Andrea Gothic Knight Horse Reins

[Gary D]

Hi all. I need a bit of help with replicating the reins for the 90mm Gothic Knight horse. The ones that I have are too brittle and one broke. As they are lead based (I think), has anyone have any idea on what I can use as a substitution? I thought of solder, but even after rolling it flat, it will remain round on the edges. I have Evergreen strip styrene 0.15" x .060" but how do you form it so it will sag like real bridle reins? I tried soaking it in hot water, but it doesn't really bend well (for me anyway).

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Used to be toothpaste tube in the past, but today's material on the cheap would be a tomato puree tube. Thin malleable and about the right thickness.

 

[gordy]

You can elasticize evergreen strip by holding one end and then pulling the other end between your thumbnail and forefinger (kind of like how curly present ribbons are made).

That will make it much more pliable.

 

[John Bowery]

You can use lead foil, such that seals wine bottles. Some hobby shops also sell lead foil. You can flatten it with rolling an exacto knife on, it the more pressure the thinner it will become. So usually little pressure is sufficient. Then cut a length the width you need and by cutting it longer you will have plenty to work with and some left over for other belts etc? This will be extremely flexible without breaking.
Just remember to prime with a metal primer prior to painting. You can paint prior to attaching or after. If you paint prior you will need to expose the metal for the glue to attach to the horse etc. You can always touch up the glue area.
Cheers
John

 

[Helm]

I have used electrical tape before

 

[Gary D]

Thanks all! I do have different thicknesses of lead foil, but thought it would be too thin and curl as I cut it. Maybe I'll give it a go afterall.
Thanks for the ideas everyone!

Gary

 

[tonydawe]

The thin foil that is used to seal ground coffee in jars makes excellent scale reins, as its very strong, very thin and holds a shape once bent.

 

[housecarl]

A new scalpel blade, a good ruler on a decent surface,
and you should be able to get some decent pieces off Gary.
Carl.

 

[Gary D]

did the new blade with a metal ruler and it worked perfectly (well as perfect as I can get it )

Thanks all!

 

[abbo]

Doing this one myself at the moment.Feels like I've been lifting weights.
I will probably replace the reins with Ones made from Photo Paper.
Just the type you use in inkjet printers.
Good luck
Martin

 

[Gary D]

Thanks Martin. I would say try to save the originals as they are easier to work with, but thinking of what they would look like in regards to scale, they would be about 1.5 inches thick. This I think was too thick so creating new ones out of thin foil or photo paper like you suggest is no doubt truer to scale.
Thanks

Gary