I am getting ready to build my turret and plan on scratch building the bustle rails, looking for help. Looking for advice on whether to use plastic rod or wire to build them. Perhaps some advice for either, experice or "things to not do." Also, what diamater rod/wire is correct for 1/35th scale. Or perhaps a link if it has been addressed before.
Thanks for the help

Sempre Fi

Melon, I would suggest using plastic rod. I had used wire to build a bustle rack on a 1:72 scale Abrams and it didn't turn out too well (too many kinks). Good luck!
Kyle

I agree with melon and use plastic rod. I know that some of our master scratch builders like Fabio and Vod use Brass and wire and their results speak volumes for their talent . If you make a jig with push pins to use as a guide I think you could use either plastic or wire. After more thought I don't think the wire way would be that good because of the possibility of loosing its shape. Go with either thin brass or plastic.

hey guys,

bustle rack of m1a2 in my gallery is scratch build and i used wire for it. It turned out very good

check it out...

Orkun

Nice work Deadman,

Semper Fi
Andy

Deadman, looks great. Thanks for the advice guys, since I always seem to use the turret sponson boxes as a place to pick the turret up, I think I will go with plastic.

The correct size rod in 1/35th scale is .040". I used brass wire with fabulous results.

Rob

yepp i used same thing too
.40 brass

thanks,
Orkun

That's about 1mm, right? Interesting, I thougth it should be thinner. Good to know! Thanks!

Rgds,
Pawel

I have used .035 rod and .032 brass rod/wire ( from the RR section of the store, not from a spool)... One thing to consider is to make a jig or use the same surface to get uniformly rounded bends in whatever material that you use. Anneal the brass ros to make those bends easy.
Good Luck
John