Vacuum pipe suppliers?

[Southerngooner]

Hi

I am looking for some upright vacuum pipes for a few steam/electric loco models under construction, and have exhausted my supplies of these from NGS kits/loco goodie bags/N Brass. I can only find some packs of whitemetal ones from Langley which are a bit clunky and are only sold in a range of types, of which I only need of each pack, so not a cheap way of getting them. I donated a few of my stock to @martyn recently as he was out too.

Does any know of anyone producing these from 3D prints, or are any of our 3D printers willing to design and make some? I'm sure I can't be the only person in this predicament....

Dave

[crewearpley40]

https://www.trainshop.co.uk/building-accessories-n-/6384-assorted-vacuum-pipes-n-scale-1-148th.html

These are Langley

Dave

Then wondering if Alastair at macs models in this forum maybe worth approaching

[Southerngooner]

Hi Chris

Yes, these are the Langley ones that aren't very good, but all that seems to be out there now, hence the 3D print request.

Dave

[crewearpley40]

Hi Chris

Yes, these are the Langley ones that aren't very good, but all that seems to be out there now, hence the 3D print request.

Dave

I knew the issue is the suppliers and hopefully Alastair or one of the 3d modellers maybe able to help.
Maybe BH enterprises

Sorry I thought I had a couple of spares but if i find them
Your welcome

https://www.macsmodels.online/

[Papyrus]

BHE list 3 different sorts of vacuum pipe, wire or white metal, catalogue numbers BHE304, 411 and 505. Not sure whether they would suit your purpose.

Cheers,

Chris

[Ensign Elliott]

Dave, I might have a few in my bits box. Which exact type are you after? I have all sorts. Send me an email if its easier.

The Langley stand at shows tend to have all the little white metal parts loose in separate trays. They supply tweezers and a tray so you can pick out the bits you need. That used to be my go to place for vacuum pipes in the early 2000s before bits bags started being included with locos.

[njee20]

Happy to have a look at 3D printing them Dave - drop me a PM if you want to 

[icairns]

I use the Peco Collet loco and tender vacuum pipes available here from Peter's Spares:

https://www.petersspares.com/index.jsp?searchStr=30007B%2FC

Two different styles (one of each) in each packet.

I have found them commendably fine and easy to use.

Ian

[JanW]

It's relatively easy to make them yourself.
I find that sourcing such a part is harder than making it.
Below an example of a hose I made recently, under the 7 of the loco number.
I use the core of a single strand copper wire and wind a single strand of very thin flexible wire around it.
First few turns are fixed with some solder (sparingly) and a drop of flux, then I wind the thin wire and fix the end again with a little solder. Then cut the remainder of the thin wire and you have a hose.

[RBTKraisee]

I've got these from my County kit.

I'm sending you some replacement bogies soon, so I can put a few of these in if they'd help?

Ross.

[martyn]

The lower version is the sort Dave @Southerngooner will be looking for. The top version seems to be a peculiarity of the GWR.

As has been suggested, I have used those available from Peter's spares for the Peco Collet, but again, two are the GWR curved style.

I had thought about the spares available from the same shop for the Dapol M7, Terrier, and others; they seem nearer the correct style (including Westinghouse pipes for some of my GE section locos), but haven't actually bought any yet.

Thanks for the replies.

Martyn

[Southerngooner]

Thanks for all the replies so far. The Peco ones are not quite right for SR stock as @martyn has said, while that made by @JanW is lovely, but a bit time consuming! The lower one in @RBTKraisee  post is perfect, and will do both the KA and the Boosters. There must be others out there looking for these so maybe either @RBTKraisee or @njee20 could produce these  if we worked out what was needed? There are a few different types of course.....

Dave

[njee20]

I have the advantage of geography, but if Ross is sending bits to you anyway (and he has it drawn up) that may be easier. Whatever works! 

[ntpntpntp]

If you know someone who plays electric guitar (or a local guitar shop?) ask for the spare ends of their smaller wire-wound strings after they've fitted a new set. Perfect for bending up into vacuum pipes

Back in the 70s  I fitted pipes to some of my locos, they were definitely made from wire-wound guitar strings.  I think they may have been by GEM. 

My son plays bass mainly and those strings are a bit thick!  He does play guitar too. I have a bunch of old strings ready for creating pipes in various scales.

[martyn]

I used that guitar string trick in 4mm, and I think my very first detailing attempts in N a very long time ago, on Minitrix 'Britannias'.

There was a suggested size in an article which I read which inspired me to do these; was it a G-string (!)? I've no idea after 40 years or so.

Martyn