Model Train Journal

I am looking for a good online source for Brass rod, thin, around 20 gauge or 0.5 mm, for guy wires for a caboose smoke stack and other things like locomotive whistle cords, etc. Not soft wire, but more stuff so it won't be easily deformed after I bend it.

Yes, that's right, an online source for stiff rods.

About 0.025"?

Look at Tichy - sells phosphor bronze wire

https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/ta ... fault.aspx

.5 mm is .020". This is a standard K&S size, for brass wire. For stiffness, however, you may want to go to their music wire. K&S is available at hobby shops, hardware stores, and some lumber places.

For maximal stiffness, you'll want to use a worn-out or broken drill bit. Harbor Freight offers a pack of small drill bits (.5 mm - 3 mm). You get five .5 mm bits in each 30 bit pack.

OnlineMetals.com has some of this stuff online. I've not seen it listed by brand name, however.

Thanks guys. I searched k&s brass rod and found 1/32 in by 12" rods. I think those will do fine.

I am converting an mth n6b to and offset cupola version. The smoke stack was wired to the cupola, but with the moved cupola the stack has guy lines down to the roof. So I need to make one or more and the one on there is now too short.

I'd post pics of the progress but it says the board's attachment quota has been reached and won't allow me to attach pics. Not sure what that means. I suppose members can only post so many pics per some unit time. Idk.

pennsy484 wrote:Thanks guys. I searched k&s brass rod and found 1/32 in by 12" rods. I think those will do fine.

If the 1/32 (.031") is too thick, keep in mind K&S does sell .020" round brass rod.

pennsy484 wrote:I'd post pics of the progress but it says the board's attachment quota has been reached and won't allow me to attach pics. Not sure what that means. I suppose members can only post so many pics per some unit time. Idk.

For your projects, best to upload your photos to a photo hosting site. I use Flickr. Then, simply hotlink them to our board.

I buy this stuff by the pound. Clover House has been quite good lately. K&S was the only game in the olden days, but is getting pricey and sporadic.

bob turner wrote:I buy this stuff by the pound. Clover House has been quite good lately. K&S was the only game in the olden days, but is getting pricey and sporadic.

Actually, I've used Detail Associates brass wire and small flat stock for many years but it seems to have dried up and blown away.

Clover House is indeed a viable alternative for brass wire.