I have just done something I have not done in a decade or so...I just put my fist through a model, DML's Tiger I Initial type. It was painted, no wheathering, and I was putting the tracks on. The left side went on fine. The right side was the problem...the links would not stay together and, for some reason, would not assemble in a straight line. Had the track wrapped around the idler and it started to break apart. I had glued the links together, but that did not help. I was fine until I snapped off a head light...I saw red and smashed the tank...a model I was ecstatic to get in the mail. After taking deep breaths and wiping the blood off of my knuckle, I inspected the carnage. It seem reparable...I may have to use some brass rod in a few places. Any advice? For the tracks I mean. Don't have the spare cash for the "good" tracks...how about some rubber band tracks from Tamiya. Any one have a spare set or know where to get some?

Now...where is that Neosporin?




:-)

Tim

I feel your pain man! Been there! Done that!

I found that indy tracks now calm me down.I don't know why,I think it's because I know they p*** me off so I take my time now.

Jim

The last time I remember smashing up a model while assembling it was when I was 9. An Aurora F-104. I was trying to do it at one sitting (typical for a kid) and the wings would fall off or the tail or something else. I got mad and hurled it across the room. Of course models were a lot tougher then. Thicker plastic and no tiny pieces so i could go back and re glue it. I've had some troubles with individual links, so I have learned to do them in sections and lay them on the tank. Then work the next section in. I also use tube glue which sticks the track together but doesn't dry so fast so they still have some flex.

Well, I was a bit older than nine the last time I did this. It's probably stress...was trying to take my mind off of a funeral I have to goto tomorrow. Have to try the sectional thing.


:-)

Done that too mate
my mate at work "walled" a 100 scale Heller HMS Victory he had been working on for 6 months,,after his wife nagged him
Tim ,pm me your address, I'm sure I've got some Tamiya "rubber bands" somewhere
Andy

Hi Tim,

Build them in small sections and as Steve said use tube glue it gives you longer to work with them. (make sure you clean them up well first if needed)

There's a really good article I read on the site about making tracks. (has pictured (idiots guide) and step by step instructions). Sorry I can't remember exactly what it was called but if you do a search 'making track links' it will probably turn up.

I built the Dragon Firefly recently - I followed the advice, took my time (over 3 days) and the result was great. It wasn't easy and it required a lot of patience but the satisfaction was 'top notch' when the last link went in.

Sorry for your loss - stress get to us all.

Al

You can also use a jib to line them up properly. I've used several things and anything solid with a straight edge will do. The best way, as has already been said, is to work in sections with the old smelly glue. Wrap the finished sections around the tracks when you have the proper length. The hard part i find is to paint them after they are on the kit.

Comparing to the DML T-34/85 UTZ and ISU-152, I can say these magic tracks are a lot better. My first encounter with the Magic Tracks was with my King Tiger. Believe me, I attached the entire tracks in less than 30 minutes on both sides. Try and try. You can do it.

magic track works fine for me make a jig to hold the tracks in between,a piece of wood with two pieces on top where the tracks lay [not to tight] in ,for the whole lenght of track.then they keep straight

greetings jeroen,.

Thanks everyone. I'll try the suggestions later...next week or so. As for how easy they are, like I said the left side was easy as pie...too easy. It was the right that would go together straight or stay together after popping apart from trying to correct it.

:-)

This might be the link you mentioned

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/84

I have a few links saved... Just finished cleaning up my first set of indy's.. and about to try one of these, probably the first... I really really hope I can assemble the tracks and paint them off the vehicle, I can't paint well enough to do it on the vehicle.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/84

http://figures.armorama.com//features/127

http://users.pandora.be/ronny.noben/website/tips/tracks.htm

Martyn

I must say, for someone who hasn't done these yet they do appear a daunting task.

Man i don't see what people have against them, realy there very good as long as you know how to work them.
Instead of using glue use tenax 7r. That gives you time to form the shape of hte track around idlers and road wheels with a decent strong bond. I do the magin tracks in two halfs using tenax and then join them togehter on the kit once painted and weathered. But you do have to be carefull not to put a track to many like any other indy track.

And joining them together on the finished kit is a breaze.

Frank