Adding tube/raised details to teeny, tiny rod!

[Dukat, S.G.]

All,

Assume I have a very thin brass rod, maybe a mm or two in diameter (?), that's about 1.5" long. I need to add very slightly raised detail to this rod -- and when I might slight, I mean I can't find any metal or plastic rods that fit the bill. Even cylindrical craft beads from Hobbyslobby were much too large (well, that, and since they're made of glass, I really can't cut them to length).

For illustrative purposes, this is [very roughly] what I have in mind. Obviously, this isn't to scale or I wouldn't have a problem

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50032391@N02/5073069972/

Any suggestions as to how I might add this tubular detail would be radical, dudes! (Seriously, many thanks.)

[karim]

You've got to go up or down. If you can't find nesting brass to slide over your rod, then try to find thicker solid rod, chuck it in a drill, and use a small needle file to "lathe" it down.

[Andrew Gorman]

The old reliable butane lighter nozzles might work for you- some have more ridges than others. Or try a tire valve core. Or a pack of watch parts.

Generic lighter parts:
http://www.chopgo.com/offering/GasLighterTips.html

Valve core:
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/pro ... alve-core/

Watch parts:
http://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/Wa ... p24717.htm

[Kylwell]

Mylar tape and some putty. Wrap the tap around and use Mr. 500 to fix the seam.

Albion Alloys is another thought.

[modelnutz]

Ever consider heat shrink tubing ?

[Owen E Oulton]

Muffler tape (AKA aluminum duct tape). Cut with an X-Acto and a steel ruler, then apply. For permanence, secure with thin CA,

[Blappy]

Albion Alloys is another thought.

Wow! I just saw their add in FSM and was going to check their website out. Amazing products. I can't wait to get some stock on that stuff for projects. I want one pack of everything!

[Rocketeer]

What I've done in similar situations is cut narrow strips of lead foil, then wrap them around the rod, using super glue to hold everything together. Overlap the ends of the strip, then do a bit of filing to smooth out the overlap.

If you want a larger diameter, just wrap around again.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Mask off all the low points, then spray paint with build up primer.

Remove the masking and you should have your varigation.

[Kylwell]

Albion Alloys is another thought.

Wow! I just saw their add in FSM and was going to check their website out. Amazing products. I can't wait to get some stock on that stuff for projects. I want one pack of everything!

They're going to be @ iHobby.....

[Andrew Gorman]

A timely article on the main site:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/tr_turret.htm

[Andrew Gorman]

A timely article on the main site:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/tr_turret.htm

[Romulan Spy]

If you can find a piece of small-diameter styrene tubing you could try heating and stretching it. If you've ever used stretched sprue, the technique is the same. It'll retain it's shape but you can get it real thin. Slice it with a razor blade.

[Dukat, S.G.]

Tons of great suggestions. I'm not sure which I'll start with, but I'll be sure to give you gents an update.

Thanks, all of you. I knew you'd steer me straight

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Ever consider heat shrink tubing ?

I like the shrink wrap tubing for fine wire solder joints...

Slip it over the tube heat and whatch it shrink to a tight fit.
It could even be trimmed after it is in place.

[davidlgreen]

on brass rod i have used tape or resist and then used photo etch mordant
to etch the rod

[Dukat, S.G.]

All,

I tried a few things.

*I tried lathing down pieces of plastic and brass rods, respectively, mostly to see if I could accomplish anything with the limited tools I have.

That was a bust.

*I also tried the masking-and-priming method. It was a bit messy; I'm pretty sure I couldn't get that to work, even in a scale where subtlety is key.

*I tried a few types of tape I had lying around. To my surprise, that didn't work very well for me.

*Finally, I tried stretching styrene tubes. BAM! Almost instant success. I wound up with more junk than usable shrunken tube, but the bit that turned out well fit the rod ...

Well, almost To get it to fit, I had to cut it lengthwise. When I fit my little pieces to the rod, there were only small gaps. I filled those with a thin film of superglue, which should also hold the darned things to the rod.

Pics forthcoming. My next step was going to order from Albion Alloys, which looks like a VERY promising outfit, and/or try heat shrink wrapping.

Thanks again everybody.

[Mr. Badwrench]

You ought to at least try the heat shrink tubing method. It is quick and easy, and works especially well with brass tubing. Much faster than stretching out miles of styrene tube.

[Dukat, S.G.]

You ought to at least try the heat shrink tubing method. It is quick and easy, and works especially well with brass tubing. Much faster than stretching out miles of styrene tube.

I agree. I have to build a second, identical piece before long anyhow. The main reason I went with the melted plastic tube was that I already had some.
(Well, that, and once I discovered how well it worked, I was eager to press forward with my project. I've been working on this model for a good while now.)