| maverick2909 | 15 May 2016 8:52 p.m. PST |
Hello everyone! So I painted up some SU-76's in 15mm for Flames of War. For the command tanks I decided to distinguish them with antennas. I used some piano wire that is very sturdy and doesn't bend easily. However after a few games with the SU-76's I quickly realized that the wire wasn't going to work. I had poked myself several times, and since the nature of the wire is sturdy several of them broke off of the models. I am now looking for an alternative, but I am not sure what to go with. I would prefer something flexible, maybe even a material that bends easily and stays bent, somewhat flimsy if you will. Or possibly a bendable material that snaps back to straight but won't break off the model? What have you all been using? Any good suggestions? Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to post a picture of my SU horde when I finish the project! Stanton |
| 53Punisher | 15 May 2016 10:19 p.m. PST |
I've used paint brush bristles for years and never had a problem. They stand straight (or can be bent), are flexible, and you never have to worry about spilling your own blood all over your battlefield. I buy the synthetic ones with longer bristles. One brush will make dozens of antennas. |
Bunkermeister  | 15 May 2016 10:51 p.m. PST |
Paint brush bristles are the thing. I like to buy a large parts cleaning brush, with black nylon bristles. One like this one will last you for the rest of your life. link Use a pin vise to drill a tiny hole in the top of your model and then super glue in the bristle. Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog |
| freerangeegg | 16 May 2016 1:57 a.m. PST |
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| cosmicbank | 16 May 2016 3:03 a.m. PST |
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| John Treadaway | 16 May 2016 3:27 a.m. PST |
Again, bristles for me – cheap floor broom yields (effectively) an infinite supply. John T |
| maverick2909 | 16 May 2016 4:30 a.m. PST |
Got a 13 year old cat at home, he should do the trick nicely. I don't think he will mind. :D Thanks for the advice, thick paint brush bristles are genius! |
| zacklaws | 16 May 2016 5:14 a.m. PST |
As mentioned above, fishing line, very flexible. Cut the fishing line to require length, mix some araldite and just pick a small blob out on the fishing line and stick it on the model were you want it, when it dries, the araldite will have took on the shape of the mount that the antenna is mounted in. |
| maverick2909 | 16 May 2016 9:25 a.m. PST |
Will the fishing line not have a curl to it? I'd imagine since it comes in a spool that it would have a distinct curl? Thanks! |
| zacklaws | 16 May 2016 1:56 p.m. PST |
It can be straightened by warming it up, I prefer mine with a slight bend in as it does not look so animinated and wooden and it also looks more like the antenna's that are tied down to avoid catching on trees etc |
| maverick2909 | 17 May 2016 11:09 a.m. PST |
Cat wouldn't hold still, ended up giving the fishing line a go. Used 25lb line so it was relatively thick like I wanted. Headed over the stove for a second while I straightened them out. cut em down to size, glued them on, and painted them black. Turned out just like I wanted with no blood loss on my part! Thanks guys! |
| zacklaws | 18 May 2016 2:24 p.m. PST |
Just remembered another method I used to use years ago which is better for plastic kits as you can use polystyrene cement to fasten them onto the model, make them from sprue that held the parts for a model kit. Just heat a piece up over a small flame holding both ends, when it becomes shiny and bendy just pull it apart and you will draw out a long thread of plastic, thickness depends on how far you draw it out. |
| Old Wolfman | 20 May 2016 7:06 a.m. PST |
Some of my Team Yankee vehicles have a space for where an antenna might go. |
