What size chain and what source do you use for loads on your flat cars ?
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Roger, art/craft stores (such as Michael's, for example) have a wide array of chains in their jewelry-making section. You should be able to find something that scales down to an appropriate size for O-scale.
They also carry a great selection of wire and string (also for jewelry making) that make great tie-down "cables".
Boilermaker 1 got some with hooks from Walther's, other's find it in the jewelry aisle in craft stores and hobby shops with shipbuilding supplies and of course, eBay has it.
I believe Precision Scale has turn buckles. Not positive.
PSC has chain and hooks, I use blackened chain from A-line - host of sizes in links per inch; Wiseman has other hardware for loads; turnbuckles are available from Grandt Line, Tichy, PSC, Scale City Designs, and others.....
ModelExpo.com used to carry a good selection of different sizes & colors of chain. Their main business was serving ship modelers and the chain was needed for anchors. Haven't checked recently, but I would think they still carry it.
Bill in FtL
I went into Boscov's Dept. store (any store like K-Mart will do) and went to the woman's jewelry department. I found a necklace cheap, about $7, that had long strands of black chain and was the perfect size. I cut it to length for my use and it worked great.
Depends on the load and how big you want the chain, a 1/16 inch loop will be 3 scale inches. Ive bought chain at Michaels for use in tie downs but it can be a bit big. Walthers has a bunch of chain that is scale and looks great but can be a bit spendy
Clover House also has scale chain
Got mine from Crescent Locomotive (a forum sponsor I believe).
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Their main business was serving ship modelers and the chain was needed for anchors.
Yes, the model ship building aisle has all kinds of good stuff in it.
I have bought a few packages small blackened chain from Hobby Lobby....I pick it up whenever they have it 50% off sale!!! I used it on my scratch built log haulers. 24 to 36 inches for under $2!
I used this.
Hobby Lobby. All kinds of good stuff there, and in enough sizes to fit into scale.
Hoppy
If you find some that is 16 to 24 links per inch that will give you an accurate representation of a 2 to 3 inch link in a chain
