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Lost Poly Caps!

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  • Member since
    May 2015
Lost Poly Caps!
Posted by Ultra-m-a-n on Sunday, October 11, 2015 3:26 PM

Hello all,

I started the hobby this year, and I took a break after starting my new job. I thought that this weekend would be perfect to start again.

Anyways, I am building the Trumpeter AS-90 1:35 kit I bought in June, and I can't find the bloody Poly Caps for the road wheels. Where can I get cheap replacements? If anyone has a sprue to give I'd gladly cover the shipping with PayPal. Also any suggestions to DIY some of my own? I am missing 12 for the road wheels, plus the ones for the drive sproket and idler wheel.

Thank you!

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 2:59 PM

Is there any way to just solidly glue the wheels on. You don't need them to roll. If it's too loose a fit, can you find some plastic tube to use as a insert or shim?

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 9:30 PM

Agreed.  Just glue the shafts in, you're probably not going to want to roll them around the floor.  I've done this many times with aircraft models, where the caps were missing or just didn't fit right.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in central North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 12:55 AM

 Gluing was my first though also, it doesn't need to roll ....
.....but leaving that part out "might" not be an option.

I was checking out this picture:

                         http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Decorated%20images/polycap_zpsn0fpzkxn.png~original

It appears that the polycaps "might" be needed to center-up the wheels on the axles.
 
The axle shaft has only one diameter and that's the same size as the polycaps inner diameter. I don't physically have the parts to look at, but here's a diagram.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Decorated%20images/Arms_zpstozryjpg.png~original

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 7:57 AM

How about plastic tubing of s similar size avail in an HVAC dept cut to the proper size.

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by BarrettDuke on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 9:44 AM

Ultra, You have correctly identified your problem. If you just glue them on, they likely will not all be centered and then you'll have possible floating wheel problems. I think you need to fill that gap with something. It's possible you could use aquarium air hose cut into short pieces. If the gap is narrower than that, maybe plastic drinking straws would work. Otherwise, maybe just glue a piece of toothpick or thin plastic piece to two sides of each axle that are wide enough to center the wheel and then push the wheel onto that. There are probably other simpler solutions, as well. Have you tried calling Trumpeter to see if they'll send you a replacement set? Barrett

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in central North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 8:24 PM

                                http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/t/%E9%87%91%E5%B1%9E-%E7%AE%A1%E5%9C%86%E7%8E%AF-46181031.jpg

The aquarium air hose sounds like the best way to go.

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Friday, October 16, 2015 11:35 AM

Contact Trumpeter and ask about a replacement set.

:)

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, October 16, 2015 11:43 PM

Remind yourself that the tank never had all of it's wheels flat and in line after the day it left the factory and drove onto the railroad car that delivered it.

Stick playdo, sillyputty, white glue, chewed up bubble gum; whatever into the wheel cavities and have some fun. Run it over your wife's left arm and then, when she's done having fun with you; squirt superglue in from the back to get the wheels all set up. Just align them vertical, no need to have them all flat up and down.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by Moff on Saturday, October 17, 2015 11:34 AM

EasyMike

Contact Trumpeter and ask about a replacement set.

:)

 

I agree, my experiences with modeling companies has been that their customer service is really good. 

 

 

On an unrelated subject, I didn't know Trumpeter used poly caps...I thought that was just a Tamiya thing. Live and learn. :) 

 

"Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union." - Josef Stalin 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Saturday, October 17, 2015 10:46 PM

Maybe heat-shrinkable tubing might work.  You should be able to find some at any electronics parts store.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Saturday, October 17, 2015 10:54 PM

Aquarium air hose and heatshrink tubing may be problematic because of the relatively thin wall. You might also consider fuel hose/tubing from your LHS. They should have a selection of tubing with different inside/outside diameters. Keep in mind that when you push the axle into the section of tubing, the tubing will spread and increase the OD.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, October 18, 2015 7:52 AM

I wish it was a Dragon thing,It would make Magic tracks a little easier.

I did mention early on in this thread about the various size tubing used in HVAC

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