Does anyone know of a good source for N-scale coil steel loads? Have several Walthers coil steel cars that could use some loads. I also read where Red Caboose is going to do some coil steel cars also. That means even more cars that will need loads. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Hello Richard, I know very little about U.S. railroads but I assume that coil steel looks the same all over the World. The type of coils seen on trains here in the U.K. can be easily made in N-scale from Aluminium cooking foil. Cut long strips of foil to the correct scale width and then carefully wind each strip (dull side showing) around a suitable former (e.g. wooden dowel) When you reach the desired size the former can be removed.This is a very cheap way of mass-producing coils.It will take a little experimenting to find the initial length of the strip required but after that it's easy and the finished coils look effective and are reasonably strong but light. Hope this helps. John.
I had the same dilema for my coiled steel cars and my EJE gon train. I have since learned how to cast in resin using materials that can be bought from Tap Plastics. I used their blue RTV mold system and a product that they sell called Quick Cast. I made the inital molds from Sunrise Enterprizes metal castings. I started off to use the Sunrise Coils for the entire train but since I also run the train empty the cars were already the optimum weight. The metal coils added too much weight. The ones that I cast were very light. Also much cheaper in the long run.
Hey John and Brian, thanks for the tips. The wood dowels with aluminum foil sounds easy and quick. I agree with you Brian that metal ones would just be too heavy. By the way Brian, welcome to Trainboard. Since you were able to make cast resin loads, maybe our resident detail parts supplier (BLMA )will get a good idea. Hint hint Craig! Thanks again for the tips guys.
I have had some luck using the spools from wire-wraps (I'm an EE). They appear to be just the right size.
Stewart Products (aka Virnex) also makes (real) N metal coil loads 1210 Strip Steel Coils (6) MSRP $5.95 One possible source is N Scale Supply http://www.nscalesupply.com/STP/STP.html Courtesy post only No affiliation N Joy 8=)
