Strut material.

[AMStreet]

Having more or less used up all of my Strutz and Contrail strutting I wonder if any one knows of an alternative. 

 

I can of course whittle any strut if I have to but that takes a while and my efforts are not always consistent. 

 

I found that both Strutz and Contrail had different uses, Strutz for load bearing parts i.e. undercarriages and Contrail for wing struts and any thing over a certain length.

 

Any information would be appreciated.

[Robin-42]

You can make a die out of two pieces of hardwood and squeeze brass tube between them to make as much as you need. 3D printed dies seem to work well as well. I did see a die for 1/32 Fokker struts for sale, but have forgotten where.

[europapete]

Aircraft in Pixels. Bo Monroe sells them.

[DaddyO]

Depends on the scale you are working in - presumably 1/72?

 

I've only ever made mine from filed brass rod or sometimes soldering a brass strip to the back of a thin brass wire. Easy enough to do if you are patient and just work on a few inches at a time.

 

to shape solid brass wire use some double sided tape on the workbench, add a piece of 1mm brass wire and sand a flat. Peel it off and repeat on the opposite side (easier than the first side to do because the flat stops it rolling) Keep repeating until you have made it thin enough and then clip off slightly over length and shape the ends. As an alternative you can superglue plastic strip to thin wire and then shape to suit with a file or sanding stick

 

Here are a couple I've done

 

First up undercarriage for a 1/72 Fokker Eindekker from soldered brass wire with the 'section' added in plastic (before final shaping)

 

 

 

Next a 1/72 Floh with struts filed from brass rod as described

 

 

Final one is a set of struts for DeHavilland DH5 made from brass wire soldered to brass strip (after painting)

 

 

I've also seen bamboo used very effectively because it can be split into sections to save sanding time

 

Hope that helps

Paul

 

 

[AMStreet]

Thanks for the information and tips.

 

I think that I will take some of the suggestions i.e. using bamboo strips and brass tubing and make some master patterns, then make some silicone moulds which I do for military and aviation projects and finally cast some in white metal. 

 

Not ideal but I think it will work.  There does seem to be an opening in the market for these items.

 

Oh, and yes I work mainly in 1/72 failing eyesight notwithstanding.  I don't know why but the bigger scales just don't work for me.

[Brandy]

I make all my own struts in 1:72 from Evergreen strip. Just round off the edges and add a brass locating pin.

 

Ian

[Admiral Puff]

Have a lookie here:

www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235075439-home-made-plastic-strut/

[Rob de Bie]

Here's how I make struts from Albion micro tubing. Albion sells a special tool that does roughly the same. My rolling method often gives curved struts, but you can uncurve them by rolling the other side.

 

 

 

Rob

[Paul Thompson]

8 hours ago, Rob de Bie said:

Here's how I make struts from Albion micro tubing. Albion sells a special tool that does roughly the same. My rolling method often gives curved struts, but you can uncurve them by rolling the other side.

 

 

 

 

 

Rob

If you mean 'The Strutter' by Albion Alloys, that was discontinued some years ago, IIRC (but happy to be proved wrong).

 

Paul.

[Jonners]

On 8/29/2024 at 1:30 PM, DaddyO said:

to shape solid brass wire use some double sided tape on the workbench, add a piece of 1mm brass wire and sand a flat. Peel it off and repeat on the opposite side (easier than the first side to do because the flat stops it rolling) Keep repeating until you have made it thin enough and then clip off slightly over length and shape the ends.

 

8 hours ago, Rob de Bie said:

Here's how I make struts from Albion micro tubing. Albion sells a special tool that does roughly the same. My rolling method often gives curved struts, but you can uncurve them by rolling the other side.

 

Those are both excellent ideas! Thanks. I still have a reasonable supply of both Strutz and Contrail strips, but they won't last forever so other ideas are much appreciated.

Jon

[AMStreet]

My request for alternative strut material seems to have hit a nerve.  Lots of good suggestions and I will definitely give them a try. 

 

But it begs the question why is there no commercial source? 

 

Having had my fingers burnt a few years ago with trying to sell etched brass badges and insignia for military models I don't think that I will dip my toe in this pool but if anyone is feeling adventurous I think that there might be a market for such items.