Chain for Models.

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

One of the things that I like to add to models that I build up that require it is chain. While some kits provide you with paper or card substitutes for chain in ship and armor subjects, they usually don't look too realistic. Either that or they require a whole lot more work than is fun to deal with. While I have resorted to various sources, craft stores, jewelery stores, dime stores and the occasional odd well stocked hobby store in the past, for a number of years now I have been relying on Model Expo down in Hollywood, Florida.

They do mail order, internet order and even walk in if you live in the area. The internet store is located here.

Model Expo: Historic Wooden Model Ship, Aircraft, Cannon, Stagecoach Kits, Modeling Books, and Hobby Tools -

The chain is either copper or blackened, depending on sizes in the case of blackened. They also sell a product called "Blacken It" to do these chores. If you happen to have Sporting Goods store in your area that caters to Black Powder Shooters you can also find a product to blacken brass which will also do the job there. The chain comes in several sizes, I prefer the 15, 21, 27, and 42 link per inch sizes for my uses. I usually purchase it in the longest lengths available, 5 and 10 feet depending on size, it is cheaper that way.

[Knife]

Looks like a good find, thanks for the info.

[Swampfox]

Another place that has lots chains are jewelery supply stores. They are fairly common in the SW US. I don't know about other areas.

You can buy it by the inch and it's not too expensive. It's usually copper, or gold in color. I buy the copper and blacken it with ............. ah, I can't remember what chemical, but it's often seen for sale in FSM magazine as a weathering product for all kinds of material.

Can anybody fill in my blank brain this morning?

SFX

[jleslie48]

I just go to the $1 store and look at the cheap jewelry section.

amazing the bling for model building you can find there:










could of spray painted the chain black I suppose...

[Zakopious]

Liver of sulfur and liver of sulfur-gel form can be used to blacken metal.
See: Liver of sulfur - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is available on Amazon, see:
Amazon.com: liver of sulfur

It should also be available in art/craft supply stores.

In the 1960's, I taught chemistry in Fremont, Indiana.
The art teacher ran out of liver of sulfur and asked me to make some for her.
I did it and the product does look like a piece of dried liver.