How to reproduce a Chain Transmission

[Barnaba]

I have to reproduce a chain transmission that goes from a PTO to a winch.
Do you have any suggestion to make the chain in 1/87?
The only idea I've had is to look for an exixting chain, like the one photoetched by Aber for a bicycle set.
I don't know if it's ok or is too wide, but a bicycle chain in 1/35 scale may be as wide as the chain of a winch in 1/87 I think the only thing to do is to buy it and try.

Any other idea. Is there any 1/87 vehicle that has a chain to remove? Any motorbike?

[cfesmire]

Hi Barnaba,
The Czech company Hauler makes two different sized chains that are merely a profile of the chain in p.e. brass. What makes this significant is the ease with which to work with in situations where the chain has to wrap around a sprocket and such. www.hauler.cz/
Another alternative might be to buy a Jordan Miniatures AC Mack. They are inexpensive and have a very nice injected molded chain on 2 sprockets already. This of course would only work if the sprockets and spread that come with the Mack are the size you can use.

[Barnaba]

Hi Chester,
thanks for you advices.
Could you please tell me the name of the Hauler kit, as I've not found it looking at their website?
The Mack Bulldog idea might be good: I'll order one in my next order to Truck Stop.
In the meantime, searchin in my 1/35 collection, I've found a motorcycle that has a drive chain that might be useful: I just have to mould the straight part using resin and then assemble a chain of the right length. The only problem are sprocked wheels cogs.

[cfesmire]

Barnaba,
here's the Hauler part number: HLR87046 Retezy you'll notice that the chains appear only 2 dimensional and that only every other link is distinguishable. This is why I think it might work in your application. Their p.e. stuff is some of the smallest, sharpest crisp etchings I have picked up and the 3 different styles of relief plates are very nice.

[Barnaba]

Thanks for the info.
If I'm not wrong it looks like a towing chain more than a transmission chain, or not?



Maybe the Mack one is better.
I've had another idea. Looking at the Dragon Wagon M26 (the armored truck used by US army as tank recovery vehicle), it has 2 winches, both driven by chain transmission. I've seen that Roco meakes it in 1/87 scale.
Has anyone ever seen this model and can tell me if the transmission chains are reproduced?

[Eric]

Barnaba,

my M26 doesn't have the transmission chains to the winches reproduced. The chain drive to the rear axles is though, you can see them in the picture you posted. Unfortunately the chain to the first axle and the one to the second axle are moulded as one piece.

Eric

[Lee]

barnaba said:

If I'm not wrong it looks like a towing chain more than a transmission chain, or not?

You are correct. That is a conventional chain.

Chester's idea of the Jordan Mack sounds good. You may need to splice two chains together to get the lenght you want. Don't forget that you can get a sprue from Jordan for $1.00. Details are on the kit instructions.

[Barnaba]

I'll try buy the Mack Bulldog for my future trucks. It's a good new for me to hear that Jordan sells also a sprue, the problem is that I have to order it from Italy and I don't know if it worths.
Do you eventually know if Jordan has a website? I've not found it.

[Barnaba]

I've tried to copy a chain from a 1/35 motorbike.
In the pictures below I've tried to show it in the final position, and I think that the result might look fine.
The parts are not glued but just dry posed before completing the details.

[cfesmire]

Well that certainly is convincing enough for me. Nice work and the bed on that truck is great.

[Barnaba]

Thanks Chester.
One question about the bed. What do you think of the anti-slip plates I used? It's a photoetched plate from an italian manufacturer and I think they look a bit out of scale. I'm not able to make finer photoetched plates (it reaches my technological limits); what about the ones made by Hauler? Do you know other manufacturers who make nice anti-slip plates for 1/87 scale?

[cfesmire]

Barnaba,
The deck plating from Hauler is very nice and comes in 3 different patterns. I also like the diamond plate material from Plano. You get a lot larger sheet for the money with the Plano material as well. See first item on this page:
www.truckstopmodels.com/catalog_order_forms/plano_model_order_parts.php

[Barnaba]

In the Plano website I've found this item: 208 that looks really nice:

www.planomodelproducts.com/208-web1.jpg

[skunk]

Regarding the sprocketed wheel cogs, I might offer some advice:

If you drill a number of small holes, close together in a circular pattern of your chosen diameter, you could then cut it all out and file down the tips fairly easily.

Or, if you have some old watches (especially ladies' watches, they have smaller internals) you could take them apart and find all kinds of intriguing parts inside. It is also somehow very mechanically satisfying to atomize a wristwatch.

[Barnaba]

Skunk,
thanks for your advices. I think it's hard to make a 1mm diameter wheel cog, anyway old watches are a goldmine for wheelcogs: I'll try to become friendo of a watch repairer!!!