12-06-2014, 10:08 PM
Real grab irons may be ordered in 0.75" or 1" diameter...so 1.25" certainly isn't too far off.
In O-scale, I prefer 0.015"~0.016" diameter wire for my grabs.
If you aren't doing so, consider creating a grab iron bending jig...drill a hole of the appropriate diameter the same distance from the edge as you'd like your grab iron. It is also ideal to make it at thick enough to make the ends the right length (2 or 3" clearance is the law as I recall...in between the sides of the car and the grab iron, to allow space for the brakeman's hands). The bending jig allows consistent and easy fabrication of grabs. Additionally, a piece of strip wood of the appropriate thickness (0.02" in HO iirc) can be used to get the correct clearance in between the car and the grab iron.
Keep up the good work!
In O-scale, I prefer 0.015"~0.016" diameter wire for my grabs.
If you aren't doing so, consider creating a grab iron bending jig...drill a hole of the appropriate diameter the same distance from the edge as you'd like your grab iron. It is also ideal to make it at thick enough to make the ends the right length (2 or 3" clearance is the law as I recall...in between the sides of the car and the grab iron, to allow space for the brakeman's hands). The bending jig allows consistent and easy fabrication of grabs. Additionally, a piece of strip wood of the appropriate thickness (0.02" in HO iirc) can be used to get the correct clearance in between the car and the grab iron.
Keep up the good work!
Michael
My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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