It's a method I learnt the first time I got hooked on modelling as a kid from an old Military Modelling supplement by Stan Catchpol
It involves the use of 5 amp fuse wire, a cotton reel (or lately a 35mm film cannister) & some patience!
It's a very difficult thing to describe without pictures but I'll give it a try:
Cut three lengths of 5amp fuse wire (Tinned copper wire SWG35), each 100cms long, twist the end of each length into a loop and fix over a hook . Add a small weight to the other end, a clothes peg will do, and allow to hang straight down at a comfortable working height. Take an ordinary cotton reel (or an old 35mm film canister. Put a largish hole (5 or 6mm) in the centre of the lid and the bottom of the canister (Try to have these line up!) and two small holes near the edges of the lid, one each side. Thread the lid on first, then pass the middle wire through the bottom of the can and put the lid on, trapping the outer wires outside the can (once level add a bit of tape if it needs it) )
and make another nick in the rim opposite the existing one. Thread one strand through the hole in the centre of the reel and re-attach the weight. Hook the other two strands into the nicks on the cotton reel, one each side. Adjust until all three strands are hanging free and the reel is level. Increase the weight on the centre strand until hangs quite straight (a bunch of keys is ideal)
Using both hands (one to twist, one to hold) twist the reel round and round, keeping a gentle tension on the wire. Watch the wire closely so that you do not over wind. About 4 to 5 turns per cm looks right, but go by your own sight!
When the twisted wire looks right, bind off the ends and remove the reel. Whilst still on the hook, draw the wire between the fingers to remove any tendency to curl. Replace the weight on the bottom end.
For the next stage leave the 5 amp fuse wire on the spool or card. Proceed to twist this onto the prepared wire. Wind tightly three times in the same spot. Form a loop and wind on a further three turns about 5 or 6 mm along the prepared wire. Repeat this the full length of the prepared wire each time finishing the wind on the opposite side. If you run out of wire half way along, re-start winding on the opposite side and carry on as before. Tie off at the end, make sure the twists are tight on the wire.
Remove from the hook and pass the whole strand through a small gas flame (cigarette lighter), long enough for the tinning to run. This is almost instantaneous. Too much heat will remove the tinning altogether. The twist will have just enough “tin” on them to hold position. A final, liberal coat of matt varnish will set the barbs in position, while at the same time, give a metallic sheen to the discoloured wire. When the varnish is completely dry, cut away the loops fairly close to the wire.
Hope you manage to make sense of that!! :lol:
