Scratchbuilt chain

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I have been watching the magnificent build of the Wahine, lately concerning chain. Not wanting to hi jack the thread, thought I would say a few words on chain. I don't normally make large models, but recently started making a mast top assembly for an iron square-rigger from brass (Just for illustration purposes). I required a short length of chain to support the yard truss. I made this piece from tinned copper wire. Each link is soft-soldered. It was a bit tedious, but I didn't require much of it. At larger scales, I don't think it would be much trouble to make studlink. At a few links a day, a long length would soon be built up. I never did like the idea of 3D printing! I soldered two needles next to each other (at the eye ends). Wrapping tinned copper wire round them gave me the oval shape. The resulting oval "spring" was slid off, and the links cut with a scalpel. After each link was added, I painted the joint with flux, and soldered it.

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 19/02/2016 14:44:11

[Richard H DunnParticipant @richardhdunn]

Hey Bob
I actually don't think the printing will work for me on the Wahine model ,I have to print each link, cut it, force another link in and glue the cut shut, I might as well make it in brass

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Richard Dunn 3 on 16/03/2016 09:34:28:

Hey Bob
I actually don't think the printing will work for me on the Wahine model ,I have to print each link, cut it, force another link in and glue the cut shut, I might as well make it in brass

I thought that 3d printing could make each link already interlocked. There are various techniques, but one involves printing the object in plastic and, where the object needs to 'hover in mid-air' above or through another object, printing a supporting layer of a different plastic which can later be dissolved in acetone…

[Richard H DunnParticipant @richardhdunn]

I have tried printing it intact, and it works but the size of the chain is too fine for my printer.

Edited By Richard Dunn 3 on 19/03/2016 06:21:37

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Richard Dunn 3 on 19/03/2016 06:21:20:

I have tried printing it intact, and it works but the size of the chain is too fine for my printer.

Edited By Richard Dunn 3 on 19/03/2016 06:21:37

Ah, the limitations of technology! Never mind – if it's anything like computers, wait two weeks and the updated version will have 10 times the resolution…

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