250BOB Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I have found this list of chain sizes on the Eileens Emporium website....which of them is the most suitable for making some 3 link couplings. http://www.eileensemporium.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=31&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 None of them. 3-link couplings have links of a different shape to normal chains and you need to either wind your own from wire or buy them in from Exactoscale if you want the correct size or from the other makers if you want them a bit bigger and hence easier to use. Drawings etc here. Regards Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 Slightly more detailed RCH component guide here: Note the centre link is narrower. I wish I had one of these to etch a fret of Instanters off though I could size Keith's link I suppose.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250BOB Posted July 3, 2010 Author Share Posted July 3, 2010 Many thanks guys. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 So does anyone know where I can get some links from, I have a pack of Smiths 3-links but notice that the Bachmann hooks work well and the smiths chain will fit. I could buy a load of smiths 3 links, but it seems a bit wasteful if all I need to do is fit chains to the existing hooks ...... TIA Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 So does anyone know where I can get some links from, I have a pack of Smiths 3-links but notice that the Bachmann hooks work well and the smiths chain will fit. I could buy a load of smiths 3 links, but it seems a bit wasteful if all I need to do is fit chains to the existing hooks ...... TIA Ian http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=541_542_543&product_id=3946 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 hmmm, thanks for that, but that works out more expensive that buying Smiths and throwing away the hooks/springs/pins. I need 32 wagon's worth, that means 4 packs of either. Including postage that's £27 from C&L or £23.70 for the Smiths from eBay. As I already have two packs of Smiths it's a bit of a no brainer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I take it that this is in 4mm? I simply make my own from tinned copper wire wound round a former made from scrap brass - I think it's about 3mm x 1.5mm so the resulting links are dlightly larger - with the corners rounded. If you wind up a coil you can then cut the links with a Stanley knife or similar. The wire is scrap from telephony, the brass is leftover etch so the links are more or less cost free. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 good idea! I've got some gun blue too Just need to make sure I have some wire the right diameter, the Smiths links clip into the Bachmann hooks perfectly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 ... the Bachmann hooks work well ... My experience on a 40 wagon van train: they do - at first - but then pull out of the bufferbeam. So you cement them back in. After a couple of years those at the ends of the train begin to break (it is hauled in both directions) which terminated the experiment. Conclusion: metal drawhooks required for this duty on my operation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 Summat only has a rake of 10, on the flat, split into two sets of 5 with standard Bachmann couplings with BK uncoupling mods on the outer ends of each set of 5. Can't see wear being a problem Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 15 amp fuse wire - just shy of 0.5mm. It's a good idea to solder the links closed too in order to save maintenance later on. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 Just measured some "bell wire" - I have a drum of it, guess what, 0.5mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Just measured some "bell wire" - I have a drum of it, guess what, 0.5mm Almost certainly the same stuff I have lengths of. I really have no idea why more people don't make their own links; it must be one of the quickest, easiest, modelling tasks there is! I make up couplings in batches as a timesaver; they have their own clearly labelled tin so I can just fish out the appropriate coupling for whatever I'm building rather than having to fire the soldering iron up specially, mucking around with metal black and so on. Just the thing for a damp evening. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 28, 2013 Here's my first "proof of concept" coupling - I had a scrap of wire handy, enough for 4 links. A bit rough and ready, the former is a bit wide, so the links are a bit too long compared to the Smith's ones. and the Smith's links on the Bachmann hook for comparison Not bad for a first go though and as you say, free Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Welome to the world of...........err.............modelling! Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Any use? http://www.wizardmodels.co.uk/FrameSetShop.php?DM=wizabout steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcm@gwr Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Any use? http://www.wizardmodels.co.uk/FrameSetShop.php?DM=wizabout steve IMHO, his wire, at 0.37mm, is too thin, (see post 3) it should be 0.5mm (= 1.5" in 4mm scale). Also, although they are pre-made, you would still need to solder them. They are not designed for actually pulling wagons, just for activating the uncoupling system. I just picked some 0.5mm florists wire (silver) from HobbyCraft for £1.99, a sort of roll on a stick. I had to check it was magnetic, as I am using it replace the Wizard supplied stuff for S & W couplings. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 One thing Andrew (Wizard Models) does sell is an etch (brass) of Instanter links. If you're making up your own couplings, then these are very useful. I can recommend them. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 hmmm, thanks for that, but that works out more expensive that buying Smiths and throwing away the hooks/springs/pins. I need 32 wagon's worth, that means 4 packs of either. Including postage that's £27 from C&L or £23.70 for the Smiths from eBay. As I already have two packs of Smiths it's a bit of a no brainer In the past, I have obtained both normal and Instanter Smith's links from Mainly Trains, even though they weren't listed; might it be worth contacting Smith's direct to see if they can help you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 30, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2013 I've got all the wagons sorted now with home made links made from 0.5mm copper wire wrapped round a plasticard former 3.75mm wide, 1mm thick I had to replace one hook with a Smiths as it had got bashed and would not allow the home made link to "click" into place. It is possible that I will have to replace more in future, but I am happy to wait and see. Paul Chetter has added a "wagons picking up" clanking sound effect to my 8F and Standard Eight sound chips - so I can play at Peterborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagonman Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 One other line of attack http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-GAUGE-3-LINK-COUPLING-CHAIN-TO-COMPLETE-10-WAGONS-/321198382686?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4ac8ea5e5e Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Traxson Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 So does anyone know where I can get some links from, I have a pack of Smiths 3-links but notice that the Bachmann hooks work well and the smiths chain will fit. I could buy a load of smiths 3 links, but it seems a bit wasteful if all I need to do is fit chains to the existing hooks ...... TIA Ian Only just noticed this post Ian. Some years ago Slaters supplied me with their steel links in bulk, which at the time I was using for door handle lops in 7mm narrow gauge. I bet they would still supply if asked, they're pretty good like that. Phil T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted September 3, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2013 Thanks both - always good to have a backup plan (or two!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.