Tie down chains

[tootnkumin]

I'm gonna buy some Lonestar chain tie downs (plastic, have the locking lever moulded into a short length) and am looking for some chain to extend them. Walthers have them both. They have HO brass chain in 27 links/inch and 40 links/inch. Walthers can't tell me which matches the Lonestar the closest. Any body got a clue as to which might be the most appropriate.

This is for tieing down Norscot HO Caterpillar stuff onto flat cars.

[Rico]

I think the 40 per inch would be closer to actual tie down, 27 is bigger than logging chain in HO.
I just bought some transport chain the other day and can't remember the schedule #.
When you tie down the Cats make sure to put the chain in the right place, and not just wrapped over the hood, looks much better!

[tootnkumin]

I think the 40 per inch would be closer to actual tie down, 27 is bigger than logging chain in HO.
I just bought some transport chain the other day and can't remember the schedule #.
When you tie down the Cats make sure to put the chain in the right place, and not just wrapped over the hood, looks much better!

Yes I was thinking that the 40 per" would most likely look best, bit hard to judge from a photo and not being in your hand. I've managed to "glean" quite a few pics from the net and RRpictures etc of loads and cars. Usual method is either wrapped around axles, hubs or onto lugs provided on the chassis' (not that the models have these unfortunately)

I was lucky enough the other day to get a close up look at a large tractor on a road lowloader, so got some ideas from that, was why I went looking for the lever tightening/locking clamps.

The other thing I'll be looking for is wooden crates or pallets 'cause I've got 5 of the D9T Dozers that have to be partially dismantled to fit them onto the decks.

[Oh5oh]

For what it's worth, 40 links per inch scales to about 2" inches per link in HO scale. 27 links per inch scales to about 3 1/4" per link.

[tootnkumin]

For what it's worth, 40 links per inch scales to about 2" inches per link in HO scale. 27 links per inch scales to about 3 1/4" per link.

The 40 links per it is then, the 27 would look far too big for tiedowns.

Thanks for that.

[sd24b]

I'm gonna buy some Lonestar chain tie downs (plastic, have the locking lever moulded into a short length) and am looking for some chain to extend them. Walthers have them both. They have HO brass chain in 27 links/inch and 40 links/inch. Walthers can't tell me which matches the Lonestar the closest. Any body got a clue as to which might be the most appropriate.

This is for tieing down Norscot HO Caterpillar stuff onto flat cars.

I've used the 40 links with Intermountains tie downs. The 27's could be used as anchor chain. Phil

[DougC]

You might already know this, but....

A number of years ago when I was "chaining" loads down to my HO flatcars I wanted some straight chain (for use on the underside of construction equipment chasis then angling down to the flatcars' stake pockets - VERY prototypical.) The easiest way I did this worked great - hang a length of chain down from a pin or very small nail and run superglue (which is clear = invisible) down it. Let it cure and then cut off lengths of chain as you need them.

DougC

[Rico]

Great idea Doug, drooping chains would be loose in reality.

[tootnkumin]

You might already know this, but....

A number of years ago when I was "chaining" loads down to my HO flatcars I wanted some straight chain (for use on the underside of construction equipment chasis then angling down to the flatcars' stake pockets - VERY prototypical.) The easiest way I did this worked great - hang a length of chain down from a pin or very small nail and run superglue (which is clear = invisible) down it. Let it cure and then cut off lengths of chain as you need them.

DougC

No, I didn't know that one, was wondering how to get the slack out of the chain, your hint is much appreciated.

[HOexplorer]

Good info here. Gluing chain. Who knew? Jim