By request, how I make ground throws out of brass

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
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I’ve mentioned my home made ground throws on a couple of threads, and some folks have asked for more information, so here goes.

These are a few shots of the finished product:

Pic of ground throw 1Pic of ground throw 2Pic of ground throw 3

I build these by first cutting pieces of channel and tubing to 1/2 inch long. For HO I like 5/32 tubing. Then I stack them on top of a piece of 1/2 inch X .040 flat stock and solder it together like this:

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Then I cut a diagonal slot half way through the tube, and then extend the slot straight down on each end using a small burr.

Next, I make the barrel. This is pieces of 1/8 and 3/32 tubing about 5/8 inch long and a piece of 1/16 tubing about an inch long. Slip them all inside of each other and solder them flush on one end. So the 1/16 tube sticks out:

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Thanks very much, Phil. Nice work, and the size seems right. It’s a great idea, one that I will attempt. I’ll save this and keep it for reference.

I appreciate your effort and time. [:)]

-Crandell