Small Scale Military Headquarters

Where does one get GOOD 1:18-ish scale chain for on their vehicles? Something that doesn't need immediate weathering would be alright (even if it looks "new"ish), but I'm just looking for a good steady source of scale chain if I can find one.

I'm not having much luck in searches on my own right now.

i've found nothing. I go to a jewelry shop i know and buy cheap $1 necklaces etc. Not perfect and need painting but the best i've found.

At Michales I found 36inches of 1/18 chain for 2 bucks!
It is silver but i paint it.

...could also try model ship builder suppliers. They use heaps of scale stuff like chains / shackles / pulleys / turn buckles.

Walmart used to have a convincing chain in the craft section that I use on my armor. I don't know if they still carry the item though.

Mark

Thanks for the link...

I'm trying to get something that doesn't require painting, as I'm likely to be handling it and I'm doubting the paint will last long.

The link's ideal, but does that company ship to the US for a reasonable price? I'm hoping so, but buying from Europe usually doesn't mean you're going to do well on the shipping end of things, haha.

any chain you paint won't hold up to much handling. The paint flakes off rather easily. To be honest, the chain in that link looks like it would need painting too..

I cant remember what it's called but you can get a "buffer" type compound that dulls/darkens the metal.

You mean "blacken-it"?

I certainly appreciate the tips. I'll keep searching, and check out "blacken-it".

smittyrob64 wrote:You mean "blacken-it"?

You can get this at micro mark.

Also most hobby shops that sell trains sell yje blacken it.

Michels is the best source for chains. I got several sizes to do my Panther booms. If that project ever gets started.

You aint gotta paint that chain to make it look used. Just use our old buddy called fire just be careful and dont burn yourself.

cranedriver wrote:You aint gotta paint that chain to make it look used. Just use our old buddy called fire just be careful and dont burn yourself.

So I grabbed some chains at Michaels... Finding good looking chain is harder than one would think.

It's all sliver-plated, nothing "good" really right out of the package...

However, Cranedriver gets the golden star for best advice so far. I tried water immersion for a period, and vinegar immersion for a period. Exposed metal rusts, but anything under the silver plating does not rust.

I have not tried goof-off, or lighter fluid/gasoline/nail polish remover... I don't expect much luck with any of those either though, due to electro-plating experience I have with SW Droid figures I've customized.

Anyway, I did on a whim try just lighting up a chunk of chain with a lighter holding the chain with needlenose pliars... Voila. Instant black chain, or steelish colored chain, or basically no more bright silver, anywhere. I heated the chain till it glowed orange, just to be sure. It worked perfectly.

Sooooo... Back to Michaels to buy a big $8 spool of it, and I guess grabbing a grill lighter when I'm at WM.

Thanks Cranedriver, for the fire tip. Simplest, but probably wouldn't have crossed my mind immediately, actually. I figured hobby chains would be available... I mean, you'd think, right? But nothing. Not even any tutorials I can find online about making shiney chain dull really. Why piss with "blacken-it"? Meh.

Now... steel hooks for on the end of the chain? A whole other story I suppose.

I'm thinking I may be best off casting one in resin and painting it rather than tryin to track down something that looks right.

Ta-dah

For those curious on this topic as well, let me give you quick advice... DO NOT BUY THE BIG ROLL OF SILVER CHAIN! I did tonight, the size of the chain was a little better and you got more for your buck.

But it's not the same as the other chain... More like aluminum, and thus is actually malformed when heated, and it did not discolor to a basic "steel" color. I'm disappointed, but used a 40% coupon so it's not too bad. I just now have basically 12 yards of super shiney chain. Anyone need any?