Technique for securing a/c wiring with waxed string?

[dcollins103]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what the process and specification is for securing smaller aircraft parts (like wiring) with waxed string, typically used up to the 1950's?

Spec. of string?
Method of fastening it really tight?

Many thanks,

[Ross_McNeill]

Now there is a blast back to apprentice days..

The knots were locking so the lashing could be cut without it unravelling.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=o...page&q&f=false

Mostly waxed linen string, usually 1" spacing but different jobs called for different spacings.

BT used twine soaked in a rat/mouse anti chew compound.

Made your Friday chips taste funny at lunchtime!

Regards
Ross

[Bruce]

The string can be had from Adams Aviation IIRC, or perhaps from LAS.


Bruce

[dcollins103]

Thanks guys,

I'll get busy with some string now!

[|RLWP]

Hey, never mind that. A couple of pages down that Google book link there is information to make an Electric Rat Exterminator!

... when we pushed the button up in the shop the rat would be thrown two or three feet in the air and let out a terrific squeak.

Ahh, simple pleasures

Richard

[Ross_McNeill]

Yup,

The choice for apprentice test pieces was more exciting in those days.

I had to be content with a barn tool box, drill vice, footprint wrench, marine compound engine and a 1" wireframe/solder cube using the 1/4" gas solder bolt (that one made me the broken man I am today!).

Regards
Ross

[12jaguar]

Are you starting to wire up the Hornet Mr Collins?

[smirky]

I looked for a youtube video as it would be easier to explain but no luck
found this http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/
but I was taught to do these knots in the 1980s http://www.electronics-radio.com/art...oms-lacing.php formed by rotating the finger which has the lacing cord round it.

Need to twist it the right way so that it locks!

Waxed cord or tape stays put better than unwaxed

Need 3-4 x the length of the run in cord.

Straight bundles of cables will be stiff, twist them a bit if you need the cableform to bend.

[Anon]

An old (now deceased) ex-RAF friend of mine told me that wooden aeroplanes were held together with chewing gum and string.

Maybe this is the stuff he meant?

Anon.

[TerryP]

See attachments

[Mondariz]

Just wanted to say that it’s still used. I replaced every single wire in a number of Lynx helicopters and we tied most of them with string. It’s still cheaper and lighter.

Edit: we used clove hitch and variants of it.

[dcollins103]

Once again, this forum comes up trumps with even the tiniest detail of historic aviation!

Thanks,

[TerryP]

Here are the AP pages from which those pictures came. They don't help as far as string specification is concerned but I have found that for small electrical/electronic jobs then Dental tape is quite good!

[Cking]

Now there is a blast back to apprentice days.

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of the tread! I spent two weeks of my basic training doing this. Never done it since!

Rgds Cking

[Stan Smith]

For English aeroplanes you have a wide choice of specs. Try any of the following:-
BSS.F35 No1 braided flax cord
DTD.786 Cord 3
BSS.F34 Linen sewing thread No 18
BSS.F26 Linen 9ply
or as an alternative Poly-Fiber flat braided rib lace for American Airplanes

[JT442]

I should also add that it is not quite historic yet.... it is still being taught....

[TonyT]

You want chapter 11 page 65 onwards for all the info, however there is more prior to that

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...E?OpenDocument

This IS the FAA guide to all things aviation related and a lot of aircraft manuals simply refer you to this for any repairs.

[QldSpitty]

An old (now deceased) ex-RAF friend of mine told me that wooden aeroplanes were held together with chewing gum and string.

Maybe this is the stuff he meant?

Anon.

Heaps of nails and various grades of screws in our replica.