I model the late 1800s and, consequently, have numerous horse-pulled wagons. The one thing all my wagons lack are reins! I have haunted numerous sewing centers - looking for the thinest sewing thread offered. Unfortunately the smallest diameter thread I have found still looks like a fire hose in the buggy driver’s hands. Any suggestions? A doctor friend said he thought very fine suture thread might be acceptable. I wouldn’t have any idea where to obtain this material. I appreciate your thoughts on this subject. There has to be other 19th century modelers that have solved this vexing problem.
Have you tried melting and stretching plastic?
Use one of the “tree’s” that are left over after you build a kit. You can roll it over an open flame like a lighter then stretch as thin as you like.It takes a few tries to get the heat right.
CNE,
You’ll probably need at least 5-0 (0.1mm or 0.004" diameter) non-absorbable suture or smaller. I would try a medical supply store in your area first. If they don’t carry it, at least they can tell you who might and whether it can be purchased.
Also, bring one of your wagons along with your and show the medical store exactly what you plan on using it for. They might possibly be able to give you a recommendation on suture size.
Lastly, in the event the suture can be purchased, see if you can get it in spool form - i.e. without the needles. The disposable packaging and needles that normally come with ready-to-use suture are a significant part of the cost.
Hope that helps…
Tom
model ship rigging thread? I’ve seen.008" at MIcromark. Suture material is avail at medsupply firms but probably only come in quantity. I’d ask the Dr. friend for a pack, they have the connections.
That seems to be a common problem. I have a couple of Walther’s structures, such as the concrete coaling tower, that they’ve included some of the largest thread known to man for use on the pulley systems. Next time I’m at the drs. office I think I’ll see what they have.
Jarrell
Yes, Catfan, I have tried melting and stretching plastic. That procedure has two problems: toxic fumes from the melting plastic (probably overcome by doing the process outdoors), and the fact that the plastic gets extremely fragile…breaking with the slightest pressure.
BTW: I love your screenname…Cats rule and dogs drool.
Thanks,
Ray
Hmm, my doctor friend didn’t offer any suiture material…but I can ask. We do have a couple of medical supply places, in the area or in Huntsville, so I can start inquiring. That suggestion regarding ship’s rigging material, from Micro Mark, also sound intriguing. I sincerely appreciate you assistance. Hopefully my teamsters will have an easier time of it when they can directly control their teams.
Regards,
Ray
You need to strip some insulation off stranded wire and use the individual strands for the riegns. The copper paints up real nice and can be formed to the right drape and all. BILL
WELL, RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK COLOR AND TEXTURE. HAY, CHECK THAT GIRL WALKING IN FRONT OF YOU ( bring face mask ). ALL KIDDING ASIDE, HAIR MAKES GOOD TACK FOR HORSE AND WAGONE. TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT. ROUND HAIR IS STRIGHT, FLAT HAIR TENDS TO CURL. BAYOUMAN
At a train show I once saw a kid with a kite in HO scale and I asked the guy about the kite string. (You could hardly see it) The guy said that on certain kinds of dental floss you can pull the strands apart and use them for very thin string and rope applications in modeling.
Brent
There are some very clever people in model railroading. Your suggestions are wonderful! Yes, I can see where a strand of wire or dental floss would work well. Bayouman: your suggestion of using hair is so simple - it is probably the last thing I would have tried [“No sweetheart, I don’t want to know your sign…but how about a lock of your hair?”]. Unfortunately this old boy needs ALL the hair he has on his head (besides white reins were not all that common). I plan on being reeeeal nice to the next brunette I see. Of course I could haunt the barbershops and beauty salons in town.
Guys, I am going to try all your suggestions. When I am successful I will post a picture on the forum. Well…'time to hitch up the buggy and meet the 10:15 out’a Beacon.
Happy trails,
Ray
head to your local fly fishing shop and check out the thread
some threads can be had in sizes 8/0 and even smaller.
tying a fly on a size 26 hook takes some small thread
Hi CNE Runner,
Would you try and use a piece of the copper wire from the multistrand powercord or even the wire you use on your layout…just strip the isolation, pull out a strand and attach with superglue, paint it dull brown / black to get rid of the copper shine etc.
Dredgeboater
Monofilament fishing line comes in various weights, too. Check you local Wal-mart sporting goods section. I’m not so sure that it could be painted, though, since it’s going to be very slick.
Well after reading another thread on glue gun cobwebs I got to thinking. I did an experiment and found them to be quite strong. I purposely made some lengths between two pieces of wood and then proceed to twist some together for various thicknesses. Colouring can be done with a marker or paint on a Q-TIP. The experimenting continues but I think I have my solution to various thicknesses of power lines into my buildings and industries. Whats yet to be determined is, if they will sag after a while. Glue gun cobwebs may make good reins.
Brent
I model early 1900’s and have a few horses on my layout and intend to have many more. I have been using micro size copper wire for horses reins and for many other things including steam locomotive bell and whistle cords and water tank hoops. I have two large spools which vary slightly in size. I inherited these spools from my father in law who was a master ship model builder. This wire is extremely easy to use, bend and shape. Unfortunately, I have no clue where he purchased these spools. One of these spools is coated. My best guess from the looks of this wire is that it’s original purpose was for small electrical motor windings. I looked it up under ship models and could not find it listed although there are many suppliers listed under motor windings. The good news for me is that I have a supply of it that will last for many lifetimes. I am attaching some pictures but you have to look closely to see it. Peter Smith, Memphis 
I have been exploring some of the suggestions made in this thread (all are appreciated). The hair idea really didn’t work very well as hair will not stay in one position. I will say the thickness was spot on. This had me try a strand of very thin wire. Good, but just a little too thick. The nice thing about wire is that you can position the reins in whatever profile you wish. Whilst having a conversation with a neighbor he suggested armature wire. Some of this wire is extremely thin and would definitely fit the bill (as good for bell and whistle cord). I have not been able to find a source of this wire; but am going to ask at a local electrical motor rebuilding place.
Peter, I throughly enjoyed your layout pictures. I was trying to reason out what the ground cover would look like in 1899 and I think you have captured the feeling of that period. Thanks to all!
Ray
Hi CNE Runner,
I was trying to remember the gauge or close to it, as when I was a kid, my Great Aunt ( my dad’s aunt gave me a Twenty Mule Team wagon train setup model kit like they used to show on the old Twenty Mule Team TV show years ago,
It had fine thread and and some loops for the hardware to put the reins together.
Hmmm, my other hobby is RC airplanes and some of my buddies build these real small electric indoor model airplanes, and rebuild the motor armatures with real fine wire.I think they get them from trashed out cassette tape players and recorders, and trashed out DVD players, as they all have real small motors in them
You might also see if there are any electronic supply houses in your area.
I wouldn’t know if Radio Shack carries any such wire ,but I doubt it.
Basically what these guys do is rewind armatures for these real tiny motors.
Maybe try a LHS and see if they have any trashed out small electric motors. Take it apart and use the wire. on the armature or stators
You should be able to buy an old motor fairly cheap.
Hope this information might help.
Hmmm, just thought of something else!
Maybe the answer is right under our noses!
Maybe you have an old worn out loco, and could cannibalize the motor for your wire?
TheK4Kid
You might want to check out EZ Line from Berkshire Jct:
http://www.berkshirejunction.com/
This stuff is really ‘thin’ and comes in white, green, and ‘rust’ color.
Jim
I’ve been saving cat whiskers (not fur or hair) for about 20 years now. Was thinking about using them for reeds in a pond or something.
Could this be useful or still too coarse?