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 Posted - January 15 2015 : 9:26:18 PM
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I was at a local hobby shop today, picking up a Pro-Line AMC Javelin vac-formed R/C body I'd ordered, and thought about looking at some piano wire to make Tyco handrails. That store didn't have much small size in stock, but I got 0.032 " there. I hit an R/C car/airplane store later after work, they had 0.015, 0.020, and 0.025, which seemed in the right range.
After I got home, I pulled out some Tyco engines , a 630 Bicentennial, and a 2-axle switcher. Both have the same handrail wire size. Unfortunately it is an in-between size, which I think is 0.018 inch. The 0.015 is a bit small, and the 0.020 won't go in the hole.
On the up side, I searched on Piano wire on Google, and it pulled up Grainger as carrying even these small sizes, including the 0.018. There is one about 10 miles from me. I may call tomorrow to see if they have it in stock. about 1,000 feet for $18. I paid 49 cents for about 3 feet. The Tyco stuff looks like it's chrome plated, or maybe stainless? I can't say I've seen it rust, so not sure regular piano wire , which is carbon steel, is the best choice. Anyone have any idea what Tyco actually used for the wire?
Here's a couple pics of my wire selection and locos.
 
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 17 2015 : 1:45:45 PM
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Nice work and it makes our engines look more complete setting on the shelf.
Alco Fan
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Posted - January 18 2015 : 12:43:56 PM
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| Looks good Jerry. I wonder if guitar strings would work?
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Posted - January 19 2015 : 07:55:00 AM
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Nice handrails
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Posted - January 19 2015 : 08:47:10 AM
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My guess is the wire is nickel steel, same as some HO track. Doesn't look like stainless to me.
For handrails, I buy whatever type of metal K&S has at the hobby shop. I think it's carbon steel, spring steel, don't really know.
I have used plastic styrene rod. But, for that authentic tyco look, you need some shiny wire.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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Posted - January 19 2015 : 8:34:00 PM
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No, guitar strings are usually wound (the larger sizes, which I'd need, not the tiny size), for flexing, the piano wire is a single extruded piece, and it is stiff.
So far, I've found carbon steel and stainless steel piano wire listed, but no nickel at the vendors I've checked so far, although a Google search does say there are nickel and nickel plated versions of piano wire available. Stainless is a bit expensive, so if I can get a nickel or plated version, I may go with that.
Jerry
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Posted - March 02 2016 : 3:27:10 PM
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My guess is it's a low grade stainless. My engines have been stored since the 70's and the only signs of rust is where the stanchions meet the railing. the rai itself is still bright.
Howard L. Bean
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Posted - April 22 2016 : 01:41:11 AM
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I find the stanchions to be a bigger problem than the wire itself. Is there a source for the Tyco stanchions? or does one have to make their own?
Richard in Vermont
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Posted - April 22 2016 : 11:56:45 PM
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quote:I find the stanchions to be a bigger problem than the wire itself. Is there a source for the Tyco stanchions? or does one have to make their own?
Richard in Vermont
Originally posted by Richard - April 22 2016 : 01:41:11 AM
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Far as I know, there's no source for the stanchions. I'm wondering if it might be possible to get China to make them cheaply in bulk. Piano wire is available, like you said. Might be one thing I try to get made there overseas.
Jerry
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Posted - April 23 2016 : 08:32:32 AM
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| How did you do the stanchions? Nice work, btw.
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Posted - April 23 2016 : 10:16:49 AM
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quote:How did you do the stanchions? Nice work, btw.
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â April 23 2016Â :Â 08:32:32 AM
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Sent you a PM with a link.
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