Chains for Cargo Loads?

Those are nice.  Who makes them?

I recently saw some really oversized chains on a log car in a video (looked like they came off the wrist of a Sopranos family member). 

George

Chain in a variety off links per inch blackened or not is available from A-line.  Load binder castings, hooks, etc., are available from Wiseman Model Services.

Crafts Stores have supplies for jewelry makers. At AC Moore (locally), there's a big selection. You may find costume jewelry at Walmart that would suit.

Hobby Lobby  and Michael's have a selection of chain in thier craft jewelry department.

Richard

Try DHS Diecast for chains, I use them for flatcar loads and look like the ones that come with Lionel flatcars.  The chains and hooks are made by Sword.  

http://www.dhsdiecast.com/Chai.../productinfo/SWP002/

What MWB said if you are after high scale fidelity,  as Gilly and Richard said, AC Moore or Michaels if not.  I usually sneak in a single link of EZ wire (elastic thread) to avoid that big ugly spring, yet still keep my chains taught:

just a comment on the topic, but you'd probably be surprised how rarely chains are used as load tiedowns.  in real life chain is expensive and tiedowns were/ are typically considered expendable items.  and please, before you go hunt for pictures, remember i said rarely, not never.

cheers...gary

overlandflyer posted:

just a comment on the topic, but you'd probably be surprised how rarely chains are used as load tiedowns.  in real life chain is expensive and tiedowns were/ are typically considered expendable items.  and please, before you go hunt for pictures, remember i said rarely, not never.

cheers...gary

So what was commonly used?

Bossman284 posted:

overlandflyer posted:

just a comment on the topic, but you'd probably be surprised how rarely chains are used as load tiedowns.  in real life chain is expensive and tiedowns were/ are typically considered expendable items.  and please, before you go hunt for pictures, remember i said rarely, not never.

cheers...gary

So what was commonly used?

in one specific case, i was looking to mount some farm tractors on a flatcar.  finding an actual spec for loading and following that as closely as i could, all of the wheels are chocked with the blocks nailed to the deck and metal bands are used only on the rear wheels.

for pipe loads on a bulkhead flat i used wooden wedges and metal bands which i also copied from a prototype load.

John Sethian posted:

What MWB said if you are after high scale fidelity,  as Gilly and Richard said, AC Moore or Michaels if not.  I usually sneak in a single link of EZ wire (elastic thread) to avoid that big ugly spring, yet still keep my chains taught:

How do you run the EZ Line through turnbuckles like this?

p51 posted:

John Sethian posted:

What MWB said if you are after high scale fidelity,  as Gilly and Richard said, AC Moore or Michaels if not.  I usually sneak in a single link of EZ wire (elastic thread) to avoid that big ugly spring, yet still keep my chains taught:

How do you run the EZ Line through turnbuckles like this?

Only the segment close to the deck is EZ Line.  I tie a knot in it, and soak the knot with CA.   Then slip it through the turnbuckle, go through the deck mounting holes, and wrap it around a length of brass wire.  Note re Overland Flyer, these simulate cables, not chains.  Which you would use for a high value load.

As an example of chains with the hidden EZ wire link, look at this.  The EZ wire link is under the trailer

And yes, in this case the chains are uber prototypical

Richard Gonzales posted:

Hobby Lobby  and Michael's have a selection of chain in thier craft jewelry department.

Richard

I got some chains that work well for me at Michaels. I use bailing wire to make a hook for the cargo and then cover the end with some black shrink sleeve. For springs, I also used bailing wire on some MTH flat cars with Sherman tanks. Bend a 1 inch piece over into a U shape -- kinda like a bobby pin -- and slide it through the end link. Then slide that through one of the square openings on the side of the flat car and twist the ends up to make the chain tight and cut the excess. Am at work now but can post some pictures if there is interest.

Pictures please

McShab posted:

Pictures please

Coming up in about an hour when I get home.

Here are the pictures. Not super prototypical but I like the look. Second image is the hook fashioned from bailing wire with the shrink wrap added. Bottom photo is the anchor with the ends twisted up to stretch the chain tight. And it IS tight. Note that I could have clipped the excess for a neater look but left it as you see there. Ends up being a few cents per chain.

Actually really like John's approach but that's a little out of my league. 

Forum member ROSS gave me the tip to make your own chains.  You take a pipe cleaner and burn off the fuzzy material.  I  then painted the remaining wire with rust spray paint.  You can makes lots of chains for a $1.  You can then bend them to secure your item to the flat car.  

The Wal-mart near here has rolls and packages of tiny chain in "Crafts"