MU Hoses for Atlas models?

[Kuchler10]

What does everyone do for MU hoses? I would like to add them to a few of my Atlas locomotives, but don't know where I would find them or what I would use to make some.

Thanks

[wpsnts]

BLMA now Atlas.
Precision Scale
Make your own using fine wire.

[dmidkiff]

Miniatures by Eric also has them.

I believe fine wire looks best, I use 0.008" brass wire and flatten the end for the connection.



Doug

[jpwisc]

Train-Worx has the ones I prefer to use. They are just the right size and flexibility. They come in set #101

http://www.train-worx.com/details.parts.htm

[ednadolski]

I prefer 0.006" dia. brass wire.  It's easy to form and flatten the ends.  While more work than etched parts, you can get quite close to scale size and also avoid the "flat" look:




One trick for wire is to use a small enough drill bit for the pilot holes, since scale-sized wire will swim in the hole from a #80 bit.


Ed

[Spades]

All of the above and

Kato

http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-1078&keywords=MU&maxhits=25&go=Search&bool=AND

http://www.katousa.com/images/934080.jpg

[Kuchler10]

Thanks for the input everyone. I might give the Trainworx brand a shot first, then go to wire if I am unsatisfied. All of those models look fantastic!

[mmagliaro]

Those are outstanding!
I like .006" or .008" wire for things like this too.  What you said about the #80 bit is true.
I just count on the epoxy that I put in the hole to fill it so you don't see a "swimming" big hole around
the hoses where they go into the body.

Do you do something else?  Are you using #82 or #85 bits?

I prefer 0.006" dia. brass wire.  It's easy to form and flatten the ends.  While more work than etched parts, you can get quite close to scale size and also avoid the "flat" look:




One trick for wire is to use a small enough drill bit for the pilot holes, since scale-sized wire will swim in the hole from a #80 bit.


Ed

[ednadolski]

Are you using #82 or #85 bits?

I used #94 bits for the 0.005" diameter grabirons, however on that model the pilots are actually a phosphor bronze overlay, which already had the holes etched in it for the MU hoses and other details.  Drilling PB with such tiny bits would be an exercise in futility, but they work OK on the softer plastic of the shell.  (BTW I don't use the carbide bits any more in that size since they are extremely delicate.)

Ed