Cheap weight material for HO Freight and Passenger cars.

[robengland]

An acquaintance of mine has been casting lead fishing sinkers weekly at home for 25 years. Recently tested for lead in his blood: normal levels. Don't file it, sand it or smelt it; wash your hands after playing with it; and you should be OK. We used to be too blase about substances in the past. Now I think sometimes we go too far the other way.
How about depleted uranium? It has been done at least once in the past, in a HO diesel

[Anonymous]

For weight I've been using shotgun shot and mixing it with white glue mixed with water and alcohol. I was able to get 10 pounds of the stuff for less than $10. You can get it in lead or steel, and it's a LOT cheaper by the pound than BB's. For the best load density you want the smallest shot (largest shot number). #8's or 9's are good.

As for the dangers with lead, lead is "safe" as long as you don't ingest it! Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands after using it.

The proper weighting of cars is important in getting reliable operation of your cars. As I remember the rule of thumb is 1 ounce plus 1/2 ounce per inch of car weight for HO scale cars.

For coal cars, the best I've found is filling the car with coal and gluing it in place with the white glue mizture. What's better in modeling a coal train than hauling actual coal?? It makes the cars heay, but is that so bad?

Mark in Utah

[AntonioFP45]

By the way,

Guys, don't most Athearn Blue Box cars use a steel weight underneath their boxcars? Doesn't seem to cause any problems.

I ran trains with a friend back in the 70s. During switching operations trains ran smoothly over the magnets. When running at slow speeds, there was no hesitation or lurching from freight cars that had the factory steel weight from Athearn.

Remember, the Kadee uncoupling magnet that's placed into the track is not very powerful! It only has enough magnetism to move and uncouple the knuckle coupler trip pins..........that's it.

I'm continuing to fill my Center Flow and Covered Hoppers with BB shots. It's been working out well!

Peace!

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake
As you know weight is a direct result from the magnetic pull of the earth. If you have a magnet mounted between tracks when a car using steel or other magnetic material passes over the magnet it becomes momentarily "heavier" due to the magnetic pull.

IMHO, if you spend the time to weight your cars so they are the "correct" scale weight, then pass them over a magnet which will make them weigh as much as 2-3 times more, it seems useless to spend the time and money adding the weight in the first place.

um, no, weight is not a result of the magnetic pull of the Earth--if this were the case, non-ferrous materials (like you and I) would be weightless! Weight is a function of gravity, which is a fundamentally different type of force than electromagnetism. The Earth also has a magnetic field (which is why compasses work) due to the large amount of iron spinning around in the Earth's core, but that doesn't have anything to do with gravity.

Your comment about magnets making things "heavier" doesn't replace weight added to the cars--this would only make sense if the entire underside of the layout was magnetized, which would probably have some pretty serious consequences for metal objects in the room, like electric motors in your engines, your hobby tools, your kid sister's braces, etcetera. Most people who use magnets under the track only use them as uncouplers in a few select places, rather than all over--so magnets certainly wouldn't replace weights in cars. Also, the action of magnets is not to make things heavier (gravity and electromagnetic force are not the same, remember) but to draw ferrous objects towards it--the car would be tugged toward the magnet when approaching it and tugged back in its direction when moving away from it.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lyctus

I have opted for the expensive sheet lead option available from a hardware store which looks after builders. The lead is used for roof flashing. I use it despite the dire warnings of brain damage 'cos it don't worry the under track magnets which I use for Kadee couplers. I do wash up after a cutting session to get lead off my hands. I paint the cut/drilled sheets and store 'em for use as I build cars. I would consider other form of weights if convenient/non-magnetic stuff was readily and economically available.
Lead is a dangerous material. Don't use it without being prepared to wash up after handling. Why do car manufacturers use magnetic material in their cars ? Bugs me that I have to use alternative stuff to reach recommended car weight.

Or you could just use disposable, latex gloves like the Docs do.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Lyctus,

Lead is dangerous as I used to work with it in the transit business. I was happy when alternatives were adopted!

What problems are you having with the Kadee track magnets? Basically, cars loaded with steel metal weights shouldn't interfere with the magnet at all if the weights are secure, be it flat or ball bearing.

Could you give us some details please? I would like to know of any potential problems.

You're right, lead is hazardous/dangerous and magnetic material does not interfere with the intended use of the magnet.

My [2c] ...

As you know weight is a direct result from the magnetic pull of the earth. If you have a magnet mounted between tracks when a car using steel or other magnetic material passes over the magnet it becomes momentarily "heavier" due to the magnetic pull.

IMHO, if you spend the time to weight your cars so they are the "correct" scale weight, then pass them over a magnet which will make them weigh as much as 2-3 times more, it seems useless to spend the time and money adding the weight in the first place.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lyctus

Why do car manufacturers use magnetic material in their cars ? Bugs me that I have to use alternative stuff to reach recommended car weight.

Why do you have to use alternative stuff to reach recommended car weight?

Antonio said that BB gun bb's work well and are reasonably priced. BB's are made of steel (or they used to be), which can become magnetized like the end of a screw driver.

I thought lead was the preferred material as it is heavier for the mass, i.e. smaller pieces/amounts could be used to achieve the desired weight, and it is not attracted to magnetic uncouplers.

If you don't use magnetic uncouplers why not use steel bb's, as Antonio does, or some other material that is safer than lead?

I posted in a similar subject that, "you can get lead shot from your local gun shop". However, due to the hazards of lead, they also sell steel bb shot.

I use lead shot because of the weight/mass thingy and I use magnetic uncouplers. The benefits of using shotgun bb shot, lead or steal, is; 1. you can get smaller sized bb's which can be hidden easier in the under frame of rolling stock, and 2. It is cheaper than using pennies. The down side to buying shotgun reloading bb's is that in order to get it priced lower than using pennies you must buy a lifetime supply - 25 lb bag or more!!

See similar post "Car Weights" http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14065

[AntonioFP45]

Lyctus,

Lead is not very healthy to handle as I used to work with it in the transit business. I was happy when alternatives were adopted!

What problems are you having with the Kadee track magnets? Basically, cars loaded with steel metal weights shouldn't interfere with the magnet at all if the weights are secure, be it flat or ball bearing.

Could you give us some details please? I would like to know of any potential problems.

[lyctus]

I have opted for the expensive sheet lead option available from a hardware store which looks after builders. The lead is used for roof flashing. I use it despite the dire warnings of brain damage 'cos it don't worry the under track magnets which I use for Kadee couplers. I do wash up after a cutting session to get lead off my hands. I paint the cut/drilled sheets and store 'em for use as I build cars. I would consider other form of weights if convenient/non-magnetic stuff was readily and economically available.
Lead is a dangerous material. Don't use it without being prepared to wash up after handling. Why do car manufacturers use magnetic material in their cars ? Bugs me that I have to use alternative stuff to reach recommended car weight.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BUDLINER

why do I use nickels

Okay, I'll guess...

• You don't like the color of pennies.
• You want your cars to be worth more.
• Nickels are bigger than pennies and bigger is better.
• You like to add more than 2¢ worth.
• You like Jefferson's profile picture more than Lincoln's.
• You prefer the profile pictures that face left rather than to the right.
• You like Jefferson's house more than the Lincoln Memorial.
• You prefer metal alloys over pure metals.
• You think 3rd is a higher ranking than 16th. Jefferson was the 3rd president and Lincoln was the 16th.
• The Jefferson nickel has been minted since 1938, the first Lincoln penny was issued in 1909, the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and you think newer (1938) is better than older (1909).
• You prefer "E PLURIBUS UNUM" a the top of the coin.
• You think "A penny for your thoughts..." sounds cheap.
• Your rich and don't know what to do with all your nickels.

[:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]

[Budliner]

why do I use nickels

[rambo1]

You can even use weights that balance the tires on your car just becareful to wash your hands after handeling them they are lead! rambo1....

[dano99a]

I use penny's or a sling shot pellet.
Hey, it work's... [:)]

[emdgp92]

I use the weights meant to align wheels on cars. You can find them near any pothole..and we dont' have a shortage of those here in PA :D

[Anonymous]

I've used BBs and small fishing sinkers-BBs are much cheaper-and attached them to the floor of the car w/ slow setting gap filling CA (super glue). If I need a thick layer I'll use 5-minute epoxy instead. This also works if anyone is building a model airplane w/tricycle landing gear-usually without any added weight , the plane will lift its nose wheel and sit on its butt; some bbs and CA or epoxy in the nose cures that quickly. I've also used automobile wheel balancing weights-both the clip on type and the newer stick on type for alloy wheels. Tire stores usually throw away any weights removed from a customer's car when the wheels are being rebalanced. Usually they're free for the asking. They are made out of a very soft alloy and can be easily rimmed to suit your needs. Often they will have the amount they weigh embosed on them, too.

[mvlandsw]

For covered hoppers or any closed car there is any even cheaper weight. I have used sand held in place with white glue. It takes a few days for the glue to harden but the weight is free. This works for loaded open hoppers too if you don't want to fill the entire car with the load material. Put the sand or even common dirt in the bottom and add a top layer of the expensive coal.

[Anonymous]

Well, I had the same problem with Athearn cars so I wadded up some solder placed it on top of the metal plate and let a few drops of Gorilla glue flow over it. It glued solid overnight, metal to metal.
Bryant

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Everyone,

I've read the threads from a few weeks ago covering weights. Very good input from many of you all.

Yesterday, I went to WAL-MART and from the Sporting Goods section, I found and purchased a carton of: DAISY 1,500 Premium Grade BBs. They come in a small, dark blue milk carton. This little carton is HEAVY! Cost $2.52! Since these BBs are "zinc plated", rust won't be an issue. IMHO, that's a pretty good deal.

These BBs are excellent car weight material! Today, I took apart one of my 85ft. Rivorossi passenger cars. Rivorossis, while great looking cars, are notoriously "featherweight". I filled in all of the pockets in the car floor with the BBs. I put the car on my test track. Results: Smoother rolling and no more bouncing. I plan on doing the same to my Athearn Center Flow and Covered Hoppers. Only other material needed is Elmer's glue mixed with water to hold the BBs in place.

In the past, I've often found in many cases that the flat steel weights from Athearn and MDC are not enough , so combined with the BBs (if there are floor pockets), it can work out pretty well! 

Hope this helps some of you going through similar car weight problems!

Peace out and God Bless!