Author Topic: Tying Lines (Read 1690 times)

Chancey Chorney · « **on:** February 21, 2019, 07:23:31 PM »

Hi again. Sorry for the second post, but thought it would be best. Anyways, as I am pretty new to tying wire lines for my plane, I have a question. I just picked up some bulk line from a local flier and was wondering about the ends of the lines. Many years ago, I bought a set of Brodak .008 lines and they came with the crimps and round brass 'eyes'. However with the bulk lines, I did not get either. I am not opposed to wrapping the lines as I feel it is stronger and I can do a better job. But the main question is do I need the brass 'eyes' on the ends of my lines? If so, where can one find them, or what are they really called? I took a peek at Brodak, and could not locate them. I did a search, but did not have much luck finding anything on this. Thank you for your time and help again.

bill bischoff · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2019, 07:43:48 PM »

Brodak calls them "thimbles". They sell them in 3 sizes. I buy mine from mbsmodelsupply.com. They call them "eyelets". I use two different colors of wire sold for wrapping fishing flies to wrap my lines. The size is called "brassie". I'm not a fisherman so I have no idea what that actually means.

Bill

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2019, 07:45:26 PM »

Thank you. The wire is easy to find then as there is a fishing store not too far away from me and kind of on my way home from work...... At least I have something to go by for names now.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2019, 07:47:49 PM »

Silly question time again. If I do get them, I see MBS has both 1/8" and 5/32" ID. Which would be best used for .012" lines.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2019, 08:19:33 PM »

Would these type of eyes be ok to use. Just found them in teh model room while taking pictures of the kit. I would not crimp it as tight, and possibly use a removable 'spacer' of some sort. I have them in different materials as well. Just curious. Thanks.

bill bischoff · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2019, 06:32:22 AM »

I'd be concerned about all the breaks/ splits/ sharp edges on the "home made" eyelets as potential wear points. Use the 1/8" eyelets from MBS. Consider it cheap insurance.

Bill

Phil Spillman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2019, 06:45:37 AM »

In wrapping the wire down the "line" go at least 5/8". BUT before you start, I put two different colors of shrink tight plastic on the main line; I do the same at the other end so as to differentiate between "UP" and "Down" lines. Once complete you never have to question which line is which! I use a cigarette lighter to shrink the tubes down on the lines. Works neatly and doesn't set up stress points as would solder, or Ambroid! Usually white tubes are available and then just some contrasting color for the other. I prefer to use the I lightest color for "Up".

Phil Spillman

Don Jenkins · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2019, 07:00:17 AM »

Chancey,

You will find this helpful regarding the technique for wrapping lines. Google "How to wrap flying lines for control line models" this should get you to a video done by Fred Cronenwett.

Don

Donald Main · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2019, 07:46:42 AM »

Jim Lee has a great tool for holding the wrapping wire and makes it easy to wrap lines.

John Rist · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2019, 08:20:22 AM »

This should be the link to Fred's video. It is really good.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2019, 10:24:12 AM »

Thank for the help and videos. Funny as I watched that video last night as Dennis sent me the link on how to tie lines. Very good and easy looking. The jig looks easy to make too. Contacted MBS about eyelets.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2019, 10:48:02 AM »

I myself don't use the thimbles/eyelets. I use brass tubing just big enough the line will go through it. Run it through a torch to red hot and let air cool. Cut to length after cleaning the tubing, I cut about 1 1/4 inches. Then after inserting the cable or line wrap it around a drill bit or rod of 1/8 inch diameter. Makes it easier for me to hold the line while wrapping even though I don't wrap lines any more.

Peter in Fairfax, VA · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:11:21 PM »

From the video, I see "twice around the eyelet." Interesting, never thought of that, always went around the eyelet, less than one full turn.

Peter in Fairfax, VA · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:40:59 PM »

When the video was done, the end of the flying line was cut about 3/16" beyond the eyelet. As the instructor noted, it was left sharp. That's how I leave it, and I get poked by the sharp end all the time. The instructor suggested that the flying line could be further trimmed. Did he mean trim it closer to the copper wrap, using a better pair of cutters? How close?

Btw, I never use any jig/stand. I start by leaving the eyelet on the table, then grabbing the flying line with my left hand (non-dominant), as well as the loose end of the 18" of copper in my left hand. Then I make one or two loose wraps of the copper with my right hand. Then I push the loose wraps towards where the eyelet goes, sneaking in the eyelet as the loop goes tight.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:47:12 PM »

Quote from: Peter Klosky on February 22, 2019, 12:11:21 PM

From the video, I see "twice around the eyelet." Interesting, never thought of that, always went around the eyelet, less than one full turn.

That's too easy. You gotta go around twice. Then you have a catapult that will fling the eyelet off into the rug or grass. It's part of the experience.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2019, 03:06:48 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on February 22, 2019, 10:48:02 AM

I myself don't use the thimbles/eyelets. I use brass tubing just big enough the line will go through it. Run it through a torch to red hot and let air cool. Cut to length after cleaning the tubing, I cut about 1 1/4 inches. Then after inserting the cable or line wrap it around a drill bit or rod of 1/8 inch diameter. Makes it easier for me to hold the line while wrapping even though I don't wrap lines any more.

I really like this idea, and sounds relatively simple. With that said, when finishing the lines, once you bend the tubing, do you wrap with wire just the same as using eyelets? Would you happen to have a picture for reference you could please share just so I can see? I think I am seeing this properly, but just want to be sure. As well, even using tubing of the correct diameter, is there any risk of it bending/kinking making a flat spot? If so, does this affect anything? I may go to the hobby shop tomorrow and I know they carry tubing and am pretty sure no eyelets so I will do it this way more than likely. Thank you.

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:58:21 PM »

Like this? I've been doing it this way for years. These are lead outs but lines are the same.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2019, 05:05:26 PM »

Just what I needed. Thank you very much.

Fred Cronenwett · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2019, 05:23:20 PM »

I did a pull test with some .021 diameter solid wire that was wrapped with the method in the video. I got the .021 solid wire from MBS and it never showed any sign of problems even when I had 110 lbs of weight hanging from the line sample.

But the point of the information above is that the line used the thimble with the copper wrap and it never failed even with 110 lbs of weight hanging from a single wire. I use the .021 solid wire for my larger CL scale models.

also the flying wire that remains near the thimble after the wrap is complete cut as close as possible, but then I coat the entire wrapped end with epoxy to keep it from coming undone. I don't like being poked by the end of the wire either so I cover it with the epoxy.

Fred

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2019, 08:35:14 PM »

Yes, just like Mike shows in his reply. But I don't use epoxy as that makes a hard point at the end of the wrap.

Chancey Chorney · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2019, 02:31:10 PM »

Well, we're on our way there now. I have the tubing. I picked up some 1/16" aluminum tubing today at teh LHS. Seemed easier to bend and for teh amount of flying I do, will be good enough me thinks. Next trip will be to get some fly tying wire for wrapping the lines and that may be a week or so. Or I can use wire from a cord too I suppose.