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It depends on the scale, of course. For larger scales, many use copper and blacken it with liver of sulfur. For smaller scales, the usual choice is shellacked acid-free paper strips painted black and glued to the block. While the shellac gives the paper greater strength, is is not really suitable for carrying the tension of the rig and is prone to tearing. Others use a strip of black plastic tape. The tape can be problematic because we have no idea of the archival qualities of the tape adhesive It won't do if it lets go in a few years.
Annealed steel wire works well. It is already black and as flexible as copper.
Hello Rob
For internally or externally stropped blocks I use thin copper strips cut from a sheet stock. What vessel are you building?
Allan
Clinker Boat 1:6 Scale Model Kit — Clyde Model Dockyard
This model kit allows you to construct a beautiful clinker-built wooden model boat. Based on Swallow from Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons , this model is perfect for radio control with a model outboard motor, or, with some modification, as an RC sailing model. It also makes for an impressiv
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1/6 scale clinker row boat
What’s the thickness of the copper?
Pretty much anything you want, from 0.001" upwards. (1/16" at 1:64 scale,,,, if my math is correct) I have no idea where to get it in the UK or Europe in general but hopefully another member from the UK will post a source. If you do a search do one for copper sheets and another for copper foil. The supplier I use here in the US offers both, but the thinnest sheets are much thicker than the foil.
Allan
Allan
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Maybe you could post some photos of the tools used for this strapping
I try to stay with suture scissors or scalpel. I switched to scalpels decades ago after too many Xactos rolled off the bench and a few times sticking in my leg.
Bending metal at our scales is easy so no special tools necessary. Brass can work as well as copper but if too thick can tend have some spring and cannot be blackened instantly like copper can with diluted liver of sulfur.
Allan
