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I recently started using Plastirod and tubes, ordered a few plastruct singles from bits and kits as an afterthought on an order, but I have found them quite useful for creating bionics and other mechanical bits and bobs.

So after a few succeces, I plan to order a few 10 packs, and maybe some diamond plate as well. My question is to those who use this stuff regularly, what sizes do you recommend and why? I noticed there was a diameter threshold where the rods lose their rigidity, that is one particular question I would like answered so i know if im ordering 'wires' or 'hydraulics' if you know what I mean.

Also, if you know good tube fits for those rod sizes for hydraulics, awesome.

Finally, their diamond plate sheet styrene seems interesting, but there are several sizes. Same question, which size is best for 28mm?

Thanks guys, hopefully someone will be able to save me wasting cash on trial and error

It depends tank wise you can go any ware it needs to compare to the size of the machine.
For human sized parts take some figures with you to judge the thickness of the tube and rods

Ordering on-line, that's why I am asking about the sizes since I can't eyeball it

Not sure

^If you're not sure, then don't post. "Not sure" doesn't help him. I personally find that it's great to have a variety of sizes. Some for large pipes, others for tiny pistons, etc. So IMO I don't think exact size matters, as long as you have a variety. (That's what she said)

lol, if she said that don't forget your raincoat lol.

A few places suggested to me in another thread are far cheaper than where I was originally looking, so bulk ordering may not be so bad.

Just wanted to see if there was a culture for these materials our there beyond the cards, it's pretty shocking how tough to get a hold of it is, or at least get a good dose of thorough info, first time in a while a good solution wasn't on page 1 of google results lol.

MajorTom11,
Where is this new place suggested by others with low low prices? Post a link, please!!

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXF884&P=7

They also have an assortment pack of tubes I just can't find it without the code

I have plastic rod in several sizes, 1, 2, 3.2, 4.? and 6.8 (?) mm. The 1mm is pretty useless because it is too thin.

If you want to make hoses, electrical solder is good. You can bend it to whatever shape you like and it retains its shape. You can also get actual rubber hoses in modelling sizes.

Like this...

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=1&category=7&product=1719

You can probably find the same product cheaper from a rubber hose specialist.

Diamond and other patterned sheet comes in different scales. You needn't worry much about matching the theoretical scale of 40K -- 1/56th. Anything between 1/48th and 1/24th is good. Smaller is too small. Larger might be interesting to use on large areas, if you use it on small areas you won't get enough diamond patterns visible to make it look good.

Flag poles are best made from carbon fibre rod. I use 1.5mm. Whip aerials are best made from very thin carbon fibre rod, 0.25mm. These are cheap from R/C airplane modelling shops.

Kilkrazy wrote:I have plastic rod in several sizes, 1, 2, 3.2, 4.? and 6.8 (?) mm. The 1mm is pretty useless because it is too thin.

If you want to make hoses, electrical solder is good. You can bend it to whatever shape you like and it retains its shape. You can also get actual rubber hoses in modelling sizes.

Like this...

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=1&category=7&product=1719

You can probably find the same product cheaper from a rubber hose specialist.

Diamond and other patterned sheet comes in different scales. You needn't worry much about matching the theoretical scale of 40K -- 1/56th. Anything between 1/48th and 1/24th is good. Smaller is too small. Larger might be interesting to use on large areas, if you use it on small areas you won't get enough diamond patterns visible to make it look good.

Flag poles are best made from carbon fibre rod. I use 1.5mm. Whip aerials are best made from very thin carbon fibre rod, 0.25mm. These are cheap from R/C airplane modelling shops.

Or guitar wire

Thanks guys! Awesome info. I have been using guitar wire snipped off my electric on the last re-stringing, but I find it a bit tough to work with so far. I see people having it bent ultra-tightly and rounded, but I haven't mastered that yet.

Ordered a wire-bending gimbal and will be giving that a go soon though.

Thanks again, I am going to try and find that variety pack code as well, might order one of those and a few others, ref on the diamond plate was perfect for what I wanted to know as well

legos are a pretty decent source of hoses and all kinds of odds and ends as well.
you can buy legos by the piece from bricklink.com

Until you get one use a exacto handle just wrap it around to get the smooth curves

he he I'm glad I started this thread