Austrian knots anyone?

[chailey]

Hi all,
I'm attempting a 120mm conversion of a Kings Dragoon of the Zulu war period, using a recently acquired Mike French Sudan kit (thanks Richie).
I'm really struggling with the elaborate cuff decoration (Austrian Knots), I have tried using various sizes of fine wire without success, it just looks bulky and creating two that are identical seems an impossible task!
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks, chailey

 

[valiant]

Hi -
Try putting 3 pins into a piece of balsa in a triangle shape, then wrapping 0.4 lead wire (or fuse wire) around them. Once the shape is done, take the pins out and voila! Austrian Knots!! With practice, you can get a couple to match.

Steve

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I have generally used rolled Duro/green stuff. Will follow the contour if the clothing where folds exist better than wire.

Colin

 

[chailey]

Thanks Steve, I can see your method working with a 'trefoil' type border , but the Dragoon cuff detail is a bit more complex, (several intertwined loops).
Duro hadn't occurred to me, certainly worth experimenting!

 

[MCPWilk]

Try fuse wire. It is soft and malleable, it comes in many thicknesses/diameters and can be easily flattened in a small vice or the end of some pliers.

Mike

 

[Richie]

Hi Steve,
What pattern are you trying to recreate???? can you post an image! This might help us to determine a better method depending on the complexity.
cheers
Richie

 

[chailey]

Hope this shows enough detail, would it be possible to have them photo etched maybe?