going Soundtraxx in BLI t1

[Cajonpassfan]

Yeah, the 2-8-2’s are truly incredible... by far the best running steam I have, and I’ve been running the eitch out of them. Long trains, up 2.2% grades, double headed. So far, so good...very impressive.
And I too am reluctant to praise them lest I jinx them😬
Where do you get your tungsten rods...I’m looking for a supplier.
Thanks, Otto

[propmeup1]

I grabbed them from the weld shop where i use to work.  I since then left there and work for Timken /Philadelphia Gear. We do not have a weld shop here but i would suggest go to a local welding supplier or maybe on line using McMaster-Carr but i can't say for sure about them. I too will need to find a new supplier.  I found room next to the fire box sides and up in the boiler top.   
    I'll have to pop a shell off one of the F units to see how much room there is.
The T1s pull like a horse too. 15 smooth sides with 3 mail box cars and a standard box car with a track clean dragging on the bottom of it. Oh I forgot about a crew transport caboose right behind the engine, so 20 all together.  One engine will pull that load at the same speed step as one leading but not coupled at the same speed step and the uncoupled hardly wants to pull away.  But i like double heading them anyway.

[Steveruger45]

Yeah, the 2-8-2’s are truly incredible... by far the best running steam I have, and I’ve been running the eitch out of them. Long trains, up 2.2% grades, double headed. So far, so good...very impressive.
And I too am reluctant to praise them lest I jinx them😬
Where do you get your tungsten rods...I’m looking for a supplier.
Thanks, Otto

Found some tungsten carbide on a certain auction site
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F191706424528

Pure tungsten here
https://www.tungsten.com/products/tungsten-rod/

Amazon has tungsten TIG weld rods too
TIG Welding Tungsten Electrodes 0.8% Zirconiated 1/16" x 7" (White, WZ8) 10-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSIIWIF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_YudEDbSFJ4SQG

[mmagliaro]

That link to eBay, for Saturn Industries, is where I've been getting tungsten rod when I need it.  They sell an amazing assortment of thicknesses, even something like .020" diameter rods.  You can slip or pack them in wherever you can, if you don't have room for larger sizes like 1/16" (which they also sell).

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the tips, guys, appreciated. But ten bucks for ONE .060 rod , 12” long? Ouch...😬
Otto

[propmeup1]

I look at it as it's worth the ten bucks to pull a longer train without slipping, if your into longer trains. I usually have 55 loaded hoppers going around with my only working set of centipeds with a M1 on the point.  The smaller engines pulling 7 heavy weight pass cars on a Bachmann frame with a 3D printed shell. The Bachmann shell is diecast so you loose that weight and traction as soon as you go 3D.  I weighed the Bachmann shell and the 3D shell. Made up the difference with the tungsten rods.

[Steveruger45]

Thanks for the tips, guys, appreciated. But ten bucks for ONE .060 rod , 12” long? Ouch...😬
Otto

Hi Otto,
See this Same company https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F193084975303
5 bucks one rod and free shipping.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Steve, appreciated. But it is the same outfit that also sells said rod for $10..what am I missing?
And just how much does a .060 x 12” rod weigh? It’s not pure tungsten..

Otto

[propmeup1]

I just weighed an 11 inch piece that is .125, 1/8" dia.  it was 1.46 oz. So figure half of that for 1/16" dia.

[Cajonpassfan]

I just weighed an 11 inch piece that is .125, 1/8" dia.  it was 1.46 oz. So figure half of that for 1/16" dia.

Thanks, but half the diameter isn’t half the weight. A=Pi x r squared. More like a third oz. Still pricey...
Otto

[Steveruger45]

Pure Tungsten has a density of 0.70 lbs/in3.
So a 0.060” diameter rod, 12 inches long = 3.142 x (0.060 squared divided by 4) x 12 cubic inches, x density
 = 0.0238 pounds or 0.381 ounces.