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Post by Rob Albritton on May 31, 2016 14:28:32 GMT -5
Hey Gang,
Quick question - what do you guys use for Z scale telephone poles???
I'm finishing up a Z-Bend Track module and wanted to add some utility poles (with some EZ Line wires) but my old source for telephone poles (BL products) is gone!
Best,
-Rob(A)
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Post by rvn2001 on May 31, 2016 20:28:03 GMT -5
Rob,
Micron Art still makes telephone/utility poles. You should be able to find a good variety on Shapeways too. Of course, the Shapeways stuff is 3D printed and might tend to bend under the EZ line. I don't have any utility/telephone poles on any of my modules.
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Post by zdave on May 31, 2016 20:56:09 GMT -5
It looks like zscalemonster has several options, including this: www.zscalemonster.com/miller_eng/scenery/scenery.htmSorry, Rob, but I haven't gotten to the stage of adding poles to my layout, yet, so I can't vouch for any particular option. Anthony at ZSM always gives me good service, though. |
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Post by gerd on May 31, 2016 21:01:26 GMT -5
Weinert in Germany offers great telephone poles, no idea if they are sold in US or who in Germany is willing to ship overseas. No. 6884 in their catalogue.
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Post by BAZman on Jun 1, 2016 15:23:05 GMT -5
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Post by cwrr on Jun 1, 2016 23:38:52 GMT -5
I use the Micron Art ones, with a dab of white and/or green paint for insulators on the cross arms. They look nice, and easy to make and strong too.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jun 2, 2016 4:20:07 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help guys - I'm going with the Shapeways poles first, and let you all know how it goes
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jun 15, 2016 18:38:55 GMT -5
Hi Guys, An update on the Telephone Poles: I found one last pack of the old B-L Products and put them on the new Feather River inspired module, along with some E Z Line for wires. While I liked the effect, I found that the EZ Line is almost impossible to see (I used fine gray) so while it may be prototypical, I don't know if it was worth the effort. I tried a few different approaches to attaching the EZ Line to the telephone poles, but what I found best was to wrap the line around the arm once, and then put a tiny drop of CA (Crazy Glue) on it to lock it in place. What I found more fun was placing a Z scale fisherman on the river. The EZ Line was perfect for that application! I did order, and just received the Southern Scale telephone poles and the Malkowski telephone poles from Shapeways. Just on looks the Southern Scale poles are too big - they look almost N scale to me - but they have great details and features. I really won't be able to tell until I get some on a module and put a Z scale figure up against them. More on that later. For now, some pictures of the work to date. Enjoy -Rob(A)    |
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Post by strummer on Jun 15, 2016 19:25:49 GMT -5
I think everything turned out real nice...
Mark in Oregon
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Post by markm on Jun 15, 2016 23:36:14 GMT -5
Great looking module, really has the feel of the prototype. But aren't what you have power poles? All the telephone/telegraph poles I've seen have multiple lines on multiple cross members.
The actual poles can have such a wide range of circumference I found the only way to judge (or build) telephone poles is by the cross member: 5X5 or 6X6.
A number of years ago I acquired some 5 mil aluminum wire used for semiconductor wire bonding. A little large, but I liked how the light would bounce off it. Used a dab of almost set-up model glue to form the insulator.
That's one heck of a fly rod!
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jun 16, 2016 7:42:06 GMT -5
Great looking module, really has the feel of the prototype. But aren't what you have power poles? All the telephone/telegraph poles I've seen have multiple lines on multiple cross members. The actual poles can have such a wide range of circumference I found the only way to judge (or build) telephone poles is by the cross member: 5X5 or 6X6. A number of years ago I acquired some 5 mil aluminum wire used for semiconductor wire bonding. A little large, but I liked how the light would bounce off it. Used a dab of almost set-up model glue to form the insulator. That's one heck of a fly rod! Many thanks! Yes, they are more like power poles - I really just wanted something line side. The main thing was finding something that would stand up to the EZ Line without bending. The fly rod is a little over sized, but not much, and it needs to be a bit larger than scale in order to make the effect work in person. I tried smaller ones, but they just looked wrong - even though they measured out correctly. The Fly Rod is just a piece of bent steel music wire - again I needed to find something strong that would stand up to the EZ Line tension. The trick was getting everything in the right place. 1) Pre bend a piece of music wire for the rod - dip the fly rod lower end in CA - then attach to the fisherman's hand - let it dry 2) cut a short length of EZ line 3) dip other end of fly rod in CA - then touch one end of the pre-cut EZ line. Let it dry, then trim excess EZ line off fly rod tip 4) position the complete fisherman, fly rod and EZ line on the layout. Lay the line out like he is casting from the shore, then put a drop of CA in the water on top of the end of the EZ line. That secures the line to the water first. 5) put two drops of CA on the fisherman's feet, and stand him up on the shore line. His exact location is dictated by the tension on the fishing line - not where you want him on the shore, so move him around with tweezers until the line is tight, but not so tight that it puts stress on the fishing rod. 6) plant his feet on the shore and hold in place for a few seconds - done! enjoy -Rob(A) |
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Post by zscalehobo on Jun 16, 2016 11:28:32 GMT -5
A number of years ago I acquired some 5 mil aluminum wire used for semiconductor wire bonding. A little large, but I liked how the light would bounce off it. Used a dab of almost set-up model glue to form the insulator. The aluminum wire manufacturers make 3mil (75um) and 4mil (100um) wires as well ... |
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Post by Guba on Jun 18, 2016 12:55:49 GMT -5
For telephone poles I use the dried stems from an ash tree's leaves. They come in various sizes and once dried they have small striations that look as if they will hold a good wash of watered down dark gray or black paint. The only down side is, it's hard to find a truly straight one. I use slightly bent ones too, even some of the real poles are bent now and then.
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