The instructions all say to use a heated screwdriver to melt the attachment tabs…is this the best method, or do you guys/gals use an easier/better method?
John…Their way seems to work OK for me. I keep a little can with a candle and a small screw driver on the bench. I’ve built many Tamiya tanks and am now building my first Academey (early Tiger !).They couple the tracks the same way but far more sophisticated linkage.
Bud
Bud, do you put the tracks on during or after final assembly? I’m worried about painting them while I’m painting the rest of the model…not sure if that makes a difference or not.
if you have a soldering iron, that works too but be careful. that’s what I use.
I don’t use the heat method at all. I find that super glueing the tab and squeezing it together gently with needle nose pliers works great. Also, I assemble my model and paint it before the tracks. Once it is complete, I paint my tracks, drybrush and wash them and then attach them last. Also, remember if you want a realistic sag to them, before you attach the hull top to the bottom, dill a few tiny holes in the side and push some straightened paper clips through and glue them. Let them stick out far enough to reach about half way across the rubber track. This will hold them in position. Paint them the same color as the track and you won’t be able to see them. If you want a more detailed description let me know.
Thanks Jason, that’s great info! [:D]
i use superglue. but on an acdemy merkava, the tracks didn’t respond to anything. since it had sideskirts, I stapled them!
i’d paint the track after youve attached um. that paints pretty flammable
tankmaster: cheater!!
I should note that I paint mine first with acrylic paint
I paint first then attach. I have tried CA glue and the heated screw driver methods and I have found that the Screwdriver method is way easier. Just heat the screwdriver and th press it into the tracks.
I paint and weather the tracks separately, then remove the paint at the connecting tabs. Then I put them on and superglue the daylights out of them! Superglue is the greatest stuff. Works fine. After the tracks are on, I weather them a little more along with the rest of the vehicle (i.e. dust spray, etc.)
Jim [:)]
John…as you can see, the tracks go on last after all is done. I weather tracks before I connect, then touch up where I use the hot screwdeiver. I like the one idea of the pins for realistic sag in the top track, especially in Tigers, etc. where you can see the top. I think I mentioned I’m building an Acadeny Tiger 1 (early). Wheel assembly far more tricky than Tamiya’s. Realy have to use tape before the final outside wheels are installed, or they all wind up on the floor. We’re never too old to learn.
Bud[:D]
I did a paint test the other day with my MM enamels, and it stuck to the tracks just fine (I was a little worried). Thanks for all the great input everybody! The current vehicle in question is a Revell of Germany Marder…I’ll post pictures when it’s complete!
I know I asked about Tamiya tracks, btu the same applies to all vinyl tracks, apparently. [:D]
I look forward to seeing it. Abutt2, if you use the pin method to hold them down, you can put a small dab of supergluewhere the track rests on the top of the road wheels too
FYI- here is two examples of the Vinyls I did using that method. I have put these up before, so if you have seen them sorry for the redundancy
http://jasonwest7529.fotopic.net/c307100.html My Jagdpanther
http://jasonwest7529.fotopic.net/c264925.html My Panther