Insulators for N Scale Transmission Towers

[GP-9_Man11786]

I finally took on a project I've been dragging my feet on for a while, building some high-voltage transmission towers. The one's I'm building are the Wooden H Frame variety.

I've built five of them so far and my problem is insulators. I scaveneged some from a Model Power substation kit. However, I'm almost out. Any ideas on what I can use for insulators from here on out?

[doctorwayne]

Walthers offered some power poles in HO which had insulators that might be useable for high voltage lines in N scale.  They may have offered an N scale version, too....

Modelling in HO, I'm not sure if scratchbuilding the insulators in N scale would be feasible, but my suggest would be to punch suitably-sized discs from thin sheet styrene, then cement them together using solvent type cement.  The punch which I use has changeable punches, and usually deforms the discs into a slightly cone-shape - if you cemented the concave sides together as pairs, then joined them, pointy-ends-to-pointy-ends, either with solvent cement or on a wire, you might get an acceptable insulator, although it sounds labour intensive.

Your picture shows the makings of a good-looking scene.  I hope you'll share some views when you get it done.

Wayne

[RR_Mel]

I’m with Wayne on this one,  a 1/16” diameter punch out from a .03” Styrene sheet would produce a 10” x  3½” disk.  Fairly accurate for a 30KV to 50KV insulator disk.

 

 

I also use a punch with changeable dies for such things.

 

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[ROBERT PETRICK]

They make small little tiny nuts and washers for #00-90 machine bolts. O.D. of nuts is 1/16". I just got a bunch for another project.

Brass or stainless steel, but could be painted. You might try these.

Robert

[HO-Velo]

Nice towers.  Tichy has some insulators that measure .107 dia. x approx. .250 in length. 

Regards, Peter

[GP-9_Man11786]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody. And thank you also for the kind words about the towers themselves.