Iv'e been trying to find places to purchase these fibers for Spruce tree making and also florist wire with not much luck (Colorado). Micheals was my first thought but the search says no. JoAnn's is no answer. I could use some suggestions. I have to drive long distances so I want to know where I can find the product first. Do you get florist wire at a florist? Doug
Michaels lists floral wire on their website, http://www.michaels.com/search?q=floral%20wire. I would think they'd have it at the store. Not sure what type of hemp you're looking for, but can't you use strands from that inexpensive ball of twine that you can get at the local hardware store?
Thanks Maxman, I must have used a wrong discription for the wire and I think 26 gauge might work for N scale when twisted. I'll look toward the twine idea. I'm going to have to make a couple thousand of these as time goes on and I want to have the product in place. I am also making the jig for this using a method shown in N Scale Railroading magazine article by Joe Warner, July/ August issue. I have also seen in the past, articles like this for HO and S and O scales using a drill to twist the wires. Doug
I made some very nice trees using floral wire, baling twine, a can of green spray paint and ground foam.
I was able to find floral wire at my local florest. It's not something they normally sell by the roll, they didn't seem quite sure what I wanted, even though they had several rolls of it. You might be able to get them to order some with their next order if they don't have a roll to sell you. Also found some at Reatore, a used "stuff" place. Look around at Michaels or JoAnne's, they may use a different name, but have what you want.
If there is a farm near you that uses baling twine, there's always plenty around. A roll of it would be way too much for what you need, just a few bales worth makes a lot of trees. I've got more than enough for all the modelers in the state (yours or mine). Problem is out in your part of the country they may do mostly large bales, which either use plastic twine or baling wire. Your hardware store may also carry some bulk twine or rope. A foot or two of it cut up into short lengths could be used. Not sure how the untwisting of the heavier rope would go.
EDIT: I'll add a little more. I used the twist the wire with the drill method, putting a cuphook in the drill to hold the wire. Either size wire should look OK in N scale, you don't see much of the wire when it's pushed into the foam or whatever. The bigger problem would be if you want to have the trunk show, then you would have to build it up with putty or somesuch. I have used my trees as stand alone or sticking up out of a hardwood forrest canopy, I see a lot of that around here.
Good luck,
Richard
My experience with Michaels suggests that they're not really in to internet sales. They want to get you into a retail store, so there are a lot more things available at their stores than you can find online. Their weekly coupon mitigates high priced items.
I'd recommend a trip to the local store. Mine carries both products you're looking for in the floral section. Of course, I drive right by on my way to / from work, so it's a piece of cake for me to stop in. Maybe not for you.
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Michael's is where I picked up several sizes of floral wire. Dirt cheap, too, IIRC. It's the the floral arrangements dept. here, too.
If you don't mind cutting your own fibers, find an ag-oriented big box and they will have lots to choose from, all the way from baling twine (maybe it's all plastic or wire these days?) to large diamter rope.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I finally drove to Michaels and did get some 26 gauge green floral wire. I did buy some hemp cord that is small but I think it's not right. I'm thinking now that H D sells that real big hemp rope that could be taken apart, spread out and the fibers used for making trees. Thanks for the replies. Doug
rgengineoilerI'm thinking now that H D sells that real big hemp rope that could be taken apart, spread out and the fibers used for making trees.
Just to avoid any confusion and potential embarrassment over terminology, it's probably sisal HD carries, but generically referred to as hemp. You folks in Colorado should start seeing real hemp products in the not too distant future, since famers there were allowed to plant it legally this year again for the first time since WWII. Those of us in less enlightened zones will have to continue to make do with the faux hemp for a little while longer.
I have also been in the market for floral wire and hemp fibers. Found floral wire at our local Hobby Lobby; found hemp twine at Michaels this weekend. The twine was a smaller diameter than I was looking for, but hopefully, it will separate into usable fibers.
I also got some hemp at Micheals but I don't think it will work right. This morning I drove to HD and found a small spool of Sisal twine. I cut pieces to a length I want and have seperated it. Will try it later in my jig. This looks better than the Hemp I got at Micheals. Doug
I suspect if you're having those troubles, it not real 100% genuine hemp, but one of several less suitable substitutes that are often referred to as "hemp" in the US. The real thing has mostly been unobtanium for a number of decades. People overseas get it and report good results in making trees with it, but they don't turn out quite the same with the shorter fibers we've been stuck with.
Update; I found and have tried 3/4" Manila rope at Lowes at $.49 a foot. It unravels well and after combing out makes a real nice Spruce tree using the bottle brush winding jig method mentioned on the first post. Have made nine now and getting better at it as I go. I gave up on finding Hemp and did not like the straightness of the Sisal after stretching it out. I have spray painted them with Krylon Camo Brown and will flock with Woodland Scenics foams. I also bought some spray Krylon different shades of green.
Doug
Doug,
I sprinkled the foam right on to the wet paint. If needed you can add some hair spray to strengthen the attachment or add more foam. I sprayed the paint and immediately put the foam on and have not had to use hairspray, that's a good backup though.
I was just in a Jo-Ann's an hour ago and they had both bags of Sisal florist wire.
Thanks Richard. I'll try that. Doug