Scale Model Basics: How to stretch sprue for antennas and rigging

Stretched plastic sprue is one of the most fundamental model making skills. It's great for antennas, aerials, WW1 biplane rigging, naval ship rigging, and weld seams. And best of all - it's FREE and the quantities are virtually limitless! There is a knack to it and for any new modellers or anyone who has ever struggled to easily produce stretched sprue, the tips and tricks in this video tutorial will help you produce consistent, fast and fine plastic wire.

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[Zoydian]

I'm a newie and this is really helpful! It shows greatness when an experienced modeler doesn't forget the new starters, thanks Dave!

[jamdiversified]

The whole lighting it on fire and sticking it back together worked great for me, got a perfect "antenna wire" on my first try. I'd seen other videos where they just melt and stretch but mine always broke. It needed more FIRE!

[DustOffUH]

I'm 61 & been modeling since I was a kid. Never heard of doing this, so Thank You! In the past I've used sewing thread. This looks a good deal easier to work with than thread.

[craftpaint]

Stretching sprue is the perfect melding of man and art as you have to really feel the molten plastic's limits to make it work👌

[robertwallace]

I was today years old when I learned this technique for a Spitfire Model. Thanks!

[callumr]

Some how after 12 years of modelling I didn't know how to do this, so this was perfect. Cheers!

[technohaunt]

Dave, you're exactly correct. I"m a newbie and had no idea how to do that. After watching this and your wield video, I'm good to go on my first project.! I'll let ya know how it goes. Thank"s again for such great instructional guides.

[modecharlie]

So thats how you do it!. I have been building models for years and was never able to stretch sprue like this. I see what i have been doing wrong now. Thank you for this!

[Cannuck]

Dave,
outstanding video! followed your directions to the tee and produced my first set of rigging. I was sooo amazed at how easy it is. Looks so much easier than trying to do rigging with other mediums. Nice job!

[styrenehelp]

Petfect timing for this video as I'm not far off doing this for the first time ever.

[jjab]

Cheers Dave, you say it's basic modelling 101 and yet this is the first video that I can remember actually showing how to do it. So a big thank you goes out to you for taking the time out to show everyone how to do this. Well done mate and I am looking forward to learning more basics, so please keep making these videos, they are really great mate. Have fun,
Joe

[drlangattxdotnet]

Appreciate the basic techniques since I am new at modeling like this. I used to just glue all the parts together. Thanks

[ScaleMilitaryModels]

Very helpful, but Tamiya has spruces marked for stretching that won’t produce that black soot
There marked something like ps or pk?

[eliothowell]

Thanks for the video. Great to learn. Used successfully on Revel's Titanic 1/570 for the stack supports. I also have been stretching tines off of clear plastic forks.

[Epiphone]

I discovered this technique by accident as a kid by, quite naturally as kids do, mucking about with my model stuff and burning sprue. Every WWII jeep had giant whip antennas after that.

[TheNordus]

Looking pretty nice. Gotta disagree with the noxious fumes though. If you use tamiya sprues marked >PS< there will be no toxicity and barely any smell.

[ottonichols]

It's like you know what I need techniques for Dave. Crazy. Awesome video as always!

[Disgaustang]

thanks for the video, I searched this up after just trying to do it by taking a lighter to it lol

[travisjones]

So is it the faster you separate the sprues the thinner it gets?

[ryzenenjoyer]

I did this with revell sprews and it doesnt smell that bad, i do have a tamiya kit So ill compare them when i have time.