Pz III New Build

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:00 am

Stephen,

That is a really nice effect. Now that you said how you did it I can see it, but it really is convincing.

Like Dave, I look forward to the pictures!

Brian

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:55 pm

Some more work on the sprockets.

Using a form tool, I cut the characteristic concave profile (original above):

Using Dremel cutters, all the kit machining marks were removed and the surfaces roughened:

The edges need rounding off:

Once complete, the roughed surfaces can be smoothed with a Dremel finishing wheel to achieve the appearance of German cast steel (contrast the two spokes on the right with the top left):

The bolts surrounds had a rebate and I milled this on a rotary table, adding the bolts and castellated nuts on both sides of the sprockets:

Finally, cast numbers were added:

Final result:

I'm now working on re-profiling the hub caps to finish the sprockets. A lot of work but I think it captures the essence of the real ones.

Regards

Stephen

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 10:15 pm

Stephen,

Somehow I do not see this as work for you.

This is inspiring!

And thanks for the class.

What did you say that you are building next?

Cheers to you!
Brian

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:18 pm

Excellent looking sprocket Stephen

You've got the dremel cast finish off to a tee

Adrian.

Ian Rodney · Post by **Ian Rodney** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 12:16 am

Hi Stephen,

Great looking sprockets, I've been watching your progress on them and almost finished my own set for my panzer III.

Could you tell me how you created the cast numbers on your sprockets!
and are the bolts a 3mm size to fit the castellated nuts! I've got plenty of the castellated nuts from Steve Winstone, it's just the bolts I need!

Can you recommend a company where I can buy these bolts in the UK.

Many thanks

Cheers
Ian
from Glasgow, Scotland

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:47 am

Brian

It's a Comet from Third Royal Tank Regiment next but I've no idea when I'll be starting it.

Ian

The casting numbers are from Slaters 2mm lettering. It's used in the model railway world and is easily available. I get mine from

www.squirestools.com

The sprocket bolts are to scale size. Use 7BA One Size Smaller (ie 7BA shank with 8BA head) which you can get from EKP:

www.ekpsupplies.co.uk

Thanks for your interest all.

Regards

Stephen

Ian Rodney · Post by **Ian Rodney** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:33 am

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the info on the casting numbers and bolt sizes, I'll pop into a local railway shop in town to see if they have got these casting numbers, and order up the bolts for my sprockets.

Regards
Ian
from Glasgow, Scotland

Ian Rodney · Post by **Ian Rodney** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:26 pm

Hi Stephen,

I just wanted to ask you a few more questions on the PZ III Sprocket BOLTS again.

When you ordered up your bolts from EKP SUPPLIES was the sizes 8BA X 3/8" ST HEX QTY 100 at Â£8.25.

The reason I ask you is I was thinking of the length of the bolt!
I'm just checking the the right size of these bolts that fits Steve Winston's castellated nuts before I go and order them up from EKP.

Many thanks, cheers

Ian
from Glasgow, Scotland

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:57 am

Ian

No problem. The bolts I used are 7BA x 1/2" Sm Hex QTY 50. (Note the SM = one size smaller. I should have explained that to get a shank that is close to the M3 thread on the nuts, you need 7BA. They aren't a perfect fit but that's no problem, you just have to epoxy them on and grind off the surplus shank. The 8BA head is about right for scale. I don't know of any source for metric one size smaller bolts, which would have been better. You'll also need to make a small rebate on the insides of the sprocket to accomodate the nuts flush to the sprocket ring.

Hope that all makes sense.

Regards

Stephen

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:22 am

Hi Stephen

Great job on your sprocket

Very nice.

Kind regards
Tim

Ian Rodney · Post by **Ian Rodney** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:31 am

Hi Stephen,

Thank you once again for all the information, on sizes etc of the bolts you used for the sprockets, and about the small rebate to accommodate the flush to the sprocket ring.

Much appreciated for all your help in this matter.

Regards
Ian
from Glasgow, Scotland

Sarah Frazer · Post by **Sarah Frazer** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:24 pm

Hi Stephen,

Another great job, the sprocket looks really good. looking forward to seeing it at the open day.

Sarah

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:03 pm

Turned the kit sprocket hub covers to give the original domed and rounded shape:

Regards.

Stephen

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:40 pm

The final drive housings were cast and so needed some surface treatment:

Then, taking advantage of a half decent day, and after a lot of surface preparation to represent the rolled steel plate, the red primer and RAL 8020 base coats went on:

I've still got the RAL 7027 camoulfage colour to do but at last, something that looks presentable. Might just make the Open Day under its own steam.

Regards

Stephen

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:20 pm

First coat of RAL 7027 camouflage on and a coat of Citadel Purity Seal Satin Acrylilc varnish to seal. First side final installation of the running gear. The camouflage is a bit stark in its natural state but it should tone down with filters, washes and so on. Priority though is to get mobile. An accumate charger and some ATV channels to load her onto the car came today, so it's coming together.

Regards

Stephen

Pz III New Build

Final Drives

Next bit - turned sprocket hub covers

Paint Job

Eleven wheels on my wagon