Quoted Text

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I love Friuls, no question, but I just don't have that kind of money to throw around. Magic tracks are an acceptable substitute, in my mind. Sometimes, I'll spring for Friuls if I really want to kick things up a notch, but just can't afford to do it that often.

Now if someone would just market the molds so I could cast my own links...

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Because of the extra cost, it is a far closer question with magic tracks. With DS tracks and other single band tracks, I think it becomes much harder to make that argument.

I still like friuls compared to magic tracks, although Idid use magic tracks for an Sdkfz 7, as they have those rubber pads. It can be tedious to remove the slight pin marks on the back, and intend to use them for the marder I and panzer i panzerjaeger.

Another consideration is that I really enjoy making friul links. I can do it while watching television. I make pins by taking staples soaked in white vinegar (which removes the glue bonding them) and then twisting off the ends of each side. Sometimes you have to drill out the holes but always.

Friuls are also a lot more durable, and dont come readily come undone the way plastic or resin tracks can.

Guys,
Thank you for your thoughts and helpful replies!

Having used Friuls once, and reading your replies, I've come to the conclusion that if I can afford it, get Friuls or some other metalled tracks.

I can see the detail of the Magic Tracks, but I know when I pick up a run of Friuls, that every last link will follow. And for me, that may just be enough of a difference.

Best Wishes,

Gary

One area NOT to choose metal AM tracks over plastic or resin ones -- most US manufactured WW2 era AFVs. Their suspensions were designed to have very taut tracks. The advantage of metal is the natural, weighted sagginess. These simply aren't present on Shermans and Stuarts and Priests, etc unless you want so show track maintenance.

Quoted Text

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I love Friuls, no question, but I just don't have that kind of money to throw around. Magic tracks are an acceptable substitute, in my mind. Sometimes, I'll spring for Friuls if I really want to kick things up a notch, but just can't afford to do it that often.

Now if someone would just market the molds so I could cast my own links...

---

Because of the extra cost, it is a far closer question with magic tracks. With DS tracks and other single band tracks, I think it becomes much harder to make that argument.

I still like friuls compared to magic tracks, although Idid use magic tracks for an Sdkfz 7, as they have those rubber pads. It can be tedious to remove the slight pin marks on the back, and intend to use them for the marder I and panzer i panzerjaeger.

Another consideration is that I really enjoy making friul links. I can do it while watching television. I make pins by taking staples soaked in white vinegar (which removes the glue bonding them) and then twisting off the ends of each side. Sometimes you have to drill out the holes but always.

Friuls are also a lot more durable, and dont come readily come undone the way plastic or resin tracks can.

Regarding US AFVs.

The problem with Friuls on Shermans, for example, is that you have to use one kind of track part for the straightaways, and another for the curves. Since it's very difficult to know ahead of time how many tracks it will take for each individual model, I found that sort of problem too complicated to bother with. In the case of the Firefly I did for this build, I started with Friuls and then switched to the Tasca/Asuka "rubber band" tracks that came with the kit.