I’m not optimistic about this, but does anyone know of any model chain that is smaller than 40-links-per-inch chain? This is for HO and the 40’s scale out too big, for use as the most standard chain size. I’d even consider plastic imitation chain if it was smaller.
The smallest I could find was 20 links per inch, so if you can find 40, go for it!
I cannot imagine plastic being finer than metal.
Who manufactures the one that you are looking at? Maybe they make something smaller that can be found direct or from a different jobber. What do they call their chain. Maybe you can search under that name.
A cursory search showed up 40/" as the best you could get.
ROAR
Builders in scale makes a 40 link chain. I have 2 of them. I have never seen anything smaller.
MIKE
Go to your local craft store (Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, etc.) look in the jewelry making section. You should be able to find fine metal chain in gold, bronze, and black.
So far looks like the smallest commercial hobby chain seems to have been Traincat 52 Links per inch, but unfortunately that seems out of stock. The 40 lpi (from A-line for example) seems to be the usual small chain size used for models.
I’ve hunted around the costume jewelry section at Michaels in the past, and nothing seemed smaller than 20 lpi, which is OK for really heavy chain, but out of scale for normal chain (that’s about a scale 4.5 inch link)
Hello,
I have 40lpi chain by A-Line & Detail associates, & maybe a couple others.
However to me it is not the size but the type of links that bug me.
These chains have round links & I would like a more eralistic flat oval link shape, I have seen that by Precision Scale & on KaDee kits, but the lpi sizes are larger & quite out of scale.
Thanks,
Look at www.shapeways.com there are people 3D printing really small, really nice scale chain.
I just looked at the website you linked and I see they have a etched brass 72-links-per-inch chain, but based on the lousy picture, it looks more like motorcycle chain to me. http://store.traincat2.com/72-Link-Per-Inch-Chain/
I have converted the round links to oval ones. I put a wire bent to a hook shape in my vise, put the chain on it, and pull just enough to keep the chain straight. With a small pair of pliers I squeeze each link into an oval shape. This also reduces the apparent size of the chain.
Mark Vinski
The smallest chain which I’ve been able to locate is 40 links per inch. Detail Associates, A-Line, and Builders in Scale all offer it. While it’s too big for HO scale, it “suggests” the chain which is used on under-car brake gear:
If you need something smaller, there is etched-brass chain HERE
Wayne
Which specific brand is that one? It does look slightly too large, but not grossly so. Also, it looks like those are oval links, the OP indicated the 40 link per inch chain he looked at had more round links. Or did you flatten them out yourself?
–Randy
Randy, the chain shown could be any one of the three which I mentioned. I have bought all three at various times and they’re stored in the same container: whichever one slides out of the tube first is the one which is used, as they all appear the same.
The links on all are round. Once the chain is secured at both ends, I place the car upright, then use the tip of a #11 blade to apply a bit of ca along the length of the slightly-drooping chain. If it fills or partially fills some of the links, they may appear somewhat oval once paint is applied. My cars cycle on and off the layout and into their boxes and the ca prevents the chain from drooping the wrong way while they’re in storage. I have too many cars to bother checking if the chain has returned to the proper position when the car goes back in service, as the non-glued chain can sometimes catch on itself and hang-up.
Wayne
I found a discussion/review of some 50 link/inch chain here: http://www.track-link.com/reviews/2165.
Here is a link to the suppliers website: http://www.floatingdrydock.com/more.htm#CHAIN. They list two items, Sm 7003 and SM 7004, which are theoretically 50 and 45 links per inch.