hi guys, maybe because its my skill level, but i am having a real hard time with the magic tracks. how do you guys do it? here is my way. i leave all of the wheels and idlers free to turn if possible. i start off by gluing pieces to run along the bottom, which would be flat and straight, long enought to run the whole bottom lenght, from the middle of the first to last wheel. let that dry overnight or for a couple of hours. then i make me another run straight with testors cement about a quarter of the first length. let it sit for a bit, then wrap it around the drive sprocket while its still bendable and connect it to the bottom length, but not gluing it. i do the same for the idler wheel, then let that sir until its dry. the last run is also flat,then i position it on the top of the wheels, and try to connect it to the other two runs, also not gluing them together, let that dry. that way, i’ll have four lengths. problem is they never seem to add up once they are dry. and how do you paint them, them glue them together without messing up the paint job or leaving a glossy glue mark? any ideas or ways you guys do them is appreciated.
rooster
[censored] work firewall. i’ll check it out when i get home in a few hours. thanks phil. if you check out my kingtiger, you can see what i mean about being my headache. the elephant is a little bit better, but they still seem more of a pain in the [censored] than something people actually want in their kits. i think i just need to find out the trick to them. for your kits, do you paint them in segments, or install them and paint them already glued on?
rooster,you may want to start assembling track and after you get a bunch laid together use some liquid cement and just touch the joint so that the glue is drawn into it .you should be able to see this happen.if the entire joint does not get glued then you may apply to each side of the guide horn.this sets slowly so use this time to build an entire run ,however many links this may be,when you finish the run the track should be flexible enough to get into position.you may also do this in sections.once you have the run laid out straighten it with a ruler or straight edge.i like to lay the ruler against the guide horns to straighten the track.also laying the ruler against the guide horns allows you to apply some pressure to ensure the links arefully together.i hope this helps you insome way.
yeah that’s what i do, my problem is when i try to connect the runs together, they do not meet up. they are crooked, and they sag that i tried to get, ends up going away into a wavy top run.
i guess you just need to ensure they are straight.and manipulate them into the shape you desire.if you wait tillthe tracks are dried this is a real pain as i learned myself ,dont give up. the magic tracks look much better than rubber band tracks.i actually fit the tracks.leave one end open,or un-glued and remove them from the vehicle for painting.this whole task is much easier if the upper and lower hulls have not been joined.just be sure the runis straight before you slide it into position.dont give up or get yourself into a knot ,be patient and the results will show.
I normally glued the return rollers, let loose the drive and idle wheels.
HINT: Do not glue the tracks to any of the wheels, just glue the tracks with a very little bit of glue. Do not use super glue.
The track, I normally start from half way of the drive wheel going down towards the bottom all the way towards the the back to the idle wheel then going up half way. Let glue dried first and do the same to the other side. You should be able to take off the long rail once the glue has dried.
The top part start again from the drive wheel. Take just start making the tracks from the 1st or the 2nd teeth closer to the return rollers. If no return rollers just make sure that the 1st track has a good hold from the drive wheel. Work your way all the way to the back. Do the same to the other side. Let glue dry.
If you do it right, you should be able to let go the tracks from the idle wheels and the drive wheels.
Hope this helps,
Ben
To prevent me from getting bored doing the tracks in one sitting, I put them together during the building process itself. After doing a sub assembly, while waiting for the cement to dry, I do a track section. Very similar to your style, I make the straights first then I build a track section and while the cement is still tacky, I wrap it aroung the sprocket or the idlers. When it’s dry, I pry them off and put the whole thing together after painting them (the tracks)