Wood cable reel

Other options for cable include stranded copper wire. Depending on what size cable you want to model I would think 16-20 AWG would work like 18 gauge lamp cord. After stripping the insulation I would put one end in a vise and the other end in an electric drill to wind the strands tighter. Look for a recycler or junk yard in your area rather than buy new.

Pete

I am with Nick, the Western Electric would be the ticket for me as a steam era fan and old time telecom worker.  I work as an engineer at the local telephone company and just went outside to take a picture of the modern General Cable reels out in our yard.  They at least give some weathering ideas for someone who wants to weather Andre's gems.

Now back onto John Roebling.  Nick is correct he founded Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. Actually the phone company I work for has a central office building in Saxonburg just one block from Roebling Park, Saxonburg Museum, and Roebling Workshop.

Saxonburg Museum, Roebling Workshop Early history of Saxonburg and its founder John Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Museum exhibits include Roeblings, communications, blacksmith, general store, laundry.

John Roebling Workshop is the 1840 shop where suspension bridge pioneer Roebling made first wire cable is on National Register of Historic Places. Restored by Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Commission, open by appointment.

Saxonburg Museum and Roebling Workshop

A small detail that was missed in the previous post: Johann August Röbling was actually from Prussia, or modern day Germany. This general area was known as "Sachsen", or "Saxony" in English.  He changed his name to John Augustus Roebling after coming to the United States.

Owen,

Thank you for the addition.  I knew he was born in Saxony, Prussia.  I probably saw the original spelling of his name, but had long forgotten.  My maternal grandmother's parents came from Saxony and settled near Saxonburg.

I appreciate the details!!

Excellent information guys!!

thank you for sharing.

Andre.

Here is how look using a steel cord for hang pictures.

the cord is just 9 ft, enough to fill the core.

durasteel Home Depot hardware section.

Andre, that wire looks very good. What did you use on the reel to give it the aged look. Ink wash or something else?

Don,

I use black weatherize powder mixed with alcohol.

Andre.

Andre,

It looks like it came out of the cable yard at work!!  Great job!!

Beautiful AG! I know a lot is the tool, but the detail is so amazing.(Wont ever forget your working miniatures anyhow!) Guess I should throw my childhood wood burning pen out now.

 I never saw really large reels shipped on stands. Flat, or blocked/cribbed & lashed down. Moved for use yes, not shipping.

Speaking of rolls of metal, one load I'd maybe like to see, would be more realistic rolls of coiled sheet metal, sans the weight of all real metal. Metal wrapped wood with an etched & painted spiraling edge?

Can any metals be etched or cut with it?   

Adriatic,

there is a lot to talk here.

The stand make the roll look nice, if you use for transportation or not is a personal election.

the 1.6" is a mid size reel so for uncoil the wire rope you need a stand.

Rolls of sheet metal doesn't need a reel, just metal band to wrap it.

regarding if i can cut metal the answer is no, but I can etched.

Andre.

Simple question -- maybe i missed it here, but how much are you planning on selling these for? Thank you.

jackson

Jackson,

the kit is $15 each 1.6" reel and stand.

names can be customized.

Andre.

Made my first reel made for me by Andre. Housatonic Wire, formerly of Seymour CT. Five more to go.

Here's a Roebling Cable Reel on a Flat Car (1941 Advertisement)

Looks good Don.

Those will look real nice with your Housatonic engine that I dropped a few months ago. (Luckily it survived with small part damage, and Don didn't kill me on the spot!)

Ed

Thanks Ed.

Here's another example of cable reels on cars.....not Andre's work, but my own of a few year's back...... Open one on the rack is for stringing overhead as this is all on a traction flat car.

Here is a magazine shot that I found at our club tonight. An interesting car.

Nice line car!  Another good reason to be a traction/trolley modeler,

WOw!

I can see the stand was not bad idea!

Don, the reels came out nice.

Rich, thank you for the advertizing!

Martin, nice job as usual.

thank you to everybody for the feedback and comments.

 sincerely I appreciate that.

Andre.