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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 06:39 AM UTC
I am building the Italeri USMC M4 Sherman. Nice kit. The gun barrel confounds me. The blasted thing is split into two length wise pieces. I hate that. So, I am looking at various diameter hollow plastic tubes and thinking if I could make a lathe to taper the barrel it might look better than the kit one. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did you ensure the taper was correct?
Appreciate any advice ot assistance
thanks
DJ
Kencelot
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Florida, United States
Joined: December 27, 2001
KitMaker: 4,268 posts
Armorama: 2,804 posts
Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 07:54 AM UTC
Hello DJ, I got your message from the M10 post.
Hmmm, it certainly could be done, it's just a matter of getting the correct scale drawing for it, which I'm digging up now...on the wwww.
I have the drawing at home here, I just don't have a scanner. Let em see what I can do for you.
Cob
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Washington, United States
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 275 posts
Armorama: 102 posts
Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 08:41 AM UTC
DJ,
It'll be tough to do with plastic. Very easy to melt. acrylic or aluminum might work better. I know a couple of tool and die guys at work. I'll ask them for suggestions on Tuesday.
v/r,
Cob
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 08:57 PM UTC

Quoted Text

DJ,
It'll be tough to do with plastic. Very easy to melt. acrylic or aluminum might work better. I know a couple of tool and die guys at work. I'll ask them for suggestions on Tuesday.
v/r,
Cob

COB/Ken---thanks very much. I hope we can put something together to share with other folks. Those blasted split barrels drive me insane. The brass and aluminum ones are nice, but get pricey. If there is a better way to attain the same results, it will be worth the effort.
thanks
again
DJ
Folgore
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Canada
Joined: May 31, 2002
KitMaker: 1,109 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 10:35 PM UTC
I don't think the price of a Sherman barrel would be too high. I bought a Tank Worskshop M34 mantlet w/ aluminum barrel for $10 CDN. That's like what.....50 cents US?

Nic
Weezul
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United States
Joined: May 24, 2002
KitMaker: 151 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2002 - 11:56 PM UTC
Yea, turned aluminum gun barrels are the way to go. And they aren't too expensive either.
Hollowpoint
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Kansas, United States
Joined: January 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,748 posts
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Posted: Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 12:41 AM UTC
DJ:

I have to join the chorus on this one. Jordi Rubio barrels are very nice, accurate and fairly inexpensive ($6-$7, I think, for a U.S. 75mm barrel). I resisted getting aftermarket barrels for many years -- but now I love 'em.

Now, when I get a Sherman kit, the first thing I do is get a Rubio replacement barrel and a photoetch set.

My old favorite PE set was the On The Mark Sherman set, but now I favor FineMolds set. The FineMolds set contains enough head and tail light guards and periscope guards for two tanks.
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 01:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

DJ:

I have to join the chorus on this one. Jordi Rubio barrels are very nice, accurate and fairly inexpensive ($6-$7, I think, for a U.S. 75mm barrel). I resisted getting aftermarket barrels for many years -- but now I love 'em.

Now, when I get a Sherman kit, the first thing I do is get a Rubio replacement barrel and a photoetch set.

My old favorite PE set was the On The Mark Sherman set, but now I favor FineMolds set. The FineMolds set contains enough head and tail light guards and periscope guards for two tanks.


Well, I tend to agree with you fine folks on aluminum barrels. However, if this works for the price of a ten cent piece of plastic pipe we might come across a method that's worth trying. Who sells Fine Molds?
thanks
DJ
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 09:32 AM UTC
DJ, IIRC correctly, the 75mm barrel is one of JR's cheapest barrel around at less than $5. Barrel Depot also does several barrels and they are very inexpensive.
sourkraut
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Indiana, United States
Joined: May 11, 2002
KitMaker: 602 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 09:45 AM UTC
i feel your pain.seems to me someone would make an aftermarket part for what you are looking for,as for me i go through a lot of sand paper.
although i am not really up on shermans
Hollowpoint
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Kansas, United States
Joined: January 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,748 posts
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Posted: Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 09:53 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Who sells Fine Molds?


Good question. I bought a few sets from Chris Merseal of CRM Hobbies of St. Louis when he was vending at the Kansas City AMPS show last year. I can't remember the exact price, but they were cheap in my eyes: maybe $5 per set. You can e-mail Chris at [email protected]. I'm pretty sure CRM does mail order. I don't think they have a Web site yet.

Mission Models, who advertise on this site, also carry some Fine Molds sets, so you may want to inquire with them. I think Squadron may also carry their line.

Sorry I'm not much help, but I have never ordered on the Web and rarely mail order. I'm old-fashioned that way -- I like to hold something in my hands before I buy it.
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