All right, this is a great place to post a part of my project which is the Trumpeter 1/16 T-34/85. I planned to scratchbuild the complete PT-3 Mine-roller attachment to go with it.
First thing to do with scratchbuilding is to make a complete research about the subject you want to scratchbuild and then make the complete drawings. That’s what I did:
First is the complete 3D drawings, you have to take the type of material that will be available for you when designing this. You may have to make some compromises to do so which can end up in some differences with the real equipment.
Then the 2D assembly drawing:
And finally, the layout of all individual parts. I sorted them according to the thickness and I’ll print this on a clear self-adhesive sheet so I can set it over the appropriate styrene sheet and follow the contours to cut the parts.
I would really like to make some of the parts in Photoetched brass but I’m not equipped to produce it so…
If you don’t mind me asking, what software are you using to do your drawings? I still do everything “old-school” by hand, with a T-square and a pencil, etc. I love drafting, but there are times I could really use “copy,” “paste,” and “undo” buttons…
I use Solid Edge and Autocad. Of course I didn’t pay for them cause they are quite expensive but I had a Home key from where I work so I can use them at home.
3D CAD software are really easy to use. You don’t have to be a designer to use them. It’s like building something with real material. Instead of drawing straight lines to simulate a steel angle and draw circles to simulate holes, you simply create the 3D steel angle and drill holes in it. Everything is editable. You can always get back in the feature and change the size of a hole. You can even assign a size of bolt for a particular hole and when you change the size of the hole, the bolt will change as well. Very fun to use. PM me if you want to know where to get that software.
I also use autocad programs at work to design jewelry. Thus far, I have started a couple of projects on the computer, but still have a ways to go before they materialize into models.
just to contrast Yann’s elegant 3-d cad cam i will rock it to ya old school with a caliper,good reference and a good eye-- these are my original notes on my t-34 brake linkagage and bulkhead + results—these pics are from over a year ago-hope you find it interesting- still workin’ in factory 183–matt-- the pinball creation is awsome!!–Yann-- you go man!-- thanks— treadwell[8D]
Yann, I know what you mean by 3-d programs are expensive. I use Autocad at work and wish I could use it at home. I just tried the Solid Edge 2D package and was not impressed with it at all. I have no idea how much the 3-D package is. I would like to get a lathe so I can make some parts for scratch building Sci-Fi models. Can’t wait to see how your mine roller comes out.
No! I’m rushing to complete the tank first. I’m in the turret though so I have most of the job completed now. I think I might be able to start the mine-roller in may. I’ll post my progress here as soon as I got something to show.
can’t wait to see it unfold. I’ve been watching your build on the t34. Sick is all I can say. [bow] Rest assured that I will be the first to complain if it appears the roller isn’t to your exceedingly high practically unreachable standards as seen on that beast [;)]
Easy to use ? I’ve had only a few flying hours with an instructor by my side, but I guess, for me it’s prabably easier to land the spaceshuttle than to design something in 3DMax or Rhino, or any of the other 3D applications… or am I just plain stupid ? [:O]
Hey how is this project coming? I am thinking of doing a mine roller in 1/35 scale. Where did you get your references? I have looked with little results.
