Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Detail Work, Rigging, Fittings, Figures Etc. => Topic started by: SteveJo on December 07, 2018, 11:12:07 am

Title: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: SteveJo on December 07, 2018, 11:12:07 am

Trying to finish a Caldercraft Mortar Vessel Convulsion kit - basically no instructions for the rigging.


Plan sheet 5 of 7 shows a 'mouse' on a stay but gives no ideas how to make one - there's no mouse on the parts list


(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2018/12/07/mouse.jpg)


Any ideas on how to make a mouse - 'good enough' is good enough


Thanks

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: dreadnought72 on December 07, 2018, 11:24:17 am

At that scale I think I'd simply wrap thread around the stay, pva'd as you go, until you get to the shape you want. Thread the same colour as your stay rope.


Andy

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: SailorGreg on December 07, 2018, 11:24:31 am

At full scale, the mouse was often a piece of rope work that formed a big bulge, a bit like a monkey's fist, probably around a solid core of wood or other material.  For modelling, a big knot would suffice, unless you want to be particularly keen and try some fancy ropework at 1:64 scale? No, me neither!  You could try one of these (https://www.animatedknots.com/indextypestoppers.php).
Greg

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: SteveJo on December 07, 2018, 02:02:02 pm

Thanks for quick replies.


I don’t seem to have the skill to wrap one thread around another and get any kind of neat result.  Tried and got something close after a few goes and then cut the stay off instead of the mouse end  :((   Ho hum.


Anyway drilled, shaped and painted a little bit of dowel, it’s good enough.


Thanks again

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: Arrow5 on December 07, 2018, 02:54:17 pm

Would a very small glass bead work ? Craft shops usually have a selection of sizes. Try Hobbycraft or similar.   I used hundreds to simulate rivets on my large scale HMS Invincible funnels, only to find later that said funnels were welded  >>:-(

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: Steam Boat Willie on December 07, 2018, 07:14:48 pm

Lead shot fishing line sinkers, ready cut to go around the line.  Crimp it on with a pair of pliers and a spot of cyano.

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: SteveJo on December 09, 2018, 01:12:33 pm

Thanks - the beads were a good idea - other half had some small wooden ones that worked fine.
My dowels would have been ok but I glued them in the wrong place and couldn't be bothered to do it all again!



(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2018/12/09/mice.jpg)
Next question to follow shortly in a new thread  :-)


Thanks again

Title: Re: Help please - how do I make a mouse (for rigging)
Post by: edinsteve on April 13, 2020, 09:36:14 pm

The method I used was to first turn an egg-shaped piece from a dowel pre-drilled in a drill chuck then coat it with a piece of fabric elastoplast to give the appearance of rope covering. Then just paint it black.