the model is scratch
built.  You should get some expert opinions on this from experienced
modelers.   You could post a series of pictures on the Yahoo ship modeler's
newsgroups.  Lots of detail.  The expert modelers there will be glad to give
you an opinion as to what is appropriate.  If it is a high-quality model,
the repair is best left to an expert restorer...who will do it for a fee.
Or an expert modeler who is willing to do it for a song.  On the other end
of the scale, if it is not a fine model and you are willing to tackle it
yourself, then they will give you soe guidance also.
     Note that from your very question, it is clear that you don't know
much, if anything, about rigging a model.  So without reading some books you
are likely to botch the job.   I'll tell you this much from one who has been
there...as difficult as an initial repair can be, it is far, far, worse to
do a repair on a model where a previous novice attempted it.

Boris