Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: BJH on September 05, 2007, 12:37:14 pm

Title: tubing for sail control lines
Post by: BJH on September 05, 2007, 12:37:14 pm

Hi

I am looking for a source of supply for some rigid plastic tubing to run sail control lines in, does anybody have any suggestions ?

The sort of thing I am looking for would be say 5mm diameter with 1 mm thick walls, and  be able to be bent to shape with the aid of a heat gun.

Thanks in advance.

BJH 

Title: Re: tubing for sail control lines
Post by: malcolmfrary on September 05, 2007, 01:41:40 pm

I have used silicone rubber tubing fron the aquarium shop for the straight-ish runs, with copper tube bent to shape for the u-bends.  Running rigging lines going round plastic corners had the effect of a saw blade, cutting into the plastic eventually.  I did se some plastic tubing about the size you were interested in at a B&Q some time ago, but I can't vouch for its bendablility, or even its existence at the momemt.  These stores have the habit of spotting model boaters who find something useful, and de-stocking the item immediately.

Title: Re: tubing for sail control lines
Post by: tigertiger on September 05, 2007, 02:02:01 pm

I have got 6mm internal diameter clear plastic tube. I did not use it on MJW but have seen it used on other scale sails.
As it forms a long curve there are no points of high friction.

In addition www.sailsetc.com do a nylon fairlead and the centre piece has a 6mm diameter. Perfect fit so goes through deck nicely onto tube.
See white fairlead on right in picture.

Title: Re: tubing for sail control lines
Post by: cbr900 on September 05, 2007, 02:48:31 pm

I use the inner tube (yellow over here) taken from the plastic control rods used by the model aircraft lot, works very well and can be shaped with a cigarette lighter and glued with almost any glue......


Roy

Title: Re: tubing for sail control lines
Post by: DickyD on September 05, 2007, 02:49:47 pm

Try this firm, more tube than you can shake a stick at.  O0

http://www.yellowcatshop.co.uk/shop/default.asp?clientid=14&gid=4dmod&viewstate=32769&tabcatid=3500126&subcatid=3500139