Hello everyone,

I want to add some extra details to my model. I was told that using wire is a pretty common practice.

Where can I get wire suitable for plastic models? What other materials do people use for added elements?

Just about any wire can be used if it's the right size. You can get it from discarded electronics among other places.

Stretched sprue is another option.

You can use pretty much anything that fits your needs. I have used pen bodies, half of a plastic easter egg, clothing buttons, various sizes of wires and cord, wooden dowls, wooden balls, legos, strainer screen, etc., etc., ...

For wires, I recommend thin fuse wire or solder. Go to an electronics supply store (Radio Shack in the US is great) and look for 0.020 or thinner solid core solder. You don't want the rosin core type.

Well, I lost the machine gun from the machine gun port on my revell 1:72 panther ausf G. What's solid enough to replace it? Will a sanded down piece of sprue do fine?

Coming back to the wire.. Do I use just the wire or should I add some putty to it to make it more solid? I can't believe that it won't be brittle enough to break when touched...


EDIT: Sorry for asking such dumb questions, I'm new to all of this Is there some literature that you can recommend on the subject or some websites?

Use you imagination be creative .

I would use a small pin, nail, plastic rod, or something along those lines to replace a gun barrel. The wire will be too soft and bend too easily.

The needle from a syringe or some brass tubing. You will have
to match approx. diameter. These are hollow so the effect will be convincing.

Cheers,
Joe

Sound advice, thanks everyone!