Technique question

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Dan Morton

Dan Morton

A Fixture
Joined
Jul 3, 2004
Messages
8,060
Location
Great Plains of the Midwest, Omaha, Nebraska, USA,
I put this question on the 3 Tommies thread but it's more of a techniques and materials kind of question for you more experienced sculptors.

I need to make extended rifle slings of about 50mm or 2 inches length and 2mm in width and depth. They need to be strong and stiff and not become slack. They need to both look and actually be tight. They also need to be sturdy enough to not fall apart when transported. The figures will be shipped to Roger Newsome for painting and possibly to model shows, so the material used for the rifle slings can't be brittle, etc. The rifle slings have no ornamentation. Just simple M1914 leather pattern rifle slings for the SMLE rifle. Buckles and holes for buckle tongues - no more than that.

Lead tape? Is that the best material? If not, what?

All the best,
Dan
 
Dan,
For items like slings and straps, I like to use flattened solder. The solder comes in different thicknesses and can be found at electronic repair/ supply places like radio shack. Hope this helps.
 
Kneadatite Epoxy Modeling Putty or (Green Stuff) as they call it. Roll it out and cut it to length and width just before you attach it to the figures and it is not brittle. It has a little flex so it so it should hold up fine.
 
Hi Dan

I use for slings, straps and buttons lead foil. It comes in different thicknesses and you can find it at tooth technician.

It is soft and flexibly

Ulrich
 
Thanks fellas!!!

Robert - What gauge (thickness) and type of solder do you use? Obviously not rosin core! Jeff - I thought about Duro or Pro-create or mixes of those and MS, but I wonder if that would be sturdy enough to not break in shipment. Since the slings are exposed and hanging, I suspect no putty would be strong enough. Thanks for the thought!!! Ulrich - I'm thinking lead foil is my best choice also, but I'd like to try the solder possibly. That might be a little stronger.

If anybody else has different suggestions - I'd still like to hear from you!!

All the best,
Dan
 
Dan,

I've used rosin core before. Just make sure that you seal off the ends. You might consider getting some lead wire from a fly tying shop. It comes in a variety if gauges and rolls our nicely. I've found that a sheet of cured Duro works very well too. You can control the thickness when you roll it out flat. Of course the usual suspects work fine too, lead foil, paper stiffened with super glue, electrical tape with the adhesive removed. All work fine.
 
Hi Dan
I use lead foils (from wine bottles) sometimes a mix 50/50 milliput and magic sculpt rolled in a foid and cut with a x cutter past in some oil.
For paper I think White glue with some water will be better.
Fernand
 
They give: my small contribution, grenn stuff to 50% with milliput to standar or magik on metallic support
saludos.
Diego
 
Dan,
For 54mm scale figures I use .032 diameter for canteen straps, knapsack straps,etc. I do have some other sizes but cannot read the labels as they are worn. The .032 diameter seems to work well for most straps, but they do make it in other sizes from smaller to alot larger. It is rosin core, I do not use it very often so hopefully I wont get lead poisening!
 
Thanks Robert! I'd guess 0.125 or 0.093 for 120mm scale, but I'll take a look at the hardware first.

I don't think you need to worry about lead poisoning. You can still buy high lead solder and it's needed in some types of work, but the majority of solders now contain more tin, less lead.

Wash your hands before you eat that peanut butter and jelly sandwich and don't eat anywhere near your bench. :) It's always a bit of both, but most of the work-related lead poisoning cases I've seen (only a few) have been ingestion, not inhalation.

All the best,
Dan
 
the best way ( for me !!!)

Hi Dan
the best way , i try all the others, is to use solder or better old fuse (softer because only lead ) and the most important use pasta machine ( YOUR pasta machine if you dont want to have problems (health and conjugal) ) and in 2 or 3 pass you have a perfect strip strong and malleable .....simple no
best regards
didier
 

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Dan,
The .032 is used for 54mm or 1/35 scales. There are larger sizes that I am sure would work great for 120mm. Have you had a chance to try any of the suggestions since you started the post? I am curious to see what works best for you.
 

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