Abrams Tow Shackles?

[Uncarina]

I am having a difficult time for some reason fabricating tow shackles for my 1/16 Abrams build; the thick wire I've worked with isn't cutting it. Any advice? For reference: http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armour ... a1ph_1.htm

Thanks!

Tom

[MichaelC]

They looks surprising like the KV-1 shackles..........

[greengiant]

I had problems fabricating them out of 12 gauge wire so I switched to what I think is a 16 gauge single wire with its insulation on it.
Very easy to shape and looks about the right size while the ones I did in the 12 gauge bare wire looked a little to thick and were very hard to get into something close to the correct shape which is rather round.

[atcttge]

magman, do you have pix of those shackles on your ZTZ-90?

GG: is 16 gauge with wire as fat as 1.5mm diameter brass rod?

[silversurfer1947]

16 gauge wire is 1.29mm diameter. Nearest to 1.5mm is 15 gauge.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Converting-ga ... 375/g.html

[Uncarina]

Thanks everyone for the help. I ran a search on E-Bay for "bow shackles" and had an assortment of results with the right shape, but all appear too large. I might just have to go with the wire.

Thanks, Tom

[atcttge]

thanks silversurfer!

[greengiant]

don't know about brass rod sizing or how difficult it would be to bend around small drill bits to get the correct diameter holes.
Here's a pic of the copper wire with insulation on it and some of the rings I did on my Abrams with it.

[Uncarina]

GREENGIANT,

I appreciate the pic; you did a great job with yours! I will track down some of the wire you used. I was also thinking of solder, but I think your solution is better.

Tom

[greengiant]

Solder would work I think but might be a little to brittle to do many adjustments to once your original bends are made without breaking. The wire with insulation was easy to work with and adjust to the the right shape once all the bends are made and took paint very well.