Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

detail associates ho lift rings--really tiny!

2039 views
36 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 6:13 PM

thank you for that info peter.

thank you rich for that tip. the rings are really small, i would probably break them which is what i did to the original p2k lift rings on my e8 when i removed the paint from the roof.  i think i will just go back to making my own lift rings out of thin wire bent around a pin.  doesn't seem like a difficult project.  then the stem will be as thin as the ring, and round.

like so:   O---

everyone thank you again for all your help and advice!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 5:24 PM

KV Models offers a bulk pac of etched metal lift rings: #KV-1012H.  Appears some of the same rings came with their handrail stanchion kit KV-313H, O.D. approx. .037

Regards, Peter

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 5:19 PM

Mister Mikado

hello rich--update.  it's a never ending story.  just received bli's lift rings and the circles match the proto 2000's BUT--instead of a thin mounting pin coming out of them there is a thick stem, looks almost square, so i would have to drill out all 12 of my e8 mounting holes extra wide.  there will be a noticable and messy gap.  talk about putting a square peg into a round hole!

was hoping rick had sent me the spare proto 2000 rings he said he would--now it's back to "square" one.  -rob

 

 

Rob, how about holding a lift ring with a pair of tweezers in one hand and using a strip of sandpaper in the other hand to sand and reshape the square shaft into a more rounded one?  Don't give up yet, particularly since the ring is the correct size.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 4:27 PM

hello rich--update.  it's a never ending story.  just received bli's lift rings and the circles match the proto 2000's BUT--instead of a thin mounting pin coming out of them there is a thick stem, looks almost square, so i would have to drill out all 12 of my e8 mounting holes extra wide.  there will be a noticable and messy gap.  talk about putting a square peg into a round hole!

was hoping rick had sent me the spare proto 2000 rings he said he would--now it's back to "square" one.  -rob

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 11:40 AM

Mister Mikado

rich--bli parts just replied to my followup and they are sending me a set of lift rings, but they may be too small as well, i prefer the original life-like rings even though they are oversize.  so i may end up making my own out of wire.  thank you for your concern!  -rob

 

Thanks for that follow-up,Rob.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 11:36 AM

rich--bli parts just replied to my followup and they are sending me a set of lift rings, but they may be too small as well, i prefer the original life-like rings even though they are oversize.  so i may end up making my own out of wire.  thank you for your concern!  -rob

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 4:12 AM

Mister Mikado

 

 
dti406

 

Since I replace all Proto Plastic rings with metal replacement I have tons of the plastic ones in my scrap box if you would like some.

Rick Jesionowski

 

 

 

 

hello rick, i sent my address to your email 10 days ago for you to mail me the lift rings you offered, but they still haven't arrived.  (bli never contacted me)  i emailed you again.  hope you are ok. -rob

 

Call BLI back. They said that they would sell you what you need.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 12:06 AM

dti406

 

Since I replace all Proto Plastic rings with metal replacement I have tons of the plastic ones in my scrap box if you would like some.

Rick Jesionowski

 

 

hello rick, i sent my address to your email 10 days ago for you to mail me the lift rings you offered, but they still haven't arrived.  (bli never contacted me)  i emailed you again.  hope you are ok. -rob

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, August 23, 2024 6:10 PM

Mister Mikado

 

 
richhotrain

 

The parts people were quick, helpful and very communicative.

 Rich

 

 

 

 

rich bli parts got back to me this morning.  you're right about them

being helpful!  they don't normally support a non-bli loco but

they are making an exception and i'm waiting for a price.

very kind people there!   -rob

ps:  rick is mailing me some proto 2000 rings as well.  the kindness and generousity of the forum members here is astounding, God bless you all.

 

Excellent news! 

Good luck.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Friday, August 23, 2024 5:20 PM

richhotrain

 

The parts people were quick, helpful and very communicative.

 Rich

 

 

rich bli parts got back to me this morning.  you're right about them

being helpful!  they don't normally support a non-bli loco but

they are making an exception and i'm waiting for a price.

very kind people there!   -rob

ps:  rick is mailing me some proto 2000 rings as well.  the kindness and generosity of the forum members here is astounding, God bless you all.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Friday, August 23, 2024 11:53 AM

maxman

 

 
dti406
I have since found some from Yarmouth Scale Models which I now use exclusively.

 

$40 minimum order, plus shipping?  Ouch.

Anyway, we have one individual who feels that the DA parts are oversize, and one individual who feels they are undersize.  Why can't we get along? LOL

 

Yes, but I manage to get to the $40 due to all the unique parts he offers like metal sill steps, ladders, etc. Did not use to be that way but US and Canadian postal regulations mandated the change to the $40 minimum.

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Friday, August 23, 2024 10:43 AM

thank you for your offer rick, you are a godsend! yes i prefer the proto 2000 lift rings (HO) -- i need to replace all 12 in my e8 that i messed up after an unsuccessful paint job.  the loco is a prr brown but whatever color you can send i will appreciate.

i have a lot of spare parts too--anything you are looking for, please let me know and i'll ship them out to you! 

please email me: rindsight "AT" aol.com and i'll give you my home address. 

with gratitude,

rob

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, August 23, 2024 10:38 AM

dti406
I have since found some from Yarmouth Scale Models which I now use exclusively.

$40 minimum order, plus shipping?  Ouch.

Anyway, we have one individual who feels that the DA parts are oversize, and one individual who feels they are undersize.  Why can't we get along? LOL

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Friday, August 23, 2024 8:36 AM

Proto lift rings are huge compared to the prototype as are the Detail Associates or Cal-Scale wire lift rings. DA used to make cast brass ones that were much smaller and I really liked but I have not seen them in years. I have since found some from Yarmouth Scale Models which I now use exclusively.

https://www.yarmouthmodelworks.com/index.php/ModelDetailParts/Miscellaneous

Here are some engines with replacement rings for plastic or non-existent rings.

This is either the DA or Cal-Scale wire lift rings.

Here is one with the Yarmouth Scale Models lift rings.

Since I replace all Proto Plastic rings with metal replacement I have tons of the plastic ones in my scrap box if you would like some.

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 11:59 PM

sorry guys, my eyes ain't what they used to be--the proto 2000 lift rings are actually 1/32"--1/16" is incorrect--i edit-corrected my posts containing this error.  the DA rings measure 1/48" and to me that's noticably too small.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 22, 2024 8:13 PM

Mister Mikado

 

 
richhotrain

 

 

Nuts, I heard back the same day.

Here is the email address that I used.

partsorders@broadway-limited.com

Rich

 
 

 

 

thanks rich, i will try it. i used their mail form letter.

 

The parts people were quick, helpful and very communicative.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 8:12 PM

richhotrain

 

 

Nuts, I heard back the same day.

Here is the email address that I used.

partsorders@broadway-limited.com

Rich

 
 

thanks rich, i will try it. i used their mail form letter.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 8:09 PM

you are correct maxman.  detail associates labels their lift ring    "3 1/2 inch eye bolt lift ring" which is roughly 1/32 inch in HO scale but the da's measure 1/48" and look silly and puny on an HO diesel roof--you can hardly see 'em. 

now we've all gotten so used to oversized kadee #5s over the decades and never mind the fat air hose coming out of them.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 22, 2024 8:07 PM

Mister Mikado

no reply yet rich

 

Nuts, I heard back the same day.

Here is the email address that I used.

partsorders@broadway-limited.com

Rich

 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, August 22, 2024 7:33 PM

Mister Mikado
and the ring od measures 1/16". that's more like it.

Really?  A lift ring is basically an eye bolt.  1/16 inch rounds up to about 6 inches in HO.  Sounds pretty hefty for something that needs to lift some sheet metal.

Wonder what the dimensions of a real diesel lift ring is?

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:30 PM

some are brass, overmod, but cal scale fashions their #501 from .012" wire

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:27 PM

Overmod

I thought lift rings were etched from brass sheet...

 

The ones that I got from BLI were plastic.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:27 PM

no reply yet rich

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:20 PM

I thought lift rings were etched from brass sheet...

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:16 PM

Mister Mikado

thanks chuck! an ebayer has a photo up of some cal scale wire lift rings next to a ruler and the ring od measures 1/16". that's more like it.  the detail associates rings are 1/32", too small.

 

Did BLI indicate the size of their lift rings?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 22, 2024 6:14 PM

Mister Mikado

what the heck--they are manufactured from wire turned into a loop with a stem--i could make 'em myself.  all the online sellers charge more for shipping than the item itself.  love your help guys just the same.

 

I would think that it would be challenging to make them yourself. But, if you do, let us know how they turn out.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 5:55 PM

what the heck--they are manufactured from wire turned into a loop with a stem--i could make 'em myself.  all the online sellers charge more for shipping than the item itself.  love your help guys just the same.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 400 posts
Posted by Mister Mikado on Thursday, August 22, 2024 5:38 PM

thanks chuck! an ebayer has a photo up of some cal scale wire lift rings next to a ruler and the ring od measures about 1/32". that's the size of the proto 2000 rings.  the detail associates rings are about 1/48", too small.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 716 posts
Posted by trwroute on Thursday, August 22, 2024 3:42 PM

I'm pretty sure that the Cal Scale lift rings are slightly larger than the DA parts.  I love the DA stuff, but those lift rings have gotten ridiculously expensive and you get half as many in a package.  I can't imagine how many I've flung across the room over the years.  I need to learn to be more careful!

Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!