Vince's Tiger 1 late variant 2017

[Phil Young]

Hey Vince, looks like your “eureka” moment has solved this problem, well done! I can’t wait until tomorrow to try this!
Phil.

[Phil Young]

Hi Vince
Well I tried adjusting the spring tension, as in your video, but mine still continued to complete 2 revolutions before stopping, whatever the spring tension. So I tried operating it by hand, as you did and it stopped every time! But, on closer examination I had my own “eureka” moment..... It’s the micro switch that’s operated by the servo that’s causing the problem. The servo arm rotates to open the micro switch, but doesn’t return fast enough to close the switch, allowing the cam to carry on? It’s only a fraction of a second, but enough to cause the cam to keep turning? So I just need to adjust either the position of the servo arm or micro switch. I hope this helps you.
I’ve stopped for the day now, feeling pleased that I’ve hopefully sorted it. I’ve now created another problem... all my sound effects decided to stop working, then they re-appeared in random order and not responding to my inputs! .

Phil

[Vince Cutajar]

That's great news Phil. Sorry about the sound problem though.

Today after playing with it further and still getting repeatable results, I dismantled the recoil mechanism and drilled a series of holes so that I can adjust the spring tension as required. Cleaned up all the parts and started etch priming them to stop the dreaded rust problem on the steel parts.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Re-assembled the painted recoil mechanism. Took me quite a while to get it re-calibrated again. Installed it in the turret and put it on the hull deck to check if it is still working with R/C. I also checked if there is enough clearance with the barrel at full elevation.

Holes for spring tension adjustment can be seen.

Made a rectangular 5mm thick spacer for the micro-switch close to the servo.

Family shot.

Vince

[Phil Young]

Nicely done Vince! Have you found any difference in performance by using different spring tensioning, besides the obvious faster recoil with strongest tension?

Phil.

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks Phil. I have experimented with various spring tensions until I found one that gives the best results. I was looking mostly at repeatability. This does not mean that this will work for everybody. I think that how easily the barrel slides in the two plastic bushes will affect it. I suspect that when I eventually paint the barrel I will have to re-calibrate it again.

I am still investigating my Plan B. The hardware needed is not that expensive and who knows it might re-introduce me again to an old hobby I had many years ago.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Have been a bit distracted lately. I guess the loss in the post of the small packet I was waiting for did not help either (the packet must be doing a grand tour around the world).

Earlier this week I re-ordered the parts (plus some more things) and keeping my fingers crossed that they won't get lost again. At least I can continue work on the hull roof.

Finished work on the turret spare track lower holders at least.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Did something simple today so did some modification on the mantlet gun sight.

On the later tigers the diameter of the sight is 50mm and also it is a stepped hole. So drilled and reamed 8mm the mantlet hole.

Next made a brass insert with three stepped holes.

Checked for fit in mantlet.

Vince

[Brian Ostlind]

That hole insert you made is awesome!

[Glen Clark]

It is, but it's for too much detail for the likes of me.


Glen.

[Vince Cutajar]

Thanks Brian.

but it's for too much detail for the likes of me.

It's the result of having too much time on my hands.

Vince

[Tom OBrien]

Vince that's some really nice work. Like others, I'm not into that level of detail but will probably go back and re-do some aspects of the build with more detail. Your build will serve as a great reference for much of it, I'm sure.

For now, I'm focused on addressing the issue with the tracks -- that is, they keep coming off the drive sprocket. I checked track alignment, which appears good.

I think I might have over-chamfered the teeth, not to the extent Brian did earlier in his build, but enough maybe to cause the slippage problem. I ordered a new set of sprocket rings from Armortek and hope to see those soon. My next attempt at chamfering will be much lighter and more uniform.

Maybe over-chamfering is causing track slippage from the sprockets.

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi Tom

Sorry to hear about your track problems. Every time somebody mentions it I start getting the jitters.

Your build will serve as a great reference for much of it, I'm sure.

Glad to hear that you find my build log useful. Myself, when I am not certain of something I always go to Tim Bowman's build log to see his photos.

Some of the mods that I have done can, with some ingenuity and patience, be done without using special tools.

Vince

[Vince Cutajar]

Last Monday received the material I had re-ordered and immediately started work on the cleaning rod ends. I re-made them as I wanted them to screw into each other. I made them out of brass as I won't be painting them but let them tarnish naturally.

All that remains is to glue them to the wooden rods. I have never glued wood to metal. I guess two part epoxy is better than liquid superglue or Loctite.

Vince

[Tom OBrien]

Vince,

Most adhesives should work fine with the metal ends-to-wood.

I used a silicon sealant, so if I have to remove the metal ends later, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Just a dab on the end of the rod and let it set for a day or so, and it should be good.

I used a 12 ga. shotgun cleaning swab and re-worked the end of the rod to accept it.

The cleaning swab fits the tube very well, but it's mostly for show -- I don't plan to remove it from its rack.

cheers... Tom