So after a year or so I'm once again doing a set of DML tracks, I have a partial jig set up, coffee is on and I just plugged saving private Ryan in. What better way to spend a rainy day off. The last time I did these it took about 10 hours over several boring days. Anyone have any horror stories of these little devils?

I've used them twice and the last time I've put them together in about 4 hours. Just empty you mind and gogogo
But a new challenge is waiting for me. Modelkasten workable tracks... Brrrrrr

Tried them, gave up, used Tamiya rubberbands instead

I get DML M4 tracks done in 45 minutes per side. First I cut and clean all the parts and put them in plastic bowls. I have a straightedge clamped to the table edge in front of me. I measure the length of the track run with a tailor's tape measure. Then I glue, link, glue, link against the straightedge till the run is done. Wrap it around the running gear, meet at the bottom, tape together. Done. 2 hours max for both sides.
Goes well with a NASCAR race on TV.

Rubberbands!!! The device that prevents the modeler to cross the border of the insanity land...

AFV Club Sherman tracks go together really quickly.

Done these twice. No problem with them - only opportunity to listen more music than usualy during modelmaking. I've done Tiger and Drilling with DMLs.
Rubber bands are nice timesaver but I simply like any action that involves only my hands and not the brain (after day at work it really is a blessing) .

Andrzej

I must be masochistic, I've always built them to be workable. It takes forever, but the results are good.

I think that's why Friulmodel is able to stay in business....

I sell my Magic Tracks as soon as they're in-house.

cant really say I see the point of friul tracks on a sherman. Dont get me wrong I'm very impressed by them, I have them for my churchill and will pick them up for a few pieces of russian armour but it seems a wasted cost on sherman tracks that should be under tension to me.

but saying all that, phew, I am done another set of DML horror tracks, with end connectors. Saving Private Ryan beat me by about 15min. not to bad I'd say.

SSGToms: Nice idea about the tailor's tape! It will be put into use this very week.

I cannot stand using the rubber band type tracks unless they are to be under tension( a la sherman) (after all, I am cheap!)
capnjock

Ok you guys are freaking me out a little since i have just brought my first Dragon Sherman Are these tracks really that bad? I have built 3x Dragon Stugs and not had any problems with the tracks.

I've got Thunderbolt IV and every time I open the box and see the tracks it goes right back in the stash

No, actually they're really easy! I don't understand when guys complain because DML puts a $20 set of indy tracks in the box with the model and only charges $39.99 for the whole thing!
You just need to set up a system and get a rythym going. It's actually calming and theraputic if you get some Zen into it.

yeah, they're actually not that bad, I mean the new DS tracks are awesome, but the indi links just take a chunk of time to sit and turn your brain off. At least they look good when done. Definitely make them semi-workable when you do them.

For the indy DML M4 track,I built a jig. I can place the blocks ,checron facing me,standing up on their pins.
I glue the first set of end connectors on the exposed pins,about 10 blocks at a time.
Then I flip the section around,with the un attached pins up,and the attached end connectors down,and repeat attaching the end connectors.
I build up the neccessary lengths to make a run. The only tedious part is cleaning up the sprue attachment oints.
Its zen-like.

the Duckbills are kicking my keester on my M4A3 BOB sherman. it's hard as heck to keep them straight

Friuls are great, but assembly of mine (King Tiger) was a pain in the a$$ - almost 100% of tracks had closed holes... almost all needed drilling.

After nearly throwing a DML 250 half-track through the window after the tracks nearly drove me crazy I built a jig for my Sherman Firefly's tracks (3 pieces per link)
I had 2 wooden batons (actually the stabilizing stick off of used rocket fireworks) and glued a series of small spacers (wooden drink stirer from KFC) in between.
This alows the tri-angular guide horns to fit in the gap with the spacer and lets you work putting the pads and grousers in position.
Tom

Hey PanzerMike,
Indy tracks for VVSS suspension Shermans can be a royal pain in the a** to put together.
Trying to assembling lengths of tracks and keeping the end connectors straight and vertical can drive you nuts.
To keep my sanity, I built a jig out of basswood and a wooden display base for assembling my VVSS tracks.
I glued a strip of basswood that is almost as wide as the track links and thicker than the height of the end connectors onto the base.
When I start to do a set of tracks, i place a reversed strip of Tamiya or similar masking tape onto the strip of basswood which holds the links securely down onto the jig.
I then place the links chevron side up on the tape and start attaching the end connectors.
This also helps keep the end connectors straight up and avoid the "crabbed" look you can get with these kinds of tracks.
It also avoids the "oh no" of getting the chevrons facing in different directions.
This kind of jig should work with individual links for M3/M5 Stuart and any M3 Lee/Grant or M4 Sherman VVSS style tracks.




Sometimes when I'm feeling lazy, I'll use glueable one piece "rubberband" tracks.
AFV Club make the T49 and T62 VVSS and T66 HVSS style "rubberbands" and I picked up a bunch of the Tamiya T48 type tracks from a friend in Japan.
They sure came in hand replacing some of the old vinyl tracks in some of my older Italeri kits.
Cheers

jjumbo

If you think that one piece DML tracks are hard then don't look at Modelkasten for the Sherman.

Remember guys .... the trick to assembling any of the kit supplied indy tracks, is using the proper cement for the job. If your cement dries too fast, it means you have to stay on top of all the details ... all the time.
I use model master thin cement, and I have over an hour of working time, that allows me to assemble a whole length, place and adjust as needed. Then I hit it with tamiya thin and let it be over night ..... never have a problem.
Regarding Dragon DS one piece ... the details are amazing, but theres still a certain amount of "spring" that doesn´t allow the track to sit very well around the idler and drive sprocket, so it all has to be cemented in place before painting. Just my tupence on the subject.

Wow! Great thread...have a M4A4 Sherman in the works, just finished putting together the 1st step, bogie assemblies, will have to save this thread and refer to it once the "tracks" need to get started.

Awesome! Band of Brother's, Saving Private Ryan...may have to stack them up for this!

Cheers!
Tim