Rigging

[cthulhu77]

With the emails received, it seems some of you are interested in rigging. Yeeha!  Here is how I do it:
   -First off, you are going to want to pick up some hemostats from your local hardware store (2 bucks each at Ace hardware). I use three, you will need two at least.  The advantage of using stats instead of tweezers is that they can be locked to hold the running line to provide tension when necessary.
 - Two different diameters of black thread for the standing rigging...one fine, and one coarse.  The standing rigging rope was coated in tar, hence the black colour.
 - Three or more diameters of tan thread (make them different colours of tan too, for some punch) for the running rigging.
  -CA glue to seal each knot.
 -a chunk of beeswax to run the thread through prior to rigging (keeps the fuzzies down).  I am trying an experimental rigging job right now using Future instead, but lets wait and see how that turns out...
  -a good basic knowledge of knots.  check out this site if you are unsure:
       
http://www.realknots.com/knots/

  -patience.  Don't try to rig for more than a few minutes at a time.  Get a good dvd or find something else to do while your rigging lines set up.  Trying to rig fast leads to disaster!!!!

  -one pair of sharp as hell scissors. Don't skimp on these...pointy types are preferred, so you can get into tight corners to snip off a line or two.

[Allan]

Just on the subject of airplanes and aerial wires for a moment, I still have an envelope full of long hair from a Chinese girl I picked up many years ago at the Melbourne Air Show.

After she left I went over the sheets collecting the stuff and it's quite useful, strong and easy to glue with no kinks. Natch, I always use it when I make a Chinese plane.

Allan in Canbera

[Brian da Basher]

<snip>Just on the subject of airplanes and aerial wires for a moment, I still have an envelope full of long hair from a Chinese girl I picked up many years ago at the Melbourne Air Show.<snip>

I tried using the hair from some nameless call-girl for rigging but it didn't work. Brittle as all get-out. Must've been the result of her little meth problem.

Brian da Basher

[cthulhu77]

okaaaay.....

   Anyway, back to the rigging.  It is vital to understand how the ship's sails work...this site is excellent:

http://sailing-ships.oktett.net/square-rigging.html

[Radish]

Any frigging in the rigging??  

[John Howling Mouse]

Thanks, Cthulhu-----I'm taking notes as fast as I can (read: copying and pasting into a word file for future reference)!

 

[cthulhu77]

I am busy typing away and pasting pics together for a large, large file about simple rigging (the kind I do)...hope it helps!

[Captain Canada]

Any frigging in the rigging??

Of course !

There was feck all else to do.....

[kurly]

would dental floss work for rigging or aerial wires?

[cthulhu77]

Not really.  Dental floss is not circular, and has incredible tensile strength, but once cut, frays easily.
  Polyester or cotton thread is the easiest for ships...I use stretched sprue or wire for rigging biplanes,etc.  Some people really like drilling and pressure rigging their planes, but I've never been too happy with the way it looks.
 
   For those of you who don't build sailing ships due to the rigging, pick up a small kit like the Lindberg J.Roger (ten bucks or so), and start experimenting...once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake.

[Leigh]

What about monofilament fishing line or even those super lines like spiderwire?
I'm guessing more useful for plane rigging?

[cthulhu77]

The big problem with rigging using monofilament lines is that they are too strong.  The model spars and masts can only take a little bit of tension without warping badly.  I like using cotton rather than polyester thread, because it has more "give", but you also have to put up with the little fuzzies more often too...hence my experiment with using future.
  Should have the first installment of "how to rigging" up tomorrow, as long as today goes well...

                greg

[Joe C-P]

The problem with hair is that it tends to expand when its humid and contract when its dry. You could end up either with sagging lines or, if you glue well, snapped parts.

I personally use the finest fishing line I could buy for rigging my modern ships.

I've also heard that nylon hair for wigs is very elastic without being too tense.

Cat whiskers do make good antennae for armored vehicles and cars; they have a good taper, and with four cats there's a plentiful supply lying about.  ^_^  

[cthulhu77]

More info for you who are into rigging ships:

   http://www.angelfire.com/ar/rogerart/seven.html

   and, to make your head spin further:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sail-plan