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Albion Alloys Tubes

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 9:32 AM

goldhammer

I've cut 3 and 3.5 mm K&S brass tube with a #11 blade. Took a minute or so and a quick ream with the blade tip.

Used a little older blade so I wouldn't dull a new one.

 

I do the same, but with a broad tipped blade to slow down wear.  Still do get fuzz inside though.  But cleaning it out with drill and pinvise is no big thing to me.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Monday, November 2, 2020 9:33 PM

I've cut 3 and 3.5 mm K&S brass tube with a #11 blade. Took a minute or so and a quick ream with the blade tip.

Used a little older blade so I wouldn't dull a new one.

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Toronto
Posted by Of Models & Monsters on Monday, November 2, 2020 4:47 PM
That's how I thought it was done, but people were scaring me saying it doesn't cut good. What size diameter do you usually get?
  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Monday, November 2, 2020 2:34 PM

I've used the brass tubing , if you use a knife with barely any pressure it cuts pretty good , with stock and roll motion  .

 

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Toronto
Posted by Of Models & Monsters on Monday, November 2, 2020 8:59 AM
Are you referring to the styrene tubes or the albion alloys steve5?
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Monday, November 2, 2020 7:55 AM

Could you also strip the insulating coating from fine wire (I think you call it fuse wire in the UK), and use that?

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Sunday, November 1, 2020 8:25 PM

I have used this tubing before ,  if you just rock & roll a blade over it very gently it cut's pretty good . 

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by dhenning on Sunday, November 1, 2020 5:47 PM

I think that using a little larger diameter gives you a thinner wall thickness as you stretch it.  Frankly, I used the 1/8" diameter because I had more of it in my stock.  You could give the 3/32" a try.   They might sell a rod and tube variety pack as well if you are ordering it.

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Toronto
Posted by Of Models & Monsters on Sunday, November 1, 2020 4:20 PM
Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I'm checking out styrene tubing from Evergreen right now, would the 3/32 inch be a good size?
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Saturday, October 31, 2020 5:05 PM

dhenning
I went back to a method that I might have discovered on this forum-taking Evergreen styene tubing (usually 1/8" or the smallest tube that they have), heating it over a candle and stretching it like sprue. Takes a little while to get consistent thicknesses, but much cheaper than the metal tubing and easier to work with.

After having the same problem having to constantly deburr brass tubung, I stumbled onto a wonderful alternative even to having to 'pull' styrene tubing: polyimide tubing, available on Amazon as well as other sources. It's stiff yet flexible, and cuts cleanly and easily with hobby knife or single-edge razor blade. Even 'chopping' it against a hard surface, it springs right back to its tubular shape.

Best of all -- for rigging use -- is that it's thin-walled enough to be close to scale, and slick like teflon so it's easy to thread line through. I use CA as an adhesive, never had any problems.

ADDENDUM: Just had a quick look on Amazon, and the vast variety of sizes and inexpensive short lengths that used to be available seem to have disappeared. Polyimide is used both in medical and industrial applications...but if it's only available now in 'industrial' quantities, that may rule it out as being practical for hobbyists. No bait and switch intended. (Now I'll have to carefully husband my small remaining supply.... Crying)

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by dhenning on Saturday, October 31, 2020 4:52 PM

I purchased some at the IPMS Nationals last year to use for the hooks and turnbuckles used to secure ship anchor chains.   I had difficulty cutting it without having to redrill the ends everytime.   I went back to a method that I might have discovered on this forum-taking Evergreen styene tubing (usually 1/8" or the smallest tube that they have), heating it over a candle and stretching it like sprue.   Takes a little while to get consistent thicknesses, but much cheaper than the metal tubing and easier to work with.

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Toronto
Albion Alloys Tubes
Posted by Of Models & Monsters on Saturday, October 31, 2020 2:40 PM

Happy Halloween.  I was just curious, anybody here use albion alloys to create your own WWI turnbuckles?  I've already learned how to make the eyelets with tiny copper wires and now I just need to find some tiny hollow tubing.  I've seen that they sell tubes in 0.2mm, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 etc... what would you say would be the perfect size for both realism in 1/48 scale and enough space to fit the eyelets in?

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