I have noticed that many of you replace the troop rails and handles with wire. My question is are you using brass wire or copper wire and what sizes are most useful. Any bending or sizing tips would also be appreciated.

Whe i need to replace the handles I use .5mm brass wire, simple because it holds its shape with handling. Copper wire can be used but for me it's too flexible to be of use for me. HTH STUG

A quick way of making handles is to use staples. I bought a couple of cheap staplers of different sizes and kept the staples that came with it specially for handles. They are strong enough and hold their shape, I simply drill a couple of holes and superglue them in. They are not the right shape for every occasion but do come in handy.

Amazing !
I posted exactly the same question with nearly exactly the same title several months ago !

The diameter I use is around 0.5 mm.
I have one kind of cable, rather stiff, used for solder.
The other kind of cable I use is very "soft". It's used to make jewls.

To bend, I use normal pincers. That way, it's done in a precise manner. For a long rounded shape, I bend the wire around the handle of a knife or around a pen... and then I finish the sape by hand. In fact, these are exactly the methods I use for PE also.

I have some scrap copper wire that I use for some replacement handles. I use needle nose pliers and Mark I Eyeballs with Visual Acuity Enhancement devices and Image Size Intensifiers. #:-)

I went to my local electronics shop and they sell small coils of copper wire in all the smaller diameters. I just purchased a couple that 'looked right' and use these. For anything bigger I use brass wire. :-)

Thanks for the great replies I appreciate it. I think I am going to try copper wire I haven't had much luck with brass wire for some reason. I want to ratchet up my next model and replace any grabs or rails with wire.