Wiring Engine

I have got to a stage in modelling when I wanr to take my engines to the next level. I am only fifteen and live in Australia, so it is a bit hard to get those models oil lines etc. I was wondering if anyone knew a very cheap way of wiring the engines. I was think of using actual wiring that my brother has for his train modelling but I don't know how to secure it???

Howdy from Texas!

Your brother's train wire might be just right. Compare the thickness of the wire against the engine and see if it looks right for spark plug wires, or radiator hoses, or such. If you are lucky, it will already be the right color. Bare wire looks good for fuel and brake lines.

The easiest way is to drill a very small hole where you want the wires to go. Place a very small drop of super glue onto the end of the wire and carefully insert it into the hole. When the super glue has cured the wire should be secure enough to bend a bit and to connect to the next part of the engine.

The trickiest part is doing distributors. They are very small and it can be easy to make a mess of things here, so practice on some spare pieces first.

This is the simplest way to get it done and should be a good starting point for a beginner. However, for more advanced and more realistic appearances, there are plenty of people on this forum that will tell you their techniques as well. Also, I believe there is a tutorial or two somewhere on this site, but I don't remember where.

Good Luck!

Hey!! i'm just down the road from you on the Gold Coast!

You can get the correct wiring from online stores

http://www.thepartsbox.com/

or off ebay

sometimes i go to Spotlight:rolleyes: ( with my girlfriend:uhoh: )

and have a look thru their craft/bead/scrapbook section

otherwise try you brothers wire see if the scale looks ok

just a drop of super glue will hold it to where you want it

we'd love to see some of your work!

Thanks for the tips

I haven't got much on my USB at school right now but I have got one of WIP's (now finished)

countach79, do you now of the shop, BR Models and Merchandice at Helemsvale. I think it is the best shop for well priced models in South-East QLD

F.C

Thanks for the tips

I haven't got much on my USB at school right now but I have got one of WIP's (now finished)

countach79, do you now of the shop, BR Models and Merchandice at Helemsvale. I think it is the best shop for well priced models in South-East QLD

F.C
Nice lookin model!

yeah i was just at BR's the other day only got some styrene tho

It's good he had started stocking Tamiya.

I bought the XJ220, I'll put the pictures up this afternoon in the Completed projects section!!!

awesome can't wait!

found this too

might help you out a bit

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=260776

The cheapest way to wiring your engine without spending so much money. You wont believe how cheap it can be. After seeing how much those company charge for a 3" wire is STUPID ridiculous. Here my way. I buy those extension phone line 300 feet for 1.50. now if you cut inside there are 4 color wire. Red, Green, Yellow and black. As I watch tv I strip the whole 350' wire and cut them by every 5" and tied them up for future project. Remember there is 4 color and 350' now do the math. 350x4= 1,400 feet of wire for 1.50. Ok now for Boot!! I buy large coated paper clip at a $1.00 store and they come with 25 pcs. They come in all color. I stretch the clip, I take a Xasto knife slice the clip in the middle and pull each end. I have now a hollow tube and the phone wire fit right inside of it. A perfect fit. I spend $3.00 and I can wire 20 model. Go and buy both wire at a hobby store for 20 car..HECK NO.

The hobby industry sticks wire worth 2 cents in a package and charges $6 and it often doesn't even look very good! If you want to start detailing engines start saving scraps of wire from around the house. Every time you throw away an electrical item take it apart and snip the wire out of it. Even wire that looks way too big is often composed of smaller threads inside that may be perfect. The insulation can be used for radiator hose. The tiny motors in hard drives have winding wire that can be wrapped around a toothpick to make a throttle spring. You can paint bare wire if you first coat it with metal primer. Sometimes the plastic insulation on wire is too shiney but it can be dulled down with fine sandpaper to look just like neoprene rubber. Bottom line, scrounge. Ask people who repair things at work or school to save bits of wire for you. I never throw anything away without giving it a once-over for detailing materials. And I rarely buy anything for detailing.

For my bike kits in 1/12 I use vinyl fishing line. I use .2 mm for electrical wiring and larger diameter for clutch and brake lines (.4 and .6 mm). Line can be painted in any color you like using your basic acrylic paint.
/Joel

If you ever do a How to on throttle spring. please pm me. There is one here but the pic not clear. I aways wanted to see it done.