discussion Metal tow cables

[BattleshipBob]

Evening

The Dragon StuG G i am finishing comes with proper metal twisted tow cables, but they are very stiff and impossible to bend into realistic shape.

Can i heat it up to give it the required moment??

 

[scottie3158]

Bob,
I would say yes but how are the ends secured? I would be careful that they don't unravel. Maybe localised heat where you want the bends

 

[BattleshipBob]

Bob,
I would say yes but how are the ends secured? I would be careful that they don't unravel. Maybe localised heat where you want the bends

Hi Paul

I have attached the ends, so will try heat as you say where needed

Thanks bob

 

[Guest]

Are they steel cable? That looks great, but it’s hard to put it into realistic bends. I’ve long been using twisted copper wire instead.

 

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Jakko, yes, they do look good but no flex at all!

 

[Guest]

None at all, or they bend but don’t hold the bend?

 

[GerryW]

Sounds like they might be 'Bowden" cable (same as used on bicycle/motorbike brakes etc.) - unless going to heat up to red hot and form into the shape wanted, doubt that you'll be able to bend them

 

[minitnkr]

Can you mount them in "ready service" mode? Like seen in Tiger I photos where they are attached at front & back same side so are put in service quicker. This usually requires a lessor bend. PaulE

 

[BattleshipBob]

Sounds like they might be 'Bowden" cable (same as used on bicycle/motorbike brakes etc.) - unless going to heat up to red hot and form into the shape wanted, doubt that you'll be able to bend them

They look like bowdens Gerry, what a waste

Can you mount them in "ready service" mode? Like seen in Tiger I photos where they are attached at front & back same side so are put in service quicker. This usually requires a lessor bend. PaulE

Thats what i am thinking Paul, ta very much

 

[GerryW]

They look like bowdens Gerry, what a waste

Thats what i am thinking Paul, ta very much

Bowden cable is cheap as chips - it's the barrels, nipples and adjusters that cost the earth! Used to have to make all my own cables for our bikes, as I'd alter the handlebars & couldn't get stock ones to fit.

 

[Guest]

Photos Bob please, that might help to see exactly what your trying to work with. :nerd:

 

[BattleshipBob]

Here you go Mr Race



Yoy

You can see a tried bend! To fit on both fenders it has to go over, around etc!

 

[Strenko J]

Bob,, Like Jakko, I've used copper wire twisted together and just cut off the ends, re-drilled them and some superglue to hold them in place, copper wire is easily bent to the shape that you want to achieve.. bummer on the fold in the pic you show..

 

[Guest]

See what you mean Bob.
I've done wire rope splicing, one of the hardest things to achieve with out shredding your fingers !
Looks to me there aren't enough wires in the rope, 4 by the looks of it, in fact there should be at least 6 , some with a centre core again of 6 and others just the six.

I'd either make a new wire up using thin copper or heating that one up as was suggested.

453 Ex REME RECOVERY MECH

 

[BattleshipBob]

See what you mean Bob.
I've done wire rope splicing, one of the hardest things to achieve with out shredding your fingers !
Looks to me there aren't enough wires in the rope, 4 by the looks of it, in fact there should be at least 6 , some with a centre core again of 6 and others just the six.

I'd either make a new wire up using thin copper or heating that one up as was suggested.

453 Ex REME RECOVERY MECH

Hi John

Will try a heat up first, nothing to lose apart from the house lol

 

[Guest]

OOOH can I come round then:smiling2:

 

[BattleshipBob]

OOOH can I come round then:smiling2:

If its dark, look for the warm glow to the west

 

[Ian M]

I make copper wire 'rope'. Three single strands of wire from lamp wire, twisted up clockwise. Make three. Then spin those together anti clockwise... Heat it up and let it cool and it's very easy to form.
Worth remembering though,is that steel cable does kink in real life.

 

[BattleshipBob]

I make copper wire 'rope'. Three single strands of wire from lamp wire, twisted up clockwise. Make three. Then spin those together anti clockwise... Heat it up and let it cool and it's very easy to form.
Worth remembering though,is that steel cable does kink in real life.

True Ian, thanks

 

[Tim Marlow]

I use picture hanging wire. Basically multi strand brass wire. Bends easily and has a good number of strands so looks accurate. Yours looks a bit like tinned or galvanised wire Bob? Probably wha maki it hard to bend.....