Question Tungsten weights

HemiAdda2d Jun 26, 2020

  1. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know a lot of Z scalers use tungsten weights. I am doing a set of bathtub gons in N scale, and have interior spars in the way, so a small strip or cube of tungsten is what I need. I would really like something that fits in between tub bottom and angular tub walls over the bolsters, but I need to measure the clearance. Does such a strip exist? I see cubes, but I'd like a solution that blends into the car interior if I run an empty train.
    I could also use a wider, flat strip over the truck bolsters on the interior. I need to have about 1.15oz total car weight, (but I need to weigh the car itself first) so 1/2 oz per end is about what I need. The car itself is 3D printed and super light. I have a photo of the interior. The drain holes will be closed up; they prevented suction print failures.

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  2. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Tungsten welding wire?
     
  3. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    I mix tungsten powder with white glue to fill the space. Let it thicken up and it can be shaped. Tungsten powder can be bought at golf pro shops.
     
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  4. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm assuming tungsten is hard to shape in metallic form unless a powder. I also assume sheets and strips are not available mass market except through specialty metal dealers.
    Lead is also a possibility, comes in sheets and cheaper. I was hoping for a heavier material that isn't as toxic.
     
  5. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I use lead sheet. I bought a roll of 1/32" thick sheet that was 4' x 4' several years ago, and cut it with scissors. It is used as weather stripping in some roofing jobs, and was fairly cheap, but my roll got left in CA when I moved. I have also purchased a 5 pound box of lead wool which conforms to any cavity easily enough, it was used for sealing cast iron sewer pipes and was available at home depot some years ago. Only certain states can get it now. Again I left it in CA when I moved.
     
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  6. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Could you use something like liquid gravity and secure it in place with some CA? The bb's are so small they might not be obvious with an empty load. I use it to get weight into really tight spaces and use lead shot (about 2mm dia) for more accessible areas, and also use tungsten putty where necessary. Some of these things are a little pricey though.
     
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  7. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welding rods come in 1/16"
     
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  8. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    You can buy lead ballast from a scuba diving shop that is like shotgun shot, little balls appx. 1.5mm diameter. Mix it with glue to keep it in place.
     
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  9. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Shotgun shot is a fine idea too. Totally forgot about that stuff.
     
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  10. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Or use small pieces, small lead balls used for fishing lines.

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  11. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    Cody's Office on MR Video Plus Plus just posted a video on the use of tungsten putty on an N scale car that is applicable to Z. Of course one does have to spend a bit of money to view it, but the cost is no more than a screwed up freight car.
     
  12. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I like this idea. I haven't done it but thinking about it, I'd get the smallest sized split-shot fishing weights, cut them at the split and take the two halves, flat side down and glue where you need. I would then paint them the color of your car. I'd add a bit of coal. Just a thought. Jim
     
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  13. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    For adding weight Take a look at "Liquid Gravity" by Deluxe Materials.
     
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  14. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I like the name. Jim
     
  15. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I get all kinds of tungsten shapes from various Pine Wood Derby web sites. Relatively inexpensive too compared to golf pro shops. Just google for them.
     
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  16. marmot

    marmot TrainBoard Supporter

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    You can use tungsten putty and squoosh it into any shape you want to maintain a low center of gravity while filling every void. That's typically sold at pine wood derby sections of hobby shops.
     
  17. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    For what it's worth lead is heavier than tungsten putty or tungsten powder, just sayin'.
     
  18. marmot

    marmot TrainBoard Supporter

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    Tungsten bars or shapes have a density of 19.3 g/cm^3
    Lead has a density of 11.3 g/cm^3
    Tungsten putty has a density around 10 g/cm^3
    So you're right about putty as long as you can keep the voids to a minimum with lead. I'm not sure that's right about powder, though. I just learned I should use tungsten bars or shapes when it's really necessary to maximize the use of space.
     
  19. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Powder is not dense enough so it would be about the same as putty.
     
  20. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    The wood racing cars have tungsten putty and if you search Amazon, there are a LOT of suppliers of various Oz rounds - cheap
    Since very few of the Z cars need it (the PS-2 was one and PenZee's without the steel rod where the body was molded to take). I used BB's (copper coated steel nowadays). White glue, ModPodge, whatever.
     

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