Avoiding fuzzy thread

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I think that many of us pull thread through wax in order to settle the thread fibres. However, I read in a book by Keith Julier that another method is to '....... run the thread through fingers made sticky by PVA glue'. It doesn't say whether to let it then dry before using, but I think that things could get messy if you pull it through pulley blocks etc when wet. I don't doubt what Keith is saying, but does anyone have any experience of this method? Thanks.
 
I use both methods although the wax method is a bit prone to holding dust and is a little harder to get off but now have a display cabinet so its not so much of a problem,with PVA by letting it dry it can make it a bit stiff but I use it on thread ends when passing thru small eyes of .3 to .5 mm.
Hope this helps

Bob
 
Handling lines with PVA makes them stiff and beyond the difficulties at the assembly they also look even more unnatural. Using wax has another disadvantage (beyond collecting dust) - it will fill the grooves in the rope and the rope will look really bad. With all sorts of difficulties by making our own ropes one of the advantages is to have a rope with natural appearance, showing all those grooves - and the wax is happily gets rid of them!
So my answer to the question is rather to make your own ropes from qood quality material or to chose again good quality ropes, available on the market (NOT those, supplied by the kit manufacturers, Artasenia, Panart, Corel, etc!)
Janos
 
I have seen a demonstration by a very elderly and experienced master model ship builder in our ship modelling society, and he never uses wax.

He lights a match and runs it over the line very quickly to burn off the fuzz. I must admit I haven't tried this myself .
 
I have read acrylic paint is another one to explore, will definitely use it on the Pearl build so will let you know how I get on with it.
 
I have always used natural beeswax. You have to be kind of careful because some places try to sale beeswax and all it is, is candle wax. The beeswax definitely gets rid of the fuzzy lines and makes them look more solid.
I have had my Trinidad sitting out "open" now for two years. (yes, I need a cabinet). But as far as dust - the ole ship is still looking a little like I just finished it. I have not witnessed the beeswax attracting dust. But, then again, I will admit that I have not taken a magnifying glass to it either.

There are a few occasions that I used super glue on the lines and that was to make some of the lower "braces" look like they were hanging naturally. I guess I could have used wood glue as well for that.
 
Spoke to a friend of mine about this very issue who's quite experienced at rigging, and he runs his rigging line quickly over a lit light globe.
The heat singes the fuzz but does not burn the line.

might have to try this one.
 
A "lit light globe" ? Can you explain more? Are you talking about an ordinary incandescent light found in a house ceiling light?
 
Hi Chuck

Yout rope looks fantastic! Soon I begin to make my own rope for my build. I made rope walk and try it, its working!
But what I see, I mast make some ropes for learning. So, for start I need informations. What thread to use, I try cotton and polyester. Here in Croatia is difficult to find cotton and when I find it, I dont like a color. How You manage the color of Your ropes? What I see from the picture, black ropes is not made from black threat, looks very realistic.

regards
Barba
 
Very nice work, must try with brown combination. If is not a problem, what thickness is the rope on picture,
For now, I have more problems with smaller rope.

Chuck, thanks for information, You give me a lot to work to.

regards
Barba
 
I thought of the last picture, but dasn't matter, you explained everything with this picture. I'm about to start testing soon enough.
I'm happy with a build so far, so I want this part(riging) to be on the same level,
 
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