For modeling steel cable, don't use sewing thread—it has stray fibers that look ratty, especially after painting. Instead, use beading thread. This material is thermally bonded, so there's no fraying. Example product: Beadalon WildFire .006 inch (0.5mm) thick, in black, light grey and other colors. Available at Michael's and most craft stores.

Hopper Weathering Clinic
By Bill Mock
December 2009

Here is the first stages of weathering of my new BN [ ... ]

I've finally added as much plaster cloth as I expect I'll need, and have moved on to priming the base before painting it.  Priming made it look unfamiliar, [ ... ]

The sawmill has a permanent place in our hobby as an industry built in the sticks. The location of these structures usually is located far from civilization [ ... ]