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Source for mini sized hoses, tubing, pipes.


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I tried to search but didn't find what I was looking for. I've been trying to locate something I can use for pipes hoses or tubing. I have admech stuff and am looking to convert some models.

 

Do the hobbyists here have a go to selection? Maybe brass rod or something?

 

Thanks for the help.

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For hoses 18g wire at home depot, cables you can go to a guitar shop, I didnt know sizes so I eyeballed and I dont know plasticard sizes. Haven't used them yet. And brass rods I can't remember off rip but honestly I would just take a piece with you and go down to the hobby store for that. Anything online I ended up searching brass rod for miniatures or plasticard for miniatures on Ebay or Amazon. Then find results and copies and paste that size in google and throw miniatures after that and usually you'll find something. It's what I did with magnets
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Depending on what the exact use is, and how big they need to be, you have a few options:

 

Guitar wire. You can just go to a guitar shop, and have a look through the wound strings to find the diameter you want. In fact, if it's somewhere that repairs guitars, and you explain what you want to them, they will most likely be able to just give you suitable used/broken strings for free. An alternative is to buy some pewter cast guitar strings like these from Dragonforge Design.

 

Brass wire. Sold in most modelling shops, and is easier to work with than steel wire.

 

Pre-made cables or bundled cables, in resin or pewter. Examples here from Dragonforge, and here from Zinge Industries.

 

Finally, you can try making your own from an epoxy putty (like Greenstuff). Tools like this one from Green Stuff Industries or this one from Green Stuff World are ideal for ribbed hoses of various types, but you can also just roll out the putty on a flat surface if you want smooth cables. Once these are all cured, you can cut and bend them to suit your needs. :smile.:

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I really misread that at first and thought you were looking for mini horses.....

 

I can second the recommendation for guitar strings. If you have a friend that plays you may get it for free but it's not that expensive for the amount you get if you buy it either. The E, A and D strings are typically just wire but the G, B and E strings are useful as they have the coiled texture you might want for pipes and hoses. Just mind your fingers as the ends are sharp after they are cut.

 

Not tried it myself but bass guitar strings might be good too if you want thicker wires/cables.

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If you're using guitar strings or anything steel, take care not to use your good sprue cutters/flush cutters/nippers. It will ruin them. Find an pair of cutters designed to cut hard metals.
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If you live near a music store where they string guitars or teach lessons, you can get guitar strings for free, just ask. Since, generally, you need a few centimetres per model at most, a couple strings can last a long time and the mix of gauges makes it easy to add variety.

 

That said, the thicker gauges require wire cutters and if you're trying to cut a small piece, the force required to cut it may send the piece flying - aim the small piece away from your face and ideally into something to catch it so it doesn't go ricocheting around.

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