Re-creating Brunel chains

Edited By vic newey on 05/03/2023 13:01:05

Thanks for this.

According to the relevant Wiki, these are the launching chains ie, presumably, not the anchor chains.

The cross members are to reduce the knotting up when chains are stored in chain lockers. The chains would have been second hand anchor chains, not specifically made for ship launching, maybe past thier best, or from scrapped ships.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, just to clarify a couple of points raised, the diorama will be full size, and will be outside for a weekend. A representation of the Clifton bridge will form part of it and a dummy dressed as per IKB in the picture Hopper was kind enough to show in his post. We thought 3d chain links would be the icing on the cake, and we would reduce the number a bit. I rather like the mould and casting route, and wonder if a split mould were used, could builders expanding foam be used to "cast" the links, on the basis that this would be quicker than paper maiche or plaster of paris. Thanks also for the info on acrylic paint and balloons.

Please keep the suggestions coming, we need to get this done for the Coronation celebrations.

Chris Gunn

I think I would make up a figure 8 template or maybe just a half link in an E shape then take a sheet of 50mm celotex or similar PU insulation and draw as many links as you can. Cut them out and then rough chamfer the edges with a craft knife. Finally some coarse 40g sandpaper will round off the edges. Paint with black emulsion

If you did twice as many half links as full then it makes it easier to assemble the chain

Edited By JasonB on 05/03/2023 16:22:42

3-D printing might be a serious project? Very low infill requirement, but may still prove expensive in time and materials?

As someone who did such things for a living for TV & film I would suggest that you consider foam pipe lagging either whole or bandsawed in half

I saw the chains used on a film at Didcot, I went and lifted them, they were made of a foam like material, it was tempting to swap them.with real ones from the 50t hoist, but that would have required a crane.

As a BBC studio engineer, I would leave at 11pm from one show & return at 9am the next day to see a different set or for a sitcom about 5 sets. If the parts are not to be looked at closely, then don't put in to much detail that no one will see. The change to high definition TV caused issues with sets where imperfections could be seen.

Baldric.

Hi

The link was wrought and the cross piece was cast. The link is in tension under load and the cast piece under compression.

George

Thanks, George … I didn’t know that.

Must have been an interesting assembly job !!

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 05/03/2023 17:52:41

Sounds like an ideal use of materials.

Does the cast piece just sit there or is it joined in some way to the link?

Hi

Hingley and sons

Surely a member can CNC rout a foam mold or copy?

This image defines the scale.
5 to 6inches thick
**LINK**

.

Unfortunately, John … that link appears to be dead

MichaelG.

Works fine for me.

I give up

MichaelG.

.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/03/2023 08:04:28

Hi Chris, well the above if it was a comedy productions.... and they deflate or bang under the lights 😁 personally make 2 halves ( of the chain link) a , c section closed shape including half of the bar only , then its a two part plaster mould box,which is , filled with builders poly foam... The ends at trimmed off when dry, then it's a gluing up job!the links can be assembled correctly... Inserting the other link before joining the two!..Use plenty of release agent in the plaster mould! Important.Silicon rubber mould is best but expensive for volume...I would clamp the plaster mould as well.

Vic

Ps alternatively just put your superb engine on the stage , coupled to a threshing machine / diorama, and some country girls...

Michael. That's what I got.

Roy

Edit - just realised the irony of using the word 'link' in this instance

Possibly not working for Michael and Roy as they are not logged into Facebook? I don't know, but here's the picture from the link.

Rob

Edited By Grindstone Cowboy on 06/03/2023 09:18:39

Thanks for sharing that, Rob … much appreciated

Your explanation seems entirely reasonable

[except that the Facebook error page speaks with forked-tongue]
.

I can currently think of nothing that would persuade me to ‘belong to’ Facebook.

MichaelG.

I Like you Michael avoided Facebook until recently.
An no you will not find my family photos there. However I am a member of the Fusion 360, the Syil users and owners groups I am not an owner yet, also a local one the "Dandenong Ranges Community", where I live, group and a few special interest Groups.
I find the special interest groups interesting. I just don't participate in the social stuff.