Quote from: Wardukw on March 08, 2024, 08:30:43 AM...Fred the swampy tracks was the idea from the get go but then the math started to hit and the word bullocks got used 
I'd need 4mm angle to make em..then 5.2mm strip to make plate em .. then would need to cover all the ends and the amount of 4mm angle would have been scary to say the least 🙄
So I went with 2.5 mm and made like a snowcat  ...

You could have made one and then cast more?  Lots more.
Maybe not.

Quote from: zenrat on March 08, 2024, 08:16:16 PM

Quote from: Wardukw on March 08, 2024, 08:30:43 AM...Fred the swampy tracks was the idea from the get go but then the math started to hit and the word bullocks got used 
I'd need 4mm angle to make em..then 5.2mm strip to make plate em .. then would need to cover all the ends and the amount of 4mm angle would have been scary to say the least 🙄
So I went with 2.5 mm and made like a snowcat  ...

You could have made one and then cast more?  Lots more.
Maybe not.

Oh the idea was there matey ..when I looked at the price of all the casting goodies..mind changed it did .
Just a start up kit is over $120 notes ..keep cutting plastic I shall do .

TBH, I think lots of people see casting as the answer to everything (if you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail).

It's a cool way to get more of the stuff you want/need, don't get me wrong, and for after market production it's the way to go.
But sometimes the faff just isn't worth it.

For one- or two-offs, sometimes all you need is the raw material and perseverance... and a good soundtrack on the stereo... case in point, here. 

There again, with the advent of reusable mould material it's not as big an investment in moulds you may never use again, anymore.

I will still use casting for some things (and I must get back into it again), but most of the time carving plastic will be my weapon of choice.
And yeah, the casting kits aren't cheap.

I've never tried casting (yet) but I do know how bad I am at scratching more than one thing the same size.

3d printing would be another option but the set up cost is way higher.
I suppose you could subcontract production.  Produce a simple design (for a grouser basically just a toblerone shape) and then pay someone else to 3d print you 500 of them.

Quote from: zenrat on March 08, 2024, 09:02:11 PMI've never tried casting (yet) but I do know how bad I am at scratching more than one thing the same size.

3d printing would be another option but the set up cost is way higher.
I suppose you could subcontract production.  Produce a simple design (for a grouser basically just a toblerone shape) and then pay someone else to 3d print you 500 of them.

That would work, and it shouldn't be too expensive.
Depending on what you want there's possibly even something free available, but for simpler shapes it's a doddle - I've sat there while it was done, and if they know their stuff it's simples-as.

Though you do have to factor in the failure rate - and even on something simple, there will be failures for whatever reason.

3D printing would be the way to go and I do know a bloke with one but it's to late now ...ive already invested some real money into this as each packet of plastic is $11nz and I've already been thru 7 

Also Guy was alot closer than he thought when said about changes..yes there's going be another one ..the fat huey is going bye-bye..it's going be replaced with a skinny huey 
Oh update..had a look at the skinny huey and Kit will like this..it's getting longer wings 😊

Picked up 3 more packets of 2.5mm angle yesterday..the M48 for the 60s GB is near priming stage so this will give me a reason to sort out the rear track units 😀
Well at least figure out how to make em anyway 🤷 🙃

Well more work has been started on this again..ive got 20 packets of 2.5mm angle and I've already started to build the rear track units .
I've come up with a better simpler way to build these which has spead this right up and because there the rears they will be stronger too.
They have to be stronger anyway as they are quite a bit longer than the fronts .
Still thou they're coming along nicely 👌 😀

Goody goody gumdrops.  Looking forwards to this one.

One track assembly is pretty much done ..all the wheels and track shoes or blades are glued and sitting sweet 😋
No2 will be attacked today I suspect as I can't think I'll be up to smeg all else today .

Good to see this is back on track.. well one track at the moment 

Quote from: buzzbomb on August 11, 2024, 03:23:24 PMGood to see this is back on track.. well one track at the moment 

Four tracks now Buzzy mate 
Yep all four track unit are 85 % done..just gotta add some details to said tracks..once I figure out how 🤔

The rear track units are built ..so what follows is just a heap of build pics ...they are also undercoated now in black but i havent taken any pics of those as there just black 
so here ya go then ....
DSCF4697 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4699 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4701 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4702 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4703 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4704 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
Now one thing which was annoying me was the lack of detail to the tracks ,,,so i wanted to add some and thats when the problems begun.
I wanted to add bolts ,,thats the problem...i needed something small enough which didnt cost a crap load and after a heap of hunting i found these things ..
DSCF4714 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4709 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
Yep..jewels...the entire sheet is self-adessive so i had to remove the jewels of the backing sheet ... two to three at a time but it worked 
DSCF4708 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4705 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
The results worked out pretty good ..added enough to break up the nothing which was there before .
DSCF4715 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
DSCF4716 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr
Now i needed something to protect the bolt heads from the punishment which can come from just wear and tear ...this worked ..
DSCF4718 by Phill Harrison, on Flickr

Next will be painting and weathering ...this will be interesting as ive got no idea what im gonna do with this part yet . 

You have been very busy!

Yes, he has!

Nice work there, Phill - and the lateral thinking has worked out well, too!