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Thread Material Sets Rope Behavior
by Eugene Larson
| We are extremely grateful to Gene Larson, former
chairman of the Nautical Research Guild's Board of Directors for
researching and producing this information about thread types used to
produce model cordage from a model ropewalk. The key variable to get used
to in your own system is tension. He uses a weight hanging from the
stationary end of the ropewalk and adjusts it to maintain a tension
so the threads "lay up close" neutralizing a tendency to twist.
As has been stated there are many places to look for suitable
materials for rigging ship models. Linen is not the only material that
will produce high quality rigging. In fact some linen is worse than many
of the alternatives .
While picking up dry cleaning I noticed the seamstress area and on the
shelf of the work bench there were large cones of thread. I asked where
they were purchased, and I was told that they order them from a supplier.
This supplier could be pursued further, but perhaps a request to the
seamstress to order some cones for "ship model rigging" would be
acceptable. At least it is worth a try. The various types available could
be looked at on the workbench, as well as the variety of colors. It should
be easy to find a thin, smooth appropriate color. The larger cone is the
way to purchase thread since so much of it is used up on a rope walk. The
small spools do not last long.
The following table has been compiled by me based on experience with
preparing a demonstration of the rope walk. The highly scientific
approach,; feel in fingers, a calibrated eyeball, and a single opinion,
has yielded some suggestions for where to start. The point of the exercise
was to determine if there is anything available that will produce the
desired results.
The best approach is not to necessarily look for the specific brands
listed below, but to look in many places, spend a dollar each for spools
of thread, and experiment yourself to obtain the rigging you need.
Avoid the white threads. There are cream colors that are very suitable
for running rigging. The blacks are all good colors, except for the shiney
black. I did find some very dark brown thread that is excellent for
representing tarred rigging. It has to be held next to black to be sure it
isn't black. Look for Gutermann CA 02776 in polyester or cotton, color
596.
One criteria, however, is that the finer the starting thread the
better the end product. Anything over .012 inches is probably too heavy to
produce good rope on a rope walk.
|
| MATERIAL |
SIZE |
MAKER |
RATING |
REMARKS |
| LINEN |
.012 |
Old, from Model Shipways |
Very Good |
|
| COTTON (100%) |
.009 |
Gutermann CA 02776 |
Very Good |
|
| COTTON |
.011 |
Coats T16 |
Very Good |
Glace finish, hand quilting |
| COTTON/POLYESTER |
.012 |
Coats, Dual Duty |
Very Good |
cotton covered for buttons and carpet |
| COTTON/POLYESTER |
.011 |
Coats T8 |
Very Good |
dual duty cotton covered poly, Glace finish for
quilting |
| COTTON/POLYESTER |
.009 |
Mettler hand quilt waxed 997 |
Very Good |
33% cotton, 67% polyester very good |
| NYLON |
.012 |
Conso #69, color 751 |
Very Good |
heavy duty |
| SILK |
.010 |
Pearsall's - J.P. 210 |
Very Good |
Chinese Twist Silk |
| LINEN (marked 6/60) |
.016 |
From a large spool of unknown source |
Fair |
a little too heavy to lay up |
| LINEN |
.012 |
Fawcett |
Fair |
a little rough (large spool) |
| COTTON (100%) |
.016 |
Cabella 30, (France) |
Fair |
slight fuzz |
| COTTON |
.010 |
Coats Super Sheen |
Fair |
Heavy Duty mercerized with Silicone, slight fuzz |
| POLYESTER (100%) |
.009 |
Gutermann CA 02776 |
Fair |
slight fuzz |
| POLYESTER/COTTON |
.009 |
Mettler 137 #40 |
Fair |
slight fuzz - waxed for quilting |
| POLYESTER (100%) |
.009 |
Mettler 1161 Metrosene plus |
Fair |
slight fuzz |
| POLYESTER (100%) |
.010 |
Magnolia Mill |
Fair |
slight fuzz |
| LINEN (marked 3/4) |
.020 |
From a large spool of unknown source |
Poor |
a little too heavy to lay up |
| POLYESTER (100%) |
.009 |
Maxi-Lock 32599 natural |
Poor |
fuzz Maxi-Lock brand |
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