Source for Tungsten square rod...

[sizemore]

As it states looking for a source for Tungsten square or rectangular rod along the lines of Plastruct or Evergreen strip. Trying to add some weight to some RDC's I have, and Tungsten strip would be the perfect application underneath in the open portions of the frame opposed to inside the carbody. Not interested in Pinewood Derby stuff or Tungsten putty.

Thanks,
The S.

[Chris333]

I've not seen square, but you can find round welding rod.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=tungsten+rod&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[timwatson]

Try the pinewood derby car weights from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Use a diamond cutting wheel in a Dremel to cut it.

[peteski]

Try the pinewood derby car weights from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Use a diamond cutting wheel in a Dremel to cut it.

Um, what about Not interested in Pinewood Derby stuff or Tungsten putty.  you didn't understand?   

[C855B]

(Oops. Never mind. What I found was tungsten carbide.  )

[nkalanaga]

No, you really don't want tungsten carbide.  Not only isn't it dense enough, but I have no idea how you'd cut it...

[Mike C]

 Will this help ? http://www.tungsten.com/alloy.html ....Mike

[sizemore]

I've not seen square, but you can find round welding rod.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=tungsten+rod&_sacat=0&_from=R40

That might work! Still hoping to find square strip first for a cleaner fit, if that makes sense. Again still an option.

Will this help ? http://www.tungsten.com/alloy.html ....Mike

I found that long ago and had forgotten about it, thanks for the refresh! Just worried they'll want tooth and nail for something "custom". I'll email them tomorrow to find out how many teeth or nails they want

Thanks Guys!
The S.

[Chris333]

That is the same place that milled my 44tonner tungsten weights.

[timwatson]

Totally missed that (nothing like being called out for an ovesight) ... 

Um, what about Not interested in Pinewood Derby stuff or Tungsten putty.  you didn't understand?   

Like I said you CAN get small rectangled shapes from tungsten with the method I described AND with the tungsten I mentioned. 

Pinewood derby tungsten cut with a Dremel diamond blade. by nScaleRail, on Flickr

Removes a$$hat.

Here is the cutting blade you need. http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=545

[VonRyan]

Hmmm.... custom milling, eh?

My brass H10 could use a bit more weight... wonder how much they charge... I'd like to have the stock weight copied into tungsten, but probably would have to the engine just to pay for the new weight.

[gary60s]

A bit pricy, but I've used this stuff with great success.

http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30079088/golfmechanix-high-density-swing-weighting-tungsten-powder---4oz

You can mix it with white glue to a paste like consistency and apply to the smallest shell cavities. You only need about 3/4 ounce per loco to double (in my case) pulling power.

[mmagliaro]

Beware using tungsten powder or any of the tungsten "putty" products.
The density is much less than pure tungsten, enough so that you would do just as well to just use
lead, which can be crushed, sliced, and easily formed into custom weights.
It's true that a powder can completely fill a void better than you ever could with a weight.
But be sure that a simple lead weight, even if it doesn't completely fill the void, doesn't actually
weigh MORE than the powder/glue mix.   In my case, I almost always found that filling up, say, a dome
with tungsten powder, and adding a few drops of glue to fuse it all together and keep it there,
was not as good as just using a little slug of lead.

And now I have a question.  I know you said "no Pinewood Derby", but I have to ask, "Why not?"
Lots of Pinewood places sell tungsten in many convenient forms (cubes, spheres, little disks, nice flat
plates, etc).  Why is that not a good way to solve your weighting problem?

[Zox]

Beware using tungsten powder or any of the tungsten "putty" products.
The density is much less than pure tungsten, enough so that you would do just as well to just use
lead, which can be crushed, sliced, and easily formed into custom weights.

I settled in to do a whole bunch of math, then found out these folks had already done it for me:

http://www.tungstenheavypowder.com/Tungsten_Heavy_Powder/Tungsten_Powder_Applications/tungsten_powder_applications.html

A quick summary follows:

Pure lead has a density of 11.34 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). Most "lead" available on the market is actually an alloy with a density under 9 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). However, unless you use the proper specified polymer as the binder, you'll only achieve about half that (4.5 g/cc) with powdered tungsten.

With the proper binder, you can achieve 11 g/cc with the tungsten powder, which is roughly the same as actual pure lead.

Tungsten powder, $40/pound: http://www.amazon.com/Hireko-Tungsten-Powder/dp/B005S1I8EG
99.9% pure lead, $2.50/pound: http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/leadingotpure.htm

[Chris333]

Preach on brother Zox.

Or +1 as the kids say.