How to Make Antennas for Scale Models | Stretched Sprue Technique
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- In this video, I'll show you a simple & effective method for making your own antennas for plastic scale model tanks & other vehicles using the stretched sprue method. This is a classic technique that's been a staple of scale modeling for years... and it's an important one to add to your toolbox!
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Seeing your mistakes helps emphasize that while not difficult, you do need to work slowly and carefully. Thanks
I'm glad you think so! That was the idea... I appreciate it 👍
@@SpruesNBrews Going to second this! So many videos only show the perfect final product. I think it's quite healthy to see mistakes being made - reminds us that *everyone* makes mistakes hobbying and that it's okay. We learn, we try again, and *nobody* is perfect!
Another nice video. Glad to see somebody letting beginners know that things don't always go right the first time around and that patience is one of a modeler's most needed skills. Personally, I've never gotten this technique to work - OK, I'm a klutz. I did find another great way to make antennas. Get a really thin wire wrapped STEEL guitar string. Cut it about 1/4" longer than you want your antenna to be - then strip off all the wire wrapping down to the extra 1/4" & cut it away. Bingo! You've got a real steel antenna complete with a spring-type mounting base.
You had me at Pecan Bourbon! LOL I've been using guitar strings, but I'm not all that pleased with them. Think I'll go back to your technique. Thanks!
Haha! I also use guitar strings quite a bit, but figure this is a little more user-friendly for most folks. I've used stretched sprues for my last few builds & it works just as well 👍
Trying this tonight for my panzer G
I remember learning how to do this from an HMS King George V model back in the 90’s. As demonstrated it takes a bit of practice to get it right! 👍
For sure! Practice make perfect 👍 thanks for watching!
This is a great way to make antennas. Use this technique many times. Also use guitar strings. Peel off the outside coil and used the inside wire.
Also showing the failure those few times, helps us relate better. Good lesson.
I agree with the other. Really good to see you break it a couple of times and then get it spot on. I’m ibdoired and will be giving this a go 👍
Good luck!!
Great tutorial my friend, it was very helpful. I cannot master the stretching of a sprue to make antennas. But when I do get a good stretch I use them for antennas, and they make excellent weld seams. Kudos to you Hank... Cheers.
Cheers! Thank you - it's a great trick to have in your arsenal for sure 👍
This is also a great way to make your own weld beads if you want to add more detail to some kits.
Stretch the sprue, cut to size, glue in place with extra thin cement then use the tip of an old hobby blade to make the weld texture.
A very cool idea! I haven't tried it myself - will have to give it a go 👍
Modelling and a Guinness sounds like a perfect match
I'd agree with ya on that one! 🍻
Good man yourself, proper refreshment
Twelve and a half minutes on how to stretch sprue....amazing.
I can't tell if this is a sarcastic comment or not? But hey, like I said in the video - I wanted to do it in real time to show everybody that you'll probably screw it up once or twice. It's a pretty simple technique, but it takes some practice 👍
I like to think this comment is tongue-in-cheek. I mean who else but model nerds like us would be even watching it in the first place!
Very cool can't wait to try it...Thanks
Thanks for watching! Good luck 👍
That's going to work great!
It's a fun little trick! 👍
Nice!
what an enjoyable video, way better than some 70 yr old guy with a mic from 2006 talking loudly in a poorly lit room!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Good video. I have stretched spurs before for seams but old guitar strings for antennas on 1:35 scale armor and the stretched for 1:48 aircraft.
I use guitar strings sometimes as well! They're a good option, too.
It's good... No rush and ta da... Antenna. Well, like a drink beer 🍺,no rush... Good job on the end! Deserves beer ... Cheers bro...🍻🍻🍻...
Haha for sure - cheers 🍻
Thanks for showing the failures also. Other people make it seem like they get it right from the first try, which is not the case.
I'm glad you appreciated! It's all about practice 👍
great tutorial
Thanks very much! 👍
I use steel guitar strings cut to length. You can quite a few from each string. You can buy these separately and different thicknesses too from most music shops. Best of all they're pretty cheap
I like using guitar strings as well!
And if you partially strip the wound strings, it looks like the spring base.
I use a candle stick in a holder, I think I have more control with the plastic that way. It is worth playing around with this technique, I have a small collection of abstract art of molten sprue shapes and colors. Practice makes perfect, or good enough.
A good suggestion - thanks!
thank you for the video ;)
Thanks for watching! 👍
I found the best way it to push them together while you're melting and then pull when they start collapsing into each other
I use black thread that I dope with glue for my balsa planes. Then I add split shot weights to the ends so it's hangs straight and hang to dry.
Oh interesting! That's a cool technique 👍
Try 0.25 carbon fibre rod,you can curve it,its a go to for me,I dont have people trying to touch my kits as I dont display,however I would use piano wire otherwise lol
Hi Hank. Why not do “ here’s one I made earlier “.
Only joking. That’s was brilliant. Need some for my StugIV. Thanks for sharing
Another great video. But you need to let us know what brew you are featuring! Ha....looks delicious. Now I am wondering what brew pairs best with sprue stretching...😁 Can't wait to see the finished project. Best from north of Buffalo.
Thanks very much! And haha I suppose you're right - cheers! 🍻
Tea light 🕯️🕯️ work excellent
For sure! 👍
G'day Tank, That was a good tutorial. My problem with making antennas with sprue material is that, although they display a realistic 'whippiness', as antennas, the stretched sprue is way too brittle. It's OK if you make the antenna this way and pose your tank then don't handle it. It's been my experience that even careful handling can result in the sprue accidentally snapping.
Using stretched sprue on aircraft models is even worse. Model aircraft tend to be handled more often than armour or trucks, etc. Tanks, generally, just sit there.
Aircraft are often picked up to look at the underside, especially if you're showing a model to a friend.
In either case, over time, your models will need dusting, unless you keep yours in closed display boxes. Dusting is the 'natural enemy' of stretched sprues. Sooner or later they will snap off. Once I used a spray can of compressed air to dust my models. The air pressure coming out of the can actually blew a 'sprue antenna' in half.
Don't get me wrong. Stretched sprue material is fantastic for tiny details that are, preferably, glued to models to simulate fine wiring or tiny tie-down points or little weld joints etc., but
'stuck up in the air', they are asking to be broken.
Alternatives, apart from buying expensive aftermarket antennas, that have worked for me are thin lengths of woven cotton thread laid out on cooled candle wax and then painted or sprayed with fast setting glue. Once dried the thread can be easily taken off the wax, gently cleaned up and then spray, or airbrush, painted. This method also works with platted strands of 'EZ-Line' that don't need painting if you have the colour of Line that suits an antenna.
These still have a certain 'whippiness', not quite as much as the sprue material, but they will never break.
Or if you find a radio/electronics supply store you can get extremely fine wire that is sold by the metre or foot. Several dollars will buy lots of ultra-thin wire, more than enough to make dozens of antennas or to use as fine wiring in, say, aircraft wheel wells, cockpits, on landing gear struts, in naval aircraft folding wing parts etc.
Thanks, Tank, for this video. Cheers, Bill H.
lol i learned this from the instructions for tamiya tank kits back in the day...
the way i do it is to hold one end and wait will it starts to bend by itself, then pull.
with some practice you can get good at this to where you can kind of aim for a particular thickness.
I make mine out of the ties from freezer bags, just melt or scrape the covering off and instant metal aerial!
The only reason to use stretched sprue in my view is to keep it plastic. But it is just so easy to go to a craft/dollar store and walk the craft section for wires, or electrical for electrical wiring that has multi-strand wires. Metal requires a different glue, but considering the amount of after-market items that are needing cyanoacrylates already, that isn't much of a downside.
Yeah wire antennas can be great, but just wanted to share this technique with folks who might not know about it. It's a great tool to have up your sleeve! 👍
You had me at brews.
I'll take it! Cheers 🍻
Some Tamiya kits use plastics\ series when heated release toxic fumes. These series are labeled and annotated in the instruction manuals. Don't use these spaces for any heating\stretching purposes.
Good point!
Yay done it first time 😂
Nice!!
It took me many times to get it that long 😂🍻
Haha practice makes perfect! 👍
Like you said, it works better when the flame is closer to the sprue...
Yeah it's a little easier with a smaller candle 👍
Easier way: Use black bristels from a plastic brush or broom you can buy in every supermarket. Maybe you even have one at home already or in your car (snow brush). 😉😁
Fix the bristle with superglue and that`s it. They are flexible and bendable and won`t break. 😜
Great vid! What’s your stout of choice?
Thank you! This was a Guinness... can't go wrong! 🍻
Loose that damb candle n get a lighter on it while turning the sprue rod round when it starts to fold on itself pull it slowly it'll go for ages! But get trid of the candle this mist be the most occurred way ever of trying to stretch sprue for weld beads or antennas but better to use a bit of guitar string or 0.5 brass rod for antennas! Sherman antennas are cool in the aftermarket section with them being 3 peice they have lovely screw connections in the set's it just make the Sherman pop with the brass antennas!
I've used guitar strings in the past as well - they work great 👍
what kit is that sherman. i have been looking for a good cast hull sherman in 1/35 for some time, none seem to be available anywhere i normally shop
Good question! The one in the thumbnail is Asuka's M4A1 - I picked mine up at spruebrothers.com... they've usually got a pretty good assortment of Asuka kits 👍
I use dressmaking pins.
Maybe I'll add beer next time I try that. Last time (also my 1st) was a frustrating failure.
Give it another go! Practice makes perfect 👍
🍻🍻😎
👍🍻😁
Ever try treehouse brewery stouts and or IPA's
I have! Treehouse makes good stuff 🍻
I think it would be smarter to use a tea light without a candle case because you have more control to move the part around.
Fair enough! I just used what I had handy, but good call on the tealight.
Drink (a lot) more to get it to work first time. Pro tip for ya. Cheers.
Ha! Fair enough... cheers to that 🍻
I stopped using sprue because it bends so easily and you will have to replace them. I now use Guitar strings for antennas.