code 30 rail

[bambuko]

I am in discussion with an outfit in UK who claim they could and would produce nickel silver rail to my design (as per pic below):

this design not only addresses the height issue, but also would have narrower (when compared to currently, commercially available code 40) rail head
my initial plan would be to tool code 30 rail
and to make it available to anybody interested, to re-coup (not inconsiderable) tooling costs
the other option is for more keen of you to share tooling costs with me (private message if you are interested)
the question is - would anybody be interested?
I have no cost yet (apart from initial indication of tooling investment needed), it is early days, and you responding doesn't commit you to anything, but your comments would be appreciated
thanks
Chris

[Mark5]

Cool!

[bambuko]

thanks,
that must be a picture of new Atlas code 80 track for N guys  ;D
Chris

[wcfn100]

I doubt interest will be a problem.  It will be all about cost and how fast you would expect to recover your investment.  Maybe it would be a good idea to talk with someone involved with http://www.handlaidtrack.com.  They might be able to give you an idea of what you could expect as for as reselling goes.


I would be interested in contributing to this project, but would need more information.

Good Luck.


Jason

[Mark5]

Code 30 would be of interest to N and Nn3 modelers as well. 

[Chris333]

How is rail made?

I imagine it starts as a nickle rod that is drawn between 2 rolling dies?

I could go for some C30, but will hate the temptation to re-build my whole Z scale layout 

[bambuko]

...I imagine it starts as a nickle rod that is drawn between 2 rolling dies?...

no it is wire drawn as opposed to wire rolled:
http://www.e6.com/e6/page.jsp?pageid=600406065
http://class.et.byu.edu/mfg130/processes/descriptions/deformation/wiredrawing.htm

...I could go for some C30, but will hate the temptation to re-build my whole Z scale layout 

oh, go on, you know you will not be able to resist 
Chris

[sd80mac]

From the description in the links you've provided, wire drawing is only used to reduce the diameter of the wire. You still have to shape it, don't you?

Donnell

...I imagine it starts as a nickle rod that is drawn between 2 rolling dies?...

no it is wire drawn as opposed to wire rolled:
http://www.e6.com/e6/page.jsp?pageid=600406065
http://class.et.byu.edu/mfg130/processes/descriptions/deformation/wiredrawing.htm

Chris

[DKS]

From the description in the links you've provided, wire drawing is only used to reduce the diameter of the wire. You still have to shape it, don't you?

Donnell

...I imagine it starts as a nickle rod that is drawn between 2 rolling dies?...

no it is wire drawn as opposed to wire rolled:
http://www.e6.com/e6/page.jsp?pageid=600406065
http://class.et.byu.edu/mfg130/processes/descriptions/deformation/wiredrawing.htm

Chris

Yes, that's where the tooling comes in. Once the wire is down to the proper size, a special die is used to shape the wire, through which it is drawn.

[bambuko]

...wire drawing is only used to reduce the diameter of the wire. You still have to shape it, don't you?
Donnell

these are just simplified explanations of general principle
the shape or cross-section of the wire is determined by the shape of the die

from one of the manufacturers
"...In the cold drawing process, standard shape rod is pulled through dies which have been contoured to the exact shape of the part you need. The drawing process changes the shape or reduces the size of the metal. Several passes may be required through smaller and smaller dies depending on the final shape, or the complexity of the finished product. Sometimes annealing may be required between the drawing operations to restore the ductility of the metal..."

apologies for any confusion
Chris