What wire for detailing?

[Guest]

Hi everyone,

I am looking at adding some extra detail in the cockpit and engine bays, and was trying to find out which types of wire, or other material is best for this.

I've seen thin piano wire, but wanted to know if this is easy to shape?

I'm looking for something that is easy to shape, and wont spring back once bent, so any suggestions will be most helpful!

Thanks!

[Gern]

There's lots of folks who use lead wire. It's flexible and non springy and can be painted but not very strong.

This company makes a wide range of sizes:

http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/plusmodel-wire-lead-10787-p.asp

[spanner570]

Liam, the copper wire from the innards of electric cable is superb. Any size you want.

Free too! Me happy...:smiling3:

[PaulTRose]

visit somewhere like hobbycraft or the range......look at wire for making jewellery with......comes in all sorts of gauges and colours

[rickoshea52]

visit somewhere like hobbycraft or the range......look at wire for making jewellery with......comes in all sorts of gauges and colours

And flower arranging.

[Mr Bowcat]

I've also heard of people using fuse wire, which comes in various guages.

[Thorbrand]

You could probably use solder, that can come in a variety of sizes but very delicate. Otherwise see if you have some old cables lying around and strip the copper out. Some of the multicore cables have very thin wire in as i discovered once when i broke a pair of headphones

[spanner570]

........see if you have some old cables lying around and strip the copper out. Some of the multicore cables have very thin wire in as i discovered once when i broke a pair of headphones

That's a good idea, Alex.......:tongue-out3::thumb2:!

[Steve O]

Fuse wire for me, comes in many sizes, stays where it is when bent and good to paint.

[Guest]

Cheers for the help!
Managed to find some old wires so think I’ll be using them!
I’ll make sure I post some pictures of my build!

[BarryW]

I would second using lead wire due to how easy it is to shape. It has no tensile strength so some of the other suggestion would be best in area that are vulnerable or where some strength is needed.

[yak face]

Fuse wire , copper wire stripped from old cables , guitar strings , solder , i ve used all these and each has its own merits, fuse wire has the advantage of being dirt cheap and usually comes with a selection of thicknesses ( amperage) on the card

[Guest]

Also, wire for fly-tying. Can be sourced from most fishing tackle shops

[Guest]

Hello Twinny 123,
I will just throw this one in the chat, old telephone cable wire is very good its sometimes multi core and is thin strong and stays in place when bent solder is also one of the best as has already been said in the thread by many other the people in the forum,
as a scratch builder I use what ever I think does the job fro what ever source.

regards Barrie ( the old guy )

[Ian M]

Another electrical wire user here. Can be used for anything.
telephone cable normally has several cores. can be a pita to strip. Easier to run a knife flat along it and them strip.
Multistrand wire comes in many different thicknesses of strands, as does single core wire. (I have from 0,3 right up to 10mm!)
It is also very good at building wire ropes with....