Dr. Snuts, M.D. wrote:...guitar and base strings make great scale ribbed tubing....
Hey I have used guitar strings too though it is a "ribbed" effect and not a "braided" one. You see more of the ribbed line in Mecha and the braided in military or auto models. I use both types of hose myself depending on what looks good to me for the kit.
Every time I change strings on my guitar (which is not too often of late) I keep those old ones for my spares box. The unwrapped strings E, B and G are great for hard brake lines and rigid tubing of the sort. I use the thinnest E string for a super glue applicator and for clearing the nozzle on the tube of glue as well.
There are all kinds of uses for guitar strings like the ones mentioned and for cutting clay, garats and oh yeah music.