DML 1/35 Tiger I Initial

[wing_nut]

Great work Andy. I have had quite a few PE piece that only wanted to be bent once. I have used a lot of Voyager stuff and will guess it was from those sets. I do the same thing with the fire extinguisher. haven't called out yet about the size.

[eastrock]

Rob, you need also to finish the Tiggy and have friendly competition on the Tigers since there's a lot of blog here.

[Deleted]

smart work on the PE this is gonna be a stunner!

[deafpanzer]

Tony- Thanks buddy! Every time I run into trouble dealing with PE I just say a prayer but with a twist... instead of 'so help me, God' I say 'So help me, Tone Lee'. ;D

Wouter- Always good hearing from you... glad you remembered you got me into this! LOL Thanks for the info how to paint the fans!

Boss- I am really trying... fighting cold for last two days. No fun! And you better listen to Eastrock! LOL

Gary- Hope you have my address? LOL

Marc- Thanks for the nice words! You got me hooked into PE so I will NEVER forgive you. Nah, I was only kidding... I love you man for all of those great toots you have done.

Kenny- Hey mate... thanks! Just visit us in America you will find many houses with nice sized basements. Guess we are so paranoid about tornadoes. That's where my work bench is...



Hope my picture comes out good as I used a new feature on my iPhone that allows you take wider pictures. My wife playing with her sewing machine. Boys playing Wii as usual.

Snipersmudge- I hope so! You are way too nice! Thanks! Now I have to ask you how you came up with that your name. LOL

[deafpanzer]

Guys- Little update on my Tiger. I have been fighting a cold but it is starting to go away.

Earlier with your help regarding which the tracks should I use for the number "3" Tiger I went ahead and ordered the correct Friuls set with mirrored tracks. I just can not use the incorrect set because I know it will bug me for rest of my life. LOL

With BigJohn's help, bought a set for $39.95 plus shipping from a vendor in Illinois. Thank you LittleJohn! ;D I owe you a beer!



First half is complete with 100 links for now and I hope to finish another half... I use dress pins instead of wiring. A lot easier that way... thank you Ben!



Now once again instructions from both Dragon and Friul doesn't tell me how many links I need to assemble... my reference books are no help either. Googled for an answer but no luck. Anybody remember how many links do I need to assemble for the Tiger?

[bigjohn]

Nice work on the tracks Andy. Can't wait to see them on the tiger!

[406 Silverado]

Nice wide view Andy, and love the family room bro. Tracks getting there as well. Hope you feel better my friend.

[wouter]

Hi mate, you're a true perfectionist ey ;D

Nice job on the tracks

The Tiger I's with the 700mm idler wheel (amongst them the initials) had 96 tracklinks on each side. The MasterClub resin tracks are perfectly in scale and can be done with 96 links. Mind though, Friuls tend to be a fraction larger and it's quite possible that 94 or 95 links will be sufficient.

I really should give that dress pin tech a go ^^

Cheers

[deafpanzer]

BigJohn- Thanks buddy!

Rob- Thanks! Thought I'd play with the new iPhone 'panorama' feature. That would be a perfect tool to take pictures of those long tables at the model shows. LOL

Wouter- You really do love Tigers? LOL Glad to have a friend like you helping me out. Appreciate it... thanks!!!

You have to try dress pins one day... no need to drill and struggle while shoving the wiring in. Dress pins are like wiring on Viagra. LOL ;D I didn't add CA first time for my previous build StuG and noticed pins started to come out little while handling the tracks. So now I apply little CA "near" the tip before I push the pin all way in. Don't push too hard or you will find pin coming out at other end!!!

Again thanks for the answer! (beer icon)

[406 Silverado]

Good tip with the pins Andy. Will have to get some for my next set of Tiger Friuls.

[Deleted]

great tip on using the pins, never thought of that!

[deafpanzer]

Be sure to buy those 25mm or 35mm dress pins. 50mm pins were too thick. You will probably have better chance finding those thinner dress pins at fabric speciality stores such as JoAnn or Hancock stores. Hobby Lobby or Michaels have limited selections of dress pins to my surprise.

Hope this helps...

[robbo]

Tracks are looking mighty fine Andy. Do the pins cut easy or are they a bit tuff ?

[Deleted]

"Wiring Viagra ;D". Great tip on the pins Andy.... Not sure I know what Viagra is though honest ;D

[spud]

Ohh tracks... I have the same ones on my tiger, I've no idea how many links I used

[reserve]

Lookin pretty fine to date, have no doubts about the final outcome either. The more I look at the PE and Fruil tracks you've been doing the more I consider taking some Prozac so I'll have the wherewithall to try doing the same. I honestly don't know where you find the patience.

Regards,
Mark

[wbill76]

Track making is one of the necessary evils of armor building, kind of like dealing with road wheels! Looking good Andy, and remember the true final count you need is whatever is necessary to get the sag correct for the vehicle! Unless of course you cheat and just create one side and only show photos from that side for the rest of the blog...

[wouter]

trust me mate, I don't know this stuff by heart ;D, but I did remember that Bill H or Phill Appleyard mentioned it many moons ago on my Initial Tiger I blog at MM.

And thanks for that explanation, I'll try to score some of those, we don't have Hancook or JOann though ;D

Cheers

[deafpanzer]

Robbo- Thanks mate! Not too bad... my 'mini' wire cutter does the job just fine. I will post SBS right after this.

Steve- Viagra... don't look at me! But I can say this... a friend of my college friend took one when he was only 25 years old. Big mistake! He had to go to the ER because it was too painful. LOL

Spud- LOL I am not good at keeping notes either!

Mark- I'd rather to take Prozac! HAHAHA! I can't figure it out where I get the patience... building stage is probably my favorite so I like to make it as long as possible. Thanks buddy! Get any deer yet?

Bill- Thanks my friend! I am with you about leaving extra links on. Glad its 96 links so I will go ahead and leave it at 100 for now then I can easily remove 3 or 4 links as long as I don't cut pins off.

Wouter- For sure you have better memory than I do. I need to stop by MM and see how guys are doing. It has been a while. Easy, ask your mother or grandma where good fabric store is. And be prepared that you may be the only male in the whole store. LOL

[deafpanzer]

Guys- Here's SBS how I deal with dress pins for Friuls. You will need a good wire cutter. Small one works fine for me since it cuts closer to the edge. And an ol' good big metal file is a must too.


After applying small amount of CA on the pin before pushing it all way in. Cut the pins off with the wire cutter...


You will notice pins are not even and sticking out. They may not be that visible behind the tracks but they are visible at the front and rear. Remember I have OCD and I can be so anal so I don't like 'em...


So I use steel file to sand excessive pin off. They look better in my opinion...


Hope this helps.
Andy

[deafpanzer]

Dicky- Hey! Thanks! Thought I'd help anybody who want to give a shot at using dress pins. Sure beats using those pins on a dress you have been working on... LOL ;D

[eastrock]

Thanks for sharing, Andy!!! they don't look better, they look great!!!

Cheers!!

[modelfreak72]

Hey Andy, the tiggy is coming along great! Your PE work is sweet! I like the tip on the fruils!

[Hinksy]

Dammit - I still can't find the right pins now the place I used to buy them from have closed down! The only one's I can find are too big in diameter so I'm buying 12" lengths of 0.5mm Brass Rod to use - only 30pence a length and 10 lengths did my last Tiger I tracks.

I'm going to get some AK Burnishing Fluid for my links and put the links in BEFORE assembly as I'm finding that putting pre-assembled runs into the solution tends to miss areas. You should try some - the effect is amazing and far more realistic than any painted effects!

Good work anyway Andy. I'm going to paint my tools later on and the turret hatch door interior.

More photos please!

Ben

[deafpanzer]

ER- Thanks buddy! Glad you liked!

MF- Appreciate you stopping by... thanks!

Ben- Recovering from your birthday bash I bet! LOL If it wasn't for your tip using dress pins, I would haven't been fan of Friuls. I thought I'd share your tip with others. Just paying it forward... ;D

I have used .50 mm pins they still worked but more tight for sure but it can be done. Maybe you can google to see if we can order thinner dress pins from an online vendor? That's something we can look...

[deafpanzer]

Guys- Friul tracks... complete!


Sorry I had to throw in the penny... just felt like if its Penny Awareness month or something like that. ;D

[bbd468]

Got to lu-dem fruils Andy!!! Are the dress pins just the standard pins you can get at Wal-mart? I like that.

Gary

[wbill76]

Nice little Fruil SBS there Andy and Penny Awareness is a vital PSA that should be promoted more! I have to admit I love the fact that it's a 1972-S penny to boot since my other minor hobby is coin collecting.

[deafpanzer]

Gary- Thanks bro!

Good question about Walmart. I don't shop there often... maybe because they think I am not red neck enough. If Walmart has nice sewing selection, then you should be able to find thinnest dressmaker pins. Go for either .25 or .35mm... .50mm is OK but you will have to work harder. What the heck! I see muscles on your arms you shouldn't have any issue putting thicker pins in. LOL

Bill- Any idea how much this penny is worth? LOL Thanks buddy! If penny is that big, then what scale the tracks are at now? 1/144 or closer to 1/72 scale?

Chasing after my wife is my other minor hobby. Recently started collecting WWII relics... that's other one.

[deafpanzer]

Little update... used guards PE that came with the kit instead of Voyager which surprised me because they looked better and felt thicker too. Learned a tip from a friend... using eraser to bend down the guards. Poked some holes as I am still shooting for weary Tiger look.


Used Voyager PE for the latch locks...


Spare tracks using leftover Friuls and Voyager PE for the racks...


Now I have to cover those extra drilled holes as I am so bad in measuring! LOL