Hello,
I have just finished the individual track links for my King Tiger 1/35th, and as this is the first model ive built for over 25 years i have only one thing to say.....AARRGHHHHH...

Thats better

Which nimble fingered Devil came up with those? whoever you are Sir(or Madam who knows) until i become less of a 10 thumbed buffoon i might stick to trackless AFV, then again wheres the fun in that.

Cant wait to break my photo-etched parts next


Chris.

what indie link did you built? Fruil? Modelkasten? or Stock kit?

In my past experience Modelkasten are the most tidious. Built a panther with 5 peices for one link!

WC

LoL i hate fiderly parts, end up braking the small pieces. :-)

Just the ones that came with the Dragon kit, for all i know these might be classed as "simple" by everyone else!! i know one thing though, if my tracks needed 5 parts to make one link i'd be making a "battle Damaged" tank by now

Hahaha... Classic!

WC

I can sympathise Chris

Im staring at the indi track link sprues for my Firefly

I know i have to start at sometime but right now a root cavity filling looks more attractive hehehehe

Ian

Well at least you didnt do this......LOL.. Dam tippy glue bottles

I got lucky and another member here sent me a set he didnt use..

Dave

Oh bugger,you mean they're not meant to look like that?

Aw Chris:

Oh ma' gosh. . . . now you know why in re of armor vehicles, I only build wheeled vehicles and tracked vehicles are a no no . At least I still have my sanity. . . well, that's my opinion. :-) :-)

Uh no sir.. I almost cried.. That was the first model I had almost finished when that happened.. And with the plastic being just a bit softer, they melted together in a heartbeat..


Dave

Ahhhh ,
the Zen of link to link.Fret not,allow 1 modeling session for sprue removal,and clean up.I found having a small metal file,which fits between the teeth of one end,is the tool to use.If I notice the links fit too tightly,I file the offending areas.Then once I have determined the minimum filing required,I apply the same number of swipes to each link.






Then I spill the superglue on them...

(++) (++)

[quote]





Then I spill the superglue on them...
Thats the spirit my good man.

Oh man individual tracks - some I love, some I hate!

The best have to be the individual tracks that Academy make as after market set for there 1/35 Panzer IV’s and Stug III’s. These are so well made that for under £4 I can’t believe just how easy they fit together.

The worst have to be the ones that come with Ace models 1/72 BMP style AFV. The moulding is shocking, and they are sooo small.

There are some good tips on this site. One I’ve found is to make small sections (5 or 6 at a time) and using a straight edge to knock them up and some plastic cement. Leave for 15-20 min and they will be flexible and workable to roll around drive wheels etc. I’ve also found masking tape useful for holding everything in place.

Individual links are a challenge. I prefer Testors tube glue when I build them. It is sticky enough to hold them together while you get the entire side done, and yet it hasn't dried to hardness so you still have time to put them up on hull and wrap them around sprocket and idler, adjust some sag and them cement the ends together. After that, I go back and run a thin line of superglue over them to hold them a little more permanently

Dave you know people are really just joking when they say a kit is so easy you could just toss it in a box, add glue, shake it up and be done with it.

Well I heard so much about it, that I figured I would just give it a go...

Dave

It does happen Dave... however you have to be properly trained. Buy my step by step video instruction for 3 easy payment of $89.95 and you will know exactly how to shake the box in order for the model to come out right.

That is how I make most of my models.

WC

Diorama possibilities!!!!
1) Nuke weapon test range result
2) Koenigstiger meets Godzilla-'Rumble at Aberdeen'
3) Star wars C3PO embryos
4) Panzerdonkey scat

OK,the paint and solvent fumes are clearing a little..... :-) :-) :-)

Been building a set of RPM’s T-26 tracks for almost a year now, they’re about the size of modern armour in 1/72 scale.
When I feel totally calm, mellow (and am not intoxicated :-) ) I try to build a few. But after cleaning up the flash and mould lines that mellow feeling disappears and a distinct feeling of rage appears.

Instead of having people run on treadmills, for tests in hospitals, have them build a few of these tracks, that’ll test them! :-)

Mine damage and track repair are my best friends. I was even thinking the next time I start going a little bonkers that I'd name my diorama "Russian Track Thieves" they sneak out at night and steal the tracks out from under a sleeping Tiger crew.

chris.. if you thought KT indy tracks were difficult... you should try the Panzer 1 indies... they are really microscopic....! how about DML's Firefly indy tracks... at FOUR parts per link..?

Oh man I have both of these kits in my stash and its the damn track links that are keeping me from doing them. lol

However I am going to give indy links a try when I do Dragons Pershing for the Patton campaign.

Guess I will just have to jump in with both feet eh?

Jeff

Quote:

It does happen Dave... however you have to be properly trained. Buy my step by step video instruction for 3 easy payment of $89.95 and you will know exactly how to shake the box in order for the model to come out right.

...... now available from Hannants (shipping is an extra $105.00) :-) :-)

Frank

It's a conspiracy! Tracks are made this way to FORCE you to buy AM tracks or go mad! Either that or all the wives got together with the kit makers and came up with a way to get back at model builders for leaving them 'scale model widows'. lol

The best part about this Dave, the pain has passed and now you can have a good laugh at it right? It's the stories like these that have me leaving my DML kits alone for right now, I have enough stuff to keep me busy to finish right now without opening a whole new kit and dealing with these. Once all this other stuff is sorted, I'm probably going to give the Tiger 1 initial a go. I'll keep my digital camera handy to record my faux pas so we can have a good laugh. You did the model world a service though Dave, you're now one of those 'stories' to be passed down through the ages of why it's important to handle your glue safely around plastic tracks!

2006 new year wish:

i hope kit manfacturers will come up with optional indy link/ link-and-length and vinyl tracks in the box (especially for teeny-weeny narrow tracks)... as trumpeter did in their kv series.... hmm?