Silk

[Robert Zambelli]

Anyone know of a good supplier for silk?

And, how is it specified?

I remember a term from years ago - mumy or something to that effect.

Bob Z.

[frank mccune]

    Hello Robert:

    Try this:

    Thai Silks 800-722-7455 or 650-695-7455.

    If they do not have it, you do not need it.

                                                                                                   Frank McCune

     

[Lyle Spiegel]

 Bob, Check out
www.dharmatrading.com

They have 6 mm & 8mm in various colors. good prices. I have not compared to Thai product.
I wish someone would convince Esaki to bring back  silk with checkerboard. I want to use it on my Voodoo build.

[Chuck_Smith]

Second the Dharma. I've had great luck with it.

[Crist Rigotti]

Second the Dharma. I've had great luck with it.

+1 on Dharma

[Fredvon4]

I use Dharma silk because it is cheaper than most other sources. You should find the 5 MM or 8 MM (Momme)... Larger MM is tighter weave and heavier per SqYrd

The already dyed stuff is mostly 8MM and heavier

From their web site description:
Silk Habotai Fabrics
Also known as "china silk" this is the classic silk fabric you see used in all kinds of projects. This silk fabric has a soft and supple hand and a lustrous sheen. Perfect for beginners and students as it is economical and has a smooth surface so lends itself to all painting techniques. Great for scarves, pillows, linings, banners, flags etc. Available in 5 weights and widths!

http://www.dharmatrading.com/fabric/silk/silk-habotai-fabrics.html?lnav=fabric_silk.html

There is also the note about shrinkage from their web site:

100% Habotai Silk
5mm, 36", 45", or 55" wide
You can dye this with Acid Dyes
We found that this shrinks 8% in Length and 1% in Width
Available in cut yardage (bulk discounts levels at 10+ yds.), and 55 yard bolts
Machine wash in any temperature water

[Air Ministry .]

Theres a Chiese Merchant in Auckland N Z that carries V good quality close weve silk " For Model Aeroplanes " think it was $ 50 for 4 yards.

Just did a combat wing , needs to be put on WET and Shrinking Dope . With the exchange rate It'd be good value .

[FLOYD CARTER]

There was a discussion not long ago concerning first dying silk in a water bath, then drying.  It shrinks when drying.

The question was "once shrunk and dried, will it still shrink again when applied wet?"

Silk will "relax" each time it is wetted.  So, pre-dying in water and drying does not affect its shrinking when wet once again.  Apply the silk wet, and it will shrink on the model structure.

[Larry Renger]

I suspect that if you put the dye in denatured alcohol, you would not pre-shrink the silk. It will definitely dye the silk, but can't guarantee the shrink effect.

And, however, I know by experience, that it definitely works just fine on Polyspan!

I was at a swap meet and a guy had a pile of packages of silk. "How much?" I ask, "$5" he says. I begin to reach for my wallet, and he points out that is for the whole pile! The abrasion burns on my wallet hand have since healed. 

[Avaiojet]

There was a discussion not long ago concerning first dying silk in a water bath, then drying.  It shrinks when drying.

The question was "once shrunk and dried, will it still shrink again when applied wet?"

Silk will "relax" each time it is wetted.  So, pre-dying in water and drying does not affect its shrinking when wet once again.  Apply the silk wet, and it will shrink on the model structure.

I started applying silk dry using CA on my Gee Bee Z. There's a Gee Bee Z build at CFC Graphic's vendor's corner where I write about this with photos.

I had issues with the silkspan covering on my ARGO 2, so I removed the silkspan in the open bays and recovered and replaced it with silk applied dry with CA.

The results were excellent and the silk is board tight.

Here's the ARGO 2 with a couple coats of dope.

Applying silk with CA is a bit tricky, so don't try this at home.  

CB

Edited, sorry, the build is at "Scale" not CFC Graphics.

[Larry Renger]

Gee, that's real helpful. Are we back to the old days of modelling secret techniques? I thought that went out in the '50s.

[Avaiojet]

Gee, that's real helpful. Are we back to the old days of modelling secret techniques? I thought that went out in the '50s.

Larry,

That "Gee" thing, I'm not sure if you're referring to my Post or not, but there are no secrets in model building. Well, there shouldn't be anyway.

That's why there are Forums, so ideas and methods can be and exchanged, shared and viewed.

It's up to the readers to decide what path they will take.

Modeling is a long road.

CB

[Robert Zambelli]

Thanks, Guys - I really appreciate all the help and suggestions.

I'm getting an order together.

  Bob Z.