Posted by Richard Tonti on May 28, 1998 at 02:46:44 in 140.middletown-03.va.dial-access.att.net :
In Reply to: Tip for making scale appearing wireless antennae posted by Bob Read on May 27, 1998 at 21:38:54:
: Absolutely the most challenging aspect of modelling the Minicraft Titanic is making the four wire wireless antennae that extends between the two masts with connecting wires from each wire to the Marconi wireless room. Warning! The technique I used should probably not be attempted by the novice modeler. I have been modeling for many years and this step nearly drove me to distraction since I had to start over at least ten times. What makes it difficult is the necessity of making the antennae wires of such a small diameter that they "disappear" as on the real ship.
: Well if you're a glutton for punishment, here goes. First you must create some kind of filament of small enough diameter that can "sag" like the real antennae and an filament that will not kink at any point along its length. After much experimentation I found the perfect raw material: the cap of a Bic metal roller ball point pen. This is the raw material from which to produce fine filaments using the "stretched sprue" method. Get a candle and hold the cap of the pen over the flame until an area starts to melt. At this point grasp the molten area with a pair of tweezers and pull with a steady motion until you have created a filament of approximately the right length but preferably longer. Do a lot of practice and experimentation with this step. The hotter the molten plastic area the thinner the filament will be. The faster you pull the thinner the filament. The opposite of these steps is also true. When you have been able to produce at least four filaments of matching diameters you are ready for the assembly of the antennae wires. At each end is a rigid wire "loom" that holds the wires at an equal distance. I made mine out of a small length of brass railing from the GMM set. These looms are at different distances from the masts. The forward one is closer to its mast than the aft one. Premeasure with a filament to get the right length with the right amount of "sag".
: On a flat table tape each of the four filaments equidistant from each other at the correct scale distance. Gently slide each of the looms under either end of the four filaments at the correct premeasured distance. On a pin or small wire place a small quantity of thin super glue and touch each place where the filament passes over a loom. Allow to dry. The four filaments merge into one on the mast side of either loom. Heres how to do this: Each of the four filaments should extend beyond the loom far enough to reach the mast. A filament of matching size to the antennae filaments is passed under them on the mast side of the loom. This filament brings the four filaments together after it is tied in a knot around them at the correct distance from the loom. With a sharp scalpel blade, three of the filaments are trimmed off close to the knot. The remaining untrimmed filament will be tied to the mast. Make a preliminary loop in each of the single end filaments. CAREFULLY lift the antenna assembly and place each of these loops over its respective mast and tighten and secure with super glue after adjusments have been made.
: To make the connections to the Marconi wireless mast, cut spare filaments of the same diameter as the antennae and measure for the correct length from the antenna wire to the wireless mast on the deckhouse. Wet the end with a small quantity of thin super glue. Touch this end to one of the antenna wires at the desired connection position. Blow to dry quickly and release. Repeat for the other three connectors. Join each of the connectors to the wireless mast with super glue. Trim any long ends.
: The fabrication and installation of these antennae should be the ABSOLUTE LAST step in the construction and rigging of the Titanic.
: I know this is a tedious routine but if you're up for it you will really like the results.
*** sir,
I have found that by experimenting with strands from wigs and doll hair (available at craft boutiques) I was able to get very exacting results by dipping the strands in wet mix of black lacquer and dry the entire affair on waxed paper in a procedure very similar to making shrouds (ratlines) for sailing vessels. Since the lacquer acts as glue the cross threads were easily fastened to the opposing strands and the entire assembly can be constructed in 10-15 minutes.
There is also a slight degree of flexability along with the inherent sag that the full size cables would have produced
I know it sounds ridiculous but it works very well
Thank you and all the best to you.
Richard Tonti