Brass handrails

[Digga dan]

Right guys I've noticed one or two models now with custom brass handrails fitted and I have to say it looks so much better! So now I'm in a position where I've got a couple of spare diggers that I can "experiment" with! So I just need to know what I need and the best places to get them from I.e what soldering iron and wire to use + tips on soldering and bending
Cheers dan

[niner]

Hi Dan,

I have done it on many of my models now and I have learned a lot.

for 1:50 scale models I have found 1:32 brass rods look the best. I started off using soldering wire and flux but unless you are a ninja solderer its hard and messy work so I went with a flux/solder paste.

Have a look at my post.

Soldering with solder paste

It comes in a tiny pot, you dab some paste on the joints and then just touch it with the iron and it's done!

here are a few pics of the things I have done using the paste.



Replaced the big plastic Joal rails on my WA900 from this-



To this-



I changed the rails on my PC1100 from this-



To this.



The PC1100 was done with the solder wire and was a really fiddly job and not as tidy as the stuff I have done with the paste. You will need some really small fine metail files too.

I bend the brass in either a small modeling vice or a good set of pliers. As for a soldering iron, I have a cheap maplin 30w one that does ok.

Hope some of that helps?

[Digga dan]

That's brilliant, can you recommend any shops that I could get the wire/paste/glue from, it's the pc1100 that I'm goin to be experimenting with as I've got 4 of the excavator versions now

[niner]

Go onto ebay and type this item no into the search bar 270532380756 That will get you the paste, only prob is is trebbled in price since I last bought it, £15 now.

The brass rod you should be able to get in any good model shop or here for example -

http://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/shop/modelling-materials-metal-sections-c-64_157.html

This is what I did with my PC1100 face shovel just to give you some ideas

My custom JOAL Komatsu PC1100

[Digga dan]

Fantastic job with the komatsu that's exactly what I'm trying to achieve, if I get any problems or any questions i'l give you a shout if that's ok.
Turns out that model shop is only about 20mins down the road from me so that's a bonus!!!
Once I've figured out the handrail side of things I'm goin to look into adding hydrolic hose detail but i'l stick to one step at a time!!!

[niner]

Feel free to give me a shout, I will try and help you out!

For hydraulic hoses get some 99p headphones from ASDA, thats what I used for the hoses on my Komatsu.

[Digga dan]

What size brass rod did you use on your 1100?

[niner]

1:32

http://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/shop/round-brass-12in-132in-pieces-p-22480.html