Chain drive

[lenelg]

I am planning a 1/48 scale model inspired by the "Big River Maru", a sternwheeler powered by chain drive from steam donkey, and am stumped for ideas about sources for the sprockets and drive chain. I am aware of the Serv-O-Link range, but these are on the large side for 1/48 scale.  The Serv-O-Link chain is 0.12" pitch and 0.16" wide (3.1 and 4.1 mm) Judging from photos of the prototype, I need roughly half that size..  Any ideas? No need to be operational, I just want it to hang in a realistic fashion, as the drive chain is highly visible, and the distance from the driving sprocket to the sternwheel is around 20 scale ft. Are there any usable aftermarket items available for large scale motorcycle models?

Lennart Elg, Sweden

[jacq01]

Look at the motorcycle models scale chains and sprockets.

Jacq

[Scratchman]

Tamiya 12633 1/12 Honda RC166 Metal Chain Set

Gordon Birrell

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonbirrell/

[5thwheel]

Make your own chain.  Once you get set up it goes fairly fast.  This is a drag saw, 1/8 th scale, I made many years ago.  The chain is hand made.  All that is needed is a simple drilling jig with a slot in the face to accept the strip being drilled for the chain links.  I hope you all enjoy my super fine 3D CAD drawing of the jig. The slot should be only as deep as the width of the strip and slightly loose in height.  You can tape or glue a piece of plastic or wood over the face of the slot to help keep the strip in place while drilling.  Method. In the right hole drill through the strip then advance the strip to the other hole and put a pin in it (I use the same size drill as the drill. Drill again and then advance.  Continue until all holes are drilled.  The hole spacing should be spaced at the pitch of the chain, from center to center of a link. Once all the holes are drilled then you can shape each link but not cutting it off.  Push short lengths of plastic rod through the holes of two strips to form what looks like a ladder.  Place the ladder over the edge of a thin piece of ply or cardboard just the width of your sprocket tooth then cement each rod in place from the inside on both strips. After the cemented ladder is hardened cut it up into individual links.  Now take two more drilled strips, shape and cut off each flat link.  Slip a link over the rod and clip off a little long.  Use a hot iron to brad over the link pin. For the larger chain I use a nail set and heat it up on a hot plate.  continue on both sides until you have a chain.

[Ray Dunakin]

Great tip, and an awesome model!

[lab-dad]

5thwheel!
That thing is awesome!!!!!!!
How about a thread showing all that I see in that picture?
The handsaw, the hammer, the oil can the DONKEY?
And some more of your cad drawings!

Marty

[5thwheel]

Thanks Ray and Marty.

I did not think any one would be interested in the larger 1/8 scale stuff. I'll see what I can put together.

Bill

[Gordon Ferguson]

Bill, that is a great tip on "chain production" ........ Will giving that a go soon , but in slightly smaller

Thanks

p.s. Just wondering if you profiled the front of the drilling jig you could use that as a guide for shaping links ,
       Oh definitely need to go a play with your solution 

[Chuck Doan]

Sorry Lennart, I can only think of maybe that Tamiya chain. It does require assembly though.

Bill, that is a great looking model! Yes, please post your larger scale items!

[SandiaPaul]

You might also look at watch fusee chain...here is an ebay link, I looked for a supplier other than ebay and didn't find one with a quick search.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Pocket-Watch-fusee-Chains-for-fix-/321676056396?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae563174c

Paul

[lenelg]

Thanks for all suggestions, I knew this was the place to go!  I managed to find a UK based supplier of old Watch parts which has fusee chain in a number of dimensions, but they do not come cheap - around 30 USD for 6 - 8 inches.. http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com

Will also try to follow up Scatchman´s tip on the Tamiya motorcycle chain. Making my own from scratch is probably beyond my skills and certainly my patience, unfortunately..

/Lennart

[Hauk]

Thanks for all suggestions, I knew this was the place to go!  I managed to find a UK based supplier of old Watch parts which has fusee chain in a number of dimensions, but they do not come cheap - around 30 USD for 6 - 8 inches.. http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com

Will also try to follow up Scatchman´s tip on the Tamiya motorcycle chain. Making my own from scratch is probably beyond my skills and certainly my patience, unfortunately..

/Lennart

Did anyone suggest the printed 1/35 drive chains by Click2Detail? They are part of a chain and sprocket set, but since it is print on demand I can not see why they could not print a set of just the chain:

https://www.click2detail.com/store/c35/1%3A35.html

[Allan G]

I think micromark offers chain. May not be the correct size but worth a look. Also some of the model ship suppliers may offer chain.....Allan

[detail_stymied]

i know i'm late to the party.... Grandt line makes delrin parts:  http://www.grandtline.com/products/mrr/mrr%20details/transmission_components_sprockets.html

and this company has some, too:  https://sdp-si.com/eStore/Catalog

if these links don't help the op, maybe someone else can use them.