Hey Everone,
I am in need of a chain for a Trumpeter 1/35 French 38/39(H) tank. For such a small tank it uses a pretty big linked chain. LHS did not have anything close and I sort of live too far to take a “drive about” Any ideas? TY
You may find something interesting at your local jewelry. Just ask for their cheapest chains.
I followed my wife into the craft department at our LHS one day and found some great chain by a company called “Just Enough” from Cousin Corp. The chains are eighteen inches long and come in gun metal as well as silver and gold. Only cost a buck and a half. I picked up a few. Can’t have too much chain laying around. They’re a good size, I’ve got them hanging on all my WWII French armor.
You can find inexpensive jewelry chain in various sizes at arts and crafts stores like Hobby Lobby (not in the NJ area), AC Moore and Michaels. A dollar and change will get you enough to last many years of modeling.
model ship suppliers sell several diameters of chain. I have some extrememly fine chain that is great for 1/35 tow hook keeper chains (45 lpi) up to large anchor chain for large scale models.
If you have a cheap “dollar store” type place nearby, see if they have a “do it yourself” jewellery section. These places are great for bits of fine wire, thin braided wire, chains etc. I found a 1 metre length of “plain” 16 link/inch chain for A$2. (I know it doesn’t help much, but I am sure that the same type of stores over there carry much the same stocks.)
I would add that if you go with the cheap jewellery chain, make sure you buy chain with the links at 90 degrees to each other, not “flattened” (I think that’s called “curb” chain in jewellery-speak). It doesn’t matter how blackened/rusty/dirty you make it, the flattened variety of jewellery chain will always look like jewellery chain.