Rifle Slings And Things

[Carlisle Exile]

Hello all
I have been attempting to use plastic strip styrene to make strapping and slings for muskets and horse harnesses ,which is good stuff but i have difficulty in making it look natural.What I am trying to say is could anyone recommend something a bit more malleable,for use with 35mm to 54mm figures .
I would be very grateful for any advice.
Thanks for your time.
Thomas.

 

[Russ5281]

Hi Thomas,
Try lead foil, electricians tape (adhesive removed with mineral spirits) or the thin aluminum from the bottom of grocery store pie pans. I have the best luck with lead foil, it's very malleable.

Russ

 

[Von Bock]

Thomas,
Have a look at this site. They have lead foil strips that might work well for you. Regards Brock

http://www.umm-usa.com/index.html

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Thomas,
As well as those listed above, that work very well, I have also used ordinary writing paper for these scales.
After you have it fixed at both ends you just wet it a little with a suitable brush to achieve the natural 'hang' of the strap.
Once painted it will hold this shape.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Carlisle Exile]

Thanks chaps
For all of the replies and tips all of which I shall try out.

Hi Thomas,
Try lead foil, electricians tape (adhesive removed with mineral spirits) or the thin aluminum from the bottom of grocery store pie pans. I have the best luck with lead foil, it's very malleable.

Russ

TV dinner trays shall be kept and clean out from now on Russ.
ZZ Top tip.

Thomas,
Have a look at this site. They have lead foil strips that might work well for you. Regards Brock

http://www.umm-usa.com/index.html

Brock thanks mate great site I have passed this on to a pal of mine who is currently building a WWI Gotha Bomber.

Hi Thomas,
As well as those listed above, that work very well, I have also used ordinary writing paper for these scales.
After you have it fixed at both ends you just wet it a little with a suitable brush to achieve the natural 'hang' of the strap.
Once painted it will hold this shape.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Keith

Keith
This I shall try first as its so close to hand.Plus I would have never thought of it.

Thanks again
Thomas

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I have used Kneadatite/Duro yellow and blue epoxy (Games Workshops flogs it at a terrible price), rolled flat on a vaseline-coated flat surface so it doesn't stick and then cut with a sharp craft knife and metal ruler once its set. Also I have tried writing paper but you need to be careful to use a sharp knife to avoid rough edges, which are very apparent at this small size.

Colin

 

[ChaosCossack]

The lead foil works best (usually get a small piece in the metal kits) but its like gold... haven't been able to find it retail on it's own. I found a decent replacement of the lead foil is the foil wrap around the top of a wine bottle. I don't drink wine so I hound my friends and neighbours for the tops of their empty wine bottles. BTW they think this makes me a bit off

Hope this helps

Colin

 

[Wings5797]

Also I have tried writing paper but you need to be careful to use a sharp knife to avoid rough edges, which are very apparent at this small size.

Colin

Hi Guys,
The trick to cutting paper straps is not to use a straight blade. I find that this type of scalpel/craft blade avoids the rough edges you get when trying to maintain the same blade angle with a normal craft knife. Any small change in angle will give the effect Colin mentions.
I hope that this is helpful.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Helm]

The lead foil works best (usually get a small piece in the metal kits) but its like gold... haven't been able to find it retail on it's own. I found a decent replacement of the lead foil is the foil wrap around the top of a wine bottle. I don't drink wine so I hound my friends and neighbours for the tops of their empty wine bottles. BTW they think this makes me a bit off

Hope this helps

Colin

You can get lead foil from fly fishing making firms it's usually self adhesive so ideal but ensure that you only remove the backing strip when you have it exactly how you want,as the glue is VERY strong as I found out the other day

 

[montythefirst]

I have the answer for getting lead foil retail i usually get mine on ebay from dolls house retailers as lead foil is used to simulate flashing on the doll's house roof

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miniature...Miniatures&hash=item19d3737667#ht_1197wt_1037

hope this helps

 

[housecarl]

Good find Monty.
Carl.

 

[MCPWilk]

Be careful with lead foil. It often ends up oxidising after a few years. You could try pewter foil instead.

Mike

 

[ChaosCossack]

Be careful with lead foil. It often ends up oxidising after a few years. You could try pewter foil instead.

Mike

I'm guessing the stuff in the kits is pewter... lead foil is sort of a catch all moniker. But your right, the lead would oxidize in time