Tool for monofilament rigging

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Don Stauffer in Minnesota - 04 May 2008 17:24 GMT

Some of us use nylon monofilament thread for rigging. One of the neat
features is that you can apply heat to it after it is fastened in
place, and it will shrink and become more taut.

The problem has been how to heat it. Some folks use a blown-out match,
some a heated knife blade. I used a soldering iron. But distance was
critical. Too close and you melt or break the thread, too far and
nothing happens.

The latest Fine Scale Modeler has a tip about using an "embossing gun"
to heat styrene before bending. This sounded like it might be useful
for heating rigging thread. I went to my local Michael's craft store
and found one. It sells for twenty five bucks, but I had one of their
frequent discount coupons so it cost me about half that.

It works well. It is smaller than a blow dryer, and the air velocity
is considerably less. Still pretty hot air, but I have not broken any
rigging threads yet. Don't know why they call it a "gun" because it
is not gun-shaped- it is a straight tube.

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willshak - 04 May 2008 18:32 GMT

on 5/4/2008 12:24 PM Don Stauffer in Minnesota said the following:

> Some of us use nylon monofilament thread for rigging. One of the neat
> features is that you can apply heat to it after it is fastened in
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>

I have one of those torchier lamps. The one with the 5" long halogen
bulb, that they warn you not to put near drapes or other flammable
objects. I turn it on and hold the model about 6" above the bulb... with
work gloves on!
The filament tightens right up.

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Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
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Carl Dershem - 04 May 2008 19:07 GMT

Don Stauffer in Minnesota <stauffer@usfamily.net> wrote in news:b243f980-
e4ed-402a-9678-553961f7fc4f@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com:

> It works well. It is smaller than a blow dryer, and the air velocity
> is considerably less. Still pretty hot air, but I have not broken any
> rigging threads yet. Don't know why they call it a "gun" because it
> is not gun-shaped- it is a straight tube.

Either is a howitzer, but it's still a gun, because it projects its
contents at its target.

cd

Signature

The difference between immorality and immortality is "T". I like Earl
Grey.

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someone@some.domain - 04 May 2008 19:51 GMT

>Some of us use nylon monofilament thread for rigging. One of the neat
>features is that you can apply heat to it after it is fastened in
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>rigging threads yet. Don't know why they call it a "gun" because it
>is not gun-shaped- it is a straight tube.

a cigarette works best. but do it outdoors and don't smoke!

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Stephen Tontoni - 18 May 2008 09:28 GMT

In article
<b243f980-e4ed-402a-9678-553961f7fc4f@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>,

> Some of us use nylon monofilament thread for rigging. One of the neat
> features is that you can apply heat to it after it is fastened in
> place, and it will shrink and become more taut.

Better idea; use Tippet line (a fly fishing leader material) as it's
stretchy. That way you don't need to heat it at all. In fact, I don't
even measure mine... I just cut it roughly to length, then stretch it to
fit. Works like a charm.

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Model Forum / General / Models / May 2008

Tool for monofilament rigging