"Wire For Ships Masts " Topic

Looking at the Tim Gow's latest blog entries has me wondering what would be the most suitable wire to use as masts on the 1/1200 scale ships by M.Y. Miniatures?

I would also appreciate any advice on mini hand drills and bits for boring holes in these ships to put the (wire) masts in?

I use brass rod for my 1/1200 16th C, and my 1/1000 pre-dread's masts. I chop out crow's nests and drill them out before discarding the old masts. For spars, I use steel rod, as really thin brass bends too easily, and I have lots laying around, so just save the brass for 15mm pikes, as it's easier to shape points on.

I put a shallow notch in the center of the spars and on the mast at the appropriate height. Not only for better surface adhesion, but to make lining them up easier. gluing them straight on two axes is trouble enough without worrying is the spars are too long on one side. I apply a very small spot of Zap to hold it (and fiddle with it until I get it straight), then a larger bead for the long term. For the mast, depending on how deep the hull is, I usually just bore right on through for maximum stability (I use an old phone book or catalog underneath so I don't ruin the table).

I have only ever used a multi-speed Dremel to bore out holes. It's much quicker and easier than a hand drill, and is one of the best modelling investments I ever made.

And I use the flat of a cutting wheel (or at least de-crimp or de-point) the ends of the mast & spars.

Music wire sold in most hobby stores as it is cheap and comes in many thicknesses. You will need to buy a special hard wire cutter for about $15 USD as it will wreck soft wire cutters.

I solder my masts. Make a jig using a wooded or charcoal board. Drill holes into the board the size of the yards at the distance you want to space them on the mast. Cut the yards and stick them in the hols and lay the mast flat on the board so it lines up perpedicular to the yards. Fix the mast with tape or clamps so it wont move. Flux the areas were the wires intersect and solder.

I have an electric spot welder that makes solderig music wire simple.