I’d like to put some grabrails/irons on some of my locos. What size and composition material should I use? How do I form these to the correct shape? I’m thinking of rails on mainly newer GE locos (AC4400CW, C44-9W, etc) in HO scale. What size bit will I need for a pin vise to drill the hole with and how should I adhere them to the shell?
Thanks in advance!
You can buy them, or if your cheap like me, you can make them out of an .012" guitar string.
I just used a pair of needle nose pliers to form mine. It’s a little trial and error to get the right size. I even made drop grabs that way.
Find a package of Details Associates #SY2202 Grab Irons. They are premade and come with instructions on how to install, including drill sizes. They would be listed on the Walthers website: http://www.walthers.com/
You’ll also need a set of mini drill bits and a pin vice to hold them. A teeny drop of CA glue will keep them on the shell.
Good luck!
The standard drop grab is 18" and they are available from several different suppliers. I use Detail Associates bulk pack # 2202 http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=grab%20irons&start=30 or the bulk pack of wire drop grabs from Tichey Trains. I use a #78 drill bit in a pinvise to drill the holes, a lot of people use a #80, I prefer to have a little more adjustment room and it’s also easier to insert the grabs in a #78 hole. Apply CA to the inside, (the glue will be drawn into the hole filling it up), and then trim the wires flush when the glue is dry and touch up with paint. You will also need some type of center punch, either a dental scribe or a homemade one made from a sewing needle or straight pin mounted in a piece of dowel.
If you’re new to this I wouldn’t try bending you’re own just yet, it takes a bit of practice to get consistent grabs, especially drop grabs with their extra 90’ bend. For H0 grab iron wire should be .012" diameter, also available from Detail Associates. You can order from Walthers or just get the product numbers and order from your LHS.
Thanks.
What do I need the center punch for?
ALSO …The Walthers catalog has a handy little template for drilling the holes spaced properly that is worthwhile. If I had it in front of me I’d tell you who makes it.
I presume he means if the hole is not prestarted (inside the shell - some are), then you need to make a small depression/guide hole to start drilling in, otherwise the drill bit tends to wander a bit and messes up the shell’s paint (or makes an offset hole).
Also I recommend some styrene strip of a thickness equal to how far you want the grab irons to stand out from the shell (spacers), so everything’s nice & even.
Dude, PICTURES!!! Thats a genius idea.
DUDE! Here ya go![:D]
I flubbed a couple of them, but this was my shot at it. Drilling the holes straight is a lot harder than making the grabs.