Tight Plastic Tracks....1/35

KevinCollins

Member since
September 2003
From: USA

Tight Plastic Tracks....1/35

Posted by KevinCollins on Monday, April 12, 2004 9:56 PM

Hi everyone,

What is the best way to get the plastic tank tracks to fit when they are too tight…I was going to put them in water (not too hot but hot enough) to soften them up and lightly stretch them a little…any other methods out there? The model is a Tamiya 1/35 T34/85. I could buy after market tracks but I want to use the kits ones.

Thanks,

Kevin

Pray for Surf! Proud sailor (USNR) of IBU 21...NCW Group2

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Monday, April 12, 2004 10:02 PM

I've never had that problem with Tamiya indy tracks. I didn't know that kit came with them, I though it came with vinyl tracks. Sorry I don't have an answer, the water trick might work. Are they all that tight, or can you sand some down?

Eric

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kaleu

Member since
February 2003
From: Racing capital of the world- Indy

Posted by kaleu on Monday, April 12, 2004 10:12 PM

Doesn't the Tamiya kit come with a screw in the lower hull that allows the builder to tighten or lessen the tension on the tracks? IIRC, it was in the rear of the hull? If you can't lessen the tension that way, leave off the drive sprockets until you are ready to put on the tracks. Once you are ready, put the sprockets in the tracks and then put the sprockets onto the kit parts. That is what I have done in the past with tight tracks.

Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Monday, April 12, 2004 10:19 PM

Boy do I feel stupid. You WERE talking about vinyl tracks. Wow, to think I only had a whole pot of coffee today. I believe Erik answered your question, so I'll slither away now.

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 10:20 PM

With my T55 I had to cut off the return roller axle stub thing, the thing that the poly cap in the wheel slides over off and re-mount it about 1.5-2mm to the rear. I used CA glue to remount it and then i drilled trough both the axle and hull with a drill bit and pin vice and reinforced it with a bit of brass wire; worked great for me.

Good luck...
Brian.

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KevinCollins

Member since
September 2003
From: USA

Posted by KevinCollins on Monday, April 12, 2004 11:30 PM

Thanks gang....I already have the wheels glued (next time I'll try waiting to put on the rear wheels with the tracks) on so I way try the hot water thing...

Pray for Surf! Proud sailor (USNR) of IBU 21...NCW Group2

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 5:02 AM

Are they too tight to just "ride" 'em on? If the drive wheel and idler still turn, it should be a breeze.

~Brian

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:41 AM

If your wheels are fully cured (better make sure) just soften the vinyl in hot water for a few seconds and slip it on. I do this, to stretch the vinyl, let it cool off, take it off, paint, and slip back on.

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KevinCollins

Member since
September 2003
From: USA

Posted by KevinCollins on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:46 AM

Thanks...I will do the water trick.....

Pray for Surf! Proud sailor (USNR) of IBU 21...NCW Group2

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Tiger44

Member since
February 2003
From: Wisconsin

Posted by Tiger44 on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 12:07 PM

Had the same problem with Tamiya's King Tiger a few years back. I just stretched them a little, turned out fine.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 2:13 PM

if it dos'nt work theres a Russian company that makes the sperate track links for the T34 that are cheap, im not sure of the companys name but there would be someone on here that would know

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 3:12 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by kaleu

Doesn't the Tamiya kit come with a screw in the lower hull that allows the builder to tighten or lessen the tension on the tracks? IIRC, it was in the rear of the hull?

This was in the static kit? It's part of their RC models but if they include it on their regular ones I'm truly impressed.

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Spamicus

Member since
April 2003
From: Central Wisconsin

Posted by Spamicus on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 5:15 PM

I've got an old Tamiya T34/85 in my hand right now and it has a screw and gearbox in the front. A fella should be able to loosen up the screw slide the idler back, put on the track then slide the idler forward and retighten the screw.

Steve

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 5:17 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Captain Caveman

if it dos'nt work theres a Russian company that makes the sperate track links for the T34 that are cheap, im not sure of the companys name but there would be someone on here that would know

I think said Russian company may be Maquette. I think there was thread on this not that long ago. If you were keen to go down this road, do a search on t34 tracks in the forum.

Matt