Rigging cord

[Robin BodgerParticipant @robinbodger80379]

Hi, looking for advice on a cord that will look like rope but will also be functional, about 1.5mm dia, requirements are little or no stretch, not shedding fluff, it won”t have to take too much strain, its the wear and tear I”m concerned about. Thanks.

[Robin BodgerParticipant @robinbodger80379]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Best to get the proper stuff – Cornwall Model Boats do a big selection, search on rigging or cord.

**LINK**l

Other suppliers will also have a good selection such as the Model Dockyard.

**LINK**

Colin

[Robin BodgerParticipant @robinbodger80379]

Indeed, it is really the type of rigging cord I’m unsure of, hemp, nylon etc, the most ropy looking cord appears to be for static models.

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

I would say that a lot depends on what you need the rope to do on what kind of model, which is not very clear from your question.

However, without knowing the specifics, of all the types of ropes I have come across that are currently commercially available, I have two absolute favourites.

The first is the traditional, laid natural fibre (linen/cotton mix) miniature rope (hand)made and sold by the Syren Ship Model Company in the US (**LINK**). This product is superior by many a country mile to the stuff sold by Amati and the likes, and (given the outstanding quality) surprisingly affordable. Their .062" (1.57 mm) tan rope for example sells for $5.75 per ten feet, the p&p charge is reasonable and delivery is quick enough. The only slight drawback that I've found is that it is laid with four strands rather than three, which complicates splicing. Otherwise it is wonderful stuff! Although primarily intended for static scale models, it will do work as well, has very little stretch as far as I've been able to notice, and is not in the least fluffy or hairy.

If a slicker rope with a higher breaking strain is needed, I really like dyneema rope! Nylet (**LINK**) sells a lovely 1 mm diameter white dyneema rope (their article #N633) that, although obviously synthetic (it is white, for a start) is nicely round, as a rope should be (unless e.g. most dacron lines I've seen, which have an oval cross section), and although woven rather than laid still looks quite ropey, if you see what I mean … ?! This is very strong stuff, too, with a +/- 70 kg breaking point.

You can see both of these ropes in use in the rigging of my ongoing Moonbeam build here on the forum, from about p. 32 of the thread: **LINK**. There's also a third rope there, which I think would answer your needs quite nicely — a tan synthetic line that I've used for the shrouds and stays. However, I'm afraid I've no idea what kind of line that is, as it came with the kit without any further explanation of material or where more of it might be sourced from.

Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 22/09/2017 13:02:55

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Robin

It looks like your doing a closed loop steering system on your MTB ? which is an interesting approach, I'm going to do a similar system on my Cullamix Tug, I will be using Stainless Steel plastic coated fishing trace wire with operational rollers at the change's of direction as its very flexible and waterproof, I think using any kind of thread, friction will be an issue to overcome.

Regards Ray

[Robin BodgerParticipant @robinbodger80379]

I did start off with fishing trace but it takes allot of tention to get it to sit round the guides, all the guides work with butchers string but the trace just tried to saw through them, steal v brass!!! And although its not an exact model I wanted it to look a little like the actual boat, ie rope, the servo linkage is proving ‘ iinteresting’ my plan is to secure the rope at the tiller and at the servo slider with sumut like fishing shot, line everything up and crimp them in place.

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