Where can I find HO scale flat metal weights that look similar to this?
You could purchase them from Athearn’s parts department.
Scroll through this list and you can find them. There will be two sizes – Caboose weights and box car weights.
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Parts/Default.aspx
Or start going to flea markets and train shows and purchase junk rolling stock so you can strip the weights out of it.
Adair Shops has a line of weights to fit several manufacturers products. The weights are made as replacements for factory weights and are heavier than the factory weights.
Adair Shops is listed in the Walthers Wishbook or www.Adairshops.com.
Loews/Home Depot sells rolls of a heavy roof flashing that is lead like and cuts and bends very EZ. You can make any size weights you need from it.
You could also use pre-drilled steel strapping. This can be found at many large home improvement stores. Mine was about $10 for a 4’ length.
I think what I’d do with this material is cut off a carefully measured inch, weigh it, and determine from there what length you need to cut.
If you’re a DIY type you can always make some clay molds, melt down some lead wheel weights and cast your own.
A good plumbing suppy house can get lead shower pans. It’s about 1/16 thick, and cuts with scissors. It’s heavier than steel, and much easier to work with. You can use two sided tape to attach it with, or do what I do and use a small spot of silicone sealer to glue them in place.
Rotor
If you know an Electrician have him save some entrance panel knockouts. Every time I install a panel I save them. The round knokouts make good tank ends etc, etc, etc.
The rectangular one can be cut up for whatever, even steel road plates for construction sites. Paint rust.
Jules
When I was young, my dad would bring home KOs from panels and Junction boxes. I used them as (play) coins among other things. I guess I need to start saving them for the grandson now.
Good ideas Jules. I was lucky enough to find some old sheet lead about 3/64th thick. It cuts with scissors and makes great weights. As was said above roof flashing and shower pans should work too.
Karl
I scrap most of the steel weights that come with a kit as the undertrack magnets on the layout are attracted to them. Instead, I prefer to use the lead flashing already mentioned, which can be cut to any size.
I also picked up an old set of kitchen scales, so I can weigh all of the car parts together - too light and the car comes off the track, too heavy and the loco can’t pull a very long train.
As a general rule I go just a bit heavier than the NMRA guide which, I think, is 1oz per 1 inch of car length.
Jon
Where the weight can be hidden I use pennies glued down with ACC. IIRC, it’s 5 pennies to the ounce.
Thank you for the references. I purchase the ones from Home Depot.
Some in this topic are no longer alive; then I noticed the dates. Another thread resurrected from the dead 9 years past.
To make matters worse, it was revived by the same guy who started the thread 9 years ago. Better late than never! He finally found what he was looking for. [(-D]
Rich
Amazon sells lead sheets in various sizes and thicknesses. I have a sheet 1/8" thick and cut it to fit with scissors.
Rolls of thin sheet lead are easily found on eBay with free shipping.
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-Kevin
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I also use pennies as even a steel washer of similar size costs several cents. Virtually every material modelers use to add weight is more expensive than using pennies.