ratchets and straps please

portside II · 15-01-2007

can anyone tell me where i can get ratchets and straps in 1:24-5 scale to hold down the tractor on the back of Greamsay my island suply vessel if not my other option may be using chains ,the rachets dont have to work as long as they are adjustable and maybe elasticated so i can have different vehicles on the deck
thanks daz

**Bunkerbarge** · 15-01-2007

I am sure at 1/24th you could make something credible quite easily.

For the straps cut thin strips of something such as thin plasticard or even a fine woven cloth such as skirt lining and make the clasps out of thin litho plate or even, as I use sometimes, what I call "Shim Brass".

I think the result could be very effective and very rewarding to have made them yourself.

portside II · 15-01-2007

chears Richard i did think about this and concidered making a visit to the local Boyes store for some elastic strips for the straps and try and make the fastners out of wire.
Ifthe outcome looks ok i will post some pic's
daz

**Bunkerbarge** · 16-01-2007

The only trouble with elastic is that it perishes after a while, especially when in contact with moisture and so your ties will get slack.

Maybe something easily replaceable though like the elasticated straps that you can buy to hold spactacles on your head for sports and the like. Any opticians will have some and they are pretty cheap. They even come with an adjustment that you may be easily able to convert to look like a ratchet strap.

portside II · 17-01-2007

thanks Richard ,you have some good ideas ,dont know where you get them from

portside II · 17-01-2007

damn i will never get the hang of these forums ,had a start with a couple of prototype fittings .
would show you but cant work out how to post a pic with this message

portside II · 17-01-2007

right i think i have done it now
if i am succsesfull there should be wto photos fo the deck of my latest with a tractor firmly strapped down .

if not then

will have another go later

new to trains · 17-01-2007

hi darren, nice work.....not picking on your work but when i have seen vehicle cargo loaded onto vessels, and strapped down (and i have seen refuse lorries, Cement mixers and similar leaving harwich)- ok not tractors but the straps usually go round the tyres/ wheels not right over the roof of the vehicle......

just a thought,

alan2525 · 17-01-2007

Can you remove the little guy from the tractor too. It doesn't look like he'd manage to get anywhere fast with the straps on like that.

;-)

**Bunkerbarge** · 17-01-2007

I think they look pretty good and you can play around with them to your hearts content and change your cargo.

Here's a couple of pictures I found on the web that you might find usefull.

You could also of course have your cargo's fixed to a lorry trailer and change out the trailers when you fancy a different cargo.