Thanks for the replies guys - there's a lot of good information here!

I just raided my wife's sewing box and found some "cotton wrapped polyester button and carpet thread" which I cannot break by hand, and some straight nylon upholstery thread, which is also impossible to break without cutting though my hand. I think for the first time out I'll give 'em a whirl (sorry for the bad pun). As for line length, what do ya'll recommend? I'm thinking 30-35' - sound about right?

It's kinda neat being able to say that so far, I have $0 in the project. The kit was a gift, the glues and paints I already had on hand and the engine was put together outta my "spares" box... (It's a Golden Black Widow Bee which runs rather well and consistently.)

As for handles, I have three to choose from... I'm guessing if I swap out the leads on the center handle in favor of something lighter, that will be my best bet, yes?

Again, thanks!

-Joe