[Lynn O. Doughty]

I've been asked by a couple of you about how I do the ropes for my cowboys. It's twisted 18 guage galvinized wire. I buy the 4-stand twisted coils at Lowes and then pull off a length, remove one wire and then chuck it into the drill and run till it looks good. After that I dip it into gun blueing so it's colored dark, after it dries I spray it with a clear varnish so the black doesnt come off. It can be tricky putting it on the carving as the wire is stiff so be careful. Once it's on the carving I paint it with acryllic's. That's it! Hope it helps.

[Anthony Filetti]

...wow, didn't know it was so involved!!

Thanks for sharing Lynn.

[Thomp]

thanks Lynn,
I guess the gun bluing helps the paint to lock better to the galvinized metal due to some acid-chemical action?

thanks again and kutos a job well done.

[Mark N. Akers]

Great details on your techniques, thanks alot Lynn.

[wood-whittler]

lynn,


do you double the wire and then chuck it in the drill so it will twist on itself ? and is this bare wire you are using or does it have insulation that you strip off ?


thanks for the help

bart

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I've gotten several question on making wire rope so here goes a more complete explanation.

At Lowes, Home Depot, etc.you can buy a coil of galvanized wire that is composed of 4 strands of 18 guage wire. Cut off a length of approx. 40-50 scale feet to your figure and if it's an 8 inch figure unwind 2 strands...over 8 inches use 3. The wire is also twisted together and that is GOOD. Hook one end in the vise and the other in your drill and spin away keeping it taunt till it looks like rope. To be continued.....

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Get a bottle of gun blueing and pour it into a bowl. take your rope and run it through the blueing. it will turn dark brown. Let it dry..might take a while. I lay it across the stove and it dries pretty quick. Spray it with a mat finish..I use Testors Dul-coat. Once dry run it through a rag to get off most of the remaining loose brown stuff. Spray it again. thread it through the carvings hands being careful as it's stiff. Once in place a small drop of epoxy might be needed to hold it in place. Dry-brush it with a lighter color and your done. Sounds involved but it's really not. Check out a photo of a cowboy with a rope to make sure you get the rope threaded correctly. Good Luck!!

[wood-whittler]

lynn,

thanks for the explanation i see how it is done now. thanks for the help


bart