Speaking of stringing things out, does anyone still twist their own model ropes for sailing ship models from string? I've a brief how-to writeup of building a miniature rope walk for the purpose, but don't know whether anyone actually does that anymore. _________________ Charles I built a rope making machine last year which can take anything from cotton to twine, but my favourite is the cotton string sold by B&Q. Being a natural substance it twists into great ropes for knots. I based it on a design by a friend who built his as he couldn't find rope suitable for the steam tug boat he was building from scratch. The main reason for building it was for scouts. However we did have it on the IDSME stand at Sandown Park last December and it went down a treat - particularly for the boaters. Lots went away having made their first rope on the device. I would be very interested in your miniature rope walk. Might be another suitable project for scouts. Peter Cathcart MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.