So I've tried many different types of thin wire, but they are hard to work with and easily snap. So far the only reliable bendy wire, are the twist ties found in figure packaging. The wire is thick enough to hold a shape, but thin enough to easily shape it. Plus the rubber veneer makes them very durable, and hard to snap.
The problem is, I've pretty much run out of the twist ties. Does anyone know where I could purchase some in bulk? And just to make it clear, I'M NOT looking for the cheap paper veneered wire you find on bread bags. Strong, rubber veneered twist ties.
Agreed, I did a sort of control test recently and the jeweler's wire (I got a roll of black coated copper for ~$3 I think) holds up much better than the plastic ties that hold a figure into the packaging do.
Jewlery or craft wire comes in so many gauges. Try a cart store. Ask them to show you the wires and explain what you want it for. Someone on hand Probubly has experience using it. They will help you determin if it's good for what you want to do. Also whenever I want to try something I play with it and make a mock up. A pice I am not invested in and would not cry if it failed. That's the best way.
yeah patraw had a great idea with the plasti-dip, they have a sprayable version which comes in clear. you can make it as thin or thick as you like, if you ever want to try that method.
Thanks Patraw. I actually think the wire I have might work. I did a test, and it seems the glue that initially bonds the wire to the fabric, becomes the rubber veneer. The problem may be solved
I was thinking about this some more the other day, and here's another idea that occured to me. While I know you said you don't want to use the bendy ties with paper on them, consider this: If you strip the paper off of them, and get yourself a canister of that rubber dip-it stuff, and give them a coating of that, you'd essentially be creating your own rubber-sheathed twist ties.
Check out Figure Realm's symbiote tendrils tutorials for an overview/how-to of the technique:
Well I'm using them to make a poseable cape, so the most I can do is double twist them, like a rope, but still they snap. I will try contacting companies though.
Yes, I've thought of that, but I'm sure it would take quite a while for me to accumulate a substantial ammount...
Maybe you could use some electrical wire instead. I have some wires that have a single metal core instead of many thin bit twisted together and it holds it shape really well and won't break easily. I don't know where exactly you can buy it but it would be easier to find than a place that sells twist ties.
I imagine toy companies have to buy them in bulk, so there must be a vendor that deals in them. Maybe try e-mailing some toy companies reps and asking them where they purchase them? That was always something I used to wonder about too when I used to use that kind of bendy wire on my larger figures. Have you tried wrapping several of them together into a cable? That helps with strength too.
Please wait...
Ask them to show you the wires and explain what you want it for. Someone on hand Probubly has experience using it.
They will help you determin if it's good for what you want to do.
Also whenever I want to try something I play with it and make a mock up.
A pice I am not invested in and would not cry if it failed. That's the best way.
I use it to make webbing for spidery customs, which you can see with my venom custom. You can bend and fold a lot without problems
But if not, I'll look into the rubber dip.
Check out Figure Realm's symbiote tendrils tutorials for an overview/how-to of the technique:
Yes, I've thought of that, but I'm sure it would take quite a while for me to accumulate a substantial ammount...
Hmm, that's also a possibility.
Thanks for your responses.