Late Tiger 1

[Vince Cutajar]

Love what you did to the hatch.

Vince

[Robert E Morey]

Hi all - a small update. I thought I'd see what I could do with the stock gunners hatch. On the 2007 kit the hatch inside is basically featureless. I thought I'd tinker around and see what it looks like with some detail added. It may be of use to add to the model afterwards.

After CNC of the internal bosses:



Don't stare at the swirly machine pattern too long - LOL:



Here is an image of the CAD model that it will hopefully resemble....



More to follow soon.....
Bob

[Robert E Morey]

My little hatch project is nearing completion. I think a big improvement over the kit part. One more part to make - the pivot travel limiting arm. Hope to have that wrapped up soon.
Nearly completed CAD:

Before gluing parts:

Installed in turret:

[Christoffer Ahlfors]

Beautiful work!

[Adrian Harris]

Amazing work Bob.

Did you write the CNC code or post-process it from the CAD file ?

Adrian.

[Vince Cutajar]

That's a great upgrade to the hatch Bob.

Vince

[Greg Stephens]

Fantastic! You are pushing me towards buying a $4000 CNC mill that I will puzzle over while it becomes obsolete.

[Robert E Morey]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Adrian - I used Vectric Cut 2D to generate the G- code for my mill from a DXF. Not directly from the model. I made the DXF in AutoCAD first from measurements of the basic hatch. Then created the solid model later - too see how all the parts fit together. Its usually the other way round (model first) - but I made the 2D first this time and machined the hatch pocket with that. Cut2D will post process to my mill controller software -MACH3.

Greg - All technology goes obsolete. But after the requisite learning curve (and outlay of cash) you can make some great stuff with CAD, CNC or 3D printing. Maker-ware has come a long way in the last few years. If you love to learn and make stuff -dive in!
Bob

[Phil Woollard]

Love your work Bob, the loaders hatch is such an important detail for all the Tigers and your example really stands out...phil.

[Robert E Morey]

Thanks Phil, I kinda thought the hatch was a center piece as well. Best regards,
Bob

[Brian Ostlind]

Bob I absolutely love the hatch you have made. Bravo!

[Robert E Morey]

Brian,
Thanks for the Bravo, glad you like it. Here are some final pix of the finish hatch with arm to limit travel/assist w opening hatch. Also a hint of the next part I will attempt to make.









Next part to make:

[simon_manning]

you'll slowly get drawn into more detail without noticing, resistance is futile, lovely job bob, regards simon.

[Robert E Morey]

Hi Simon,
What are you working on these days? Its more a problem with not liking the kit parts (the steel bin got smashed, and bland stock hatches just wont do) and not wanting to spend a fortune on aftermarket parts. Mike Stannard's lovely bin is $500 assembled, which is a little out of my price range at the moment. Even the kit is nearly $400. So I'm making the details better but using mostly inexpensive sheet or scrap and kit parts. A worthwhile effort - but at the rate I'm moving - will add another year to the project.
Bob

[Jeffrey Goff]

Great work on the hatch Bob it looks fantastic, the storage bin will be a big improvement on the one supplied with the kit, and using any scrap metal will be a bonus
Regards Jeff