Ship model rigging tools

[mklotz]

Rigging model ships involves maneuvering string-like "lines" around other "lines" and tying knots in almost totally inaccessible places. When I used to do this I made a set of tools to assist in the process.

All of the tools consist of large needles, suitably modified, and wired to bamboo cooking skewers. A liberal coating of two component epoxy secures the wired joint.

The needles are formed to the desired shape by heating with a small torch and bending with pliers. The forked ends are made by removing half of the needle's eye with a Dremel cutoff disk. Another very useful tool is a small sliver of razor blade epoxied to a skewer; it's used to cut lines that can't be reached easily with surgical scissors.

Although I no longer build ship models, I still find the tools occasionally useful for maneuvering wires in complex wiring harnesses.

[DIYer]

Thanks mklotz! We've added your Ship Model Rigging Tools to our Model Making category, as well as to your builder page: mklotz's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Ship Model Rigging Tools by mklotz

tags: string

[mklotz]

There's another use for these tools that I forgot to mention...

The two "tines" of the fork-like tools are perfect for picking up a tiny droplet of oil and holding it via surface tension while the tool is maneuvered into some dark recess where the oil needs to be deposited. Works for liquid glues and accelerator as well.

[Paul Jones]

Marv,
I like your fork-like tools for picking up and placing droplets of oil and glues. I have been using the very small sized #12 or #14 crochet hooks (needles) for this purpose but making custom fork-like tools would work better.
Thanks for the ideas, Paul

[lauren]

Hey I wish we had ideas like this when I was a kid getting into modeling