The Official Armortek Forum - World leader in one sixth scale metal kits

A first posting! I am awaiting delivery of my KT next week and as it will be my first build of anything like this I would welcome advice as to what are the most useful tools that I should think about acquiring beyond the obvious hand files etc I may have restored a classic sports car and built our own home but I have no engineering background and neither experience gets close to the detailed metal work etc work this is going to need ...but I do love learning new skills.
Mark and Gill have been great and I know there is lots of frendly help and advice out there via the Forum and I look forward to making contact.
Martin Taylor

Hi Martin,
Welcome aboard.
I would guess if you restore a classic sports car you may have many of the tools required, But here is a list of the tools i use most and would recomend for a build.
1, A good set of files, Various sizes.
2, A Dremmel with cutting discs, grinding bits etc.
3, A good set of allen keys.
4, A electric drill, With drills ranging from 1/32 up to 1/2.
5, Lots of wet and dry sanding sheets from coarse to smooth.
6, A bench vice.

The above items are used the most but it also depends on how detailed you want to go. Dont forget you will also need lots of consumables such as etch primer, araldite, Filler and paints.

Good luck with the build and dont forget to ask if you need any advice, there are so many other builders out there who can help if you get stuck.

Steve
PS. Post some pictures when you start your build.

Hi Martin
Welcome to the hobby.
The best advice is measure and plan everything
then think about it some more ----- then do it...
Tools to build the kits out of the box are few and listed in the instuctions
if you want to super detail get tools as you need them but some just use Mr Dremel.

Most of all HAVE FUN and if unsure just Ask

Regards

Derek

Welcome to the forum Martin.

A pilar drill is also useful.

Regards Stewart

Martin

First of all welcome to the club
Read all that is written above...
Assemble the kit, all bolts finger tight, look what fits like a glove and where things don't.
Then disassemble and correct the problem (at least that's the way i do it...)
That way you see what isn't as it should be...
Don't just start drilling and so on

If you get stuck somewhere there's always someone somewhere that can offer help...

Greetings from Belgium

Sven.

Many thanks for all your warm welcomes and helpful advice which I shall certainly follow up. I will keep you informed about progress and will no doubt seek help via the King Tiger forum section in due course!
Martin

Hello Martin

Welcome to the Nut house. I live in Eastwood you are Quite welcome to visit Battle group Central Workshop. Give me a Ring number on my website. www.newthopremodels.co.uk

Lee

Two things that our colleagues have not mentioned for large RC models, like Armortek's, are time and a suitable workbench. Our first ex-kitchen table was really not up to the job and finally a leg dropped off from metal fatigue.

My son and I have just constructed the mother of all workbenches - 3mx1m - with legs (3 lengths each) and substructure built of 20x5cm joists. The whole thing glued and screwed. It takes all our strength to lift the b****r.

I suspect that it would just about take a real Tiger - or at any rate a few of the more substantial components.

In the past I have been privately a little worried when I've seen these big heavy models balancing precariously on Black & Decker type folding work benches. At these sorts of weight, safety is a real consideration.

Thanks Steve,
I realisd that the old Black & Decker collapsible bench would probably do just that and finally decided to use self-assembly heavy duty shelving//bench from machine mart. It says it will take up to 350KG per shelf so I am hoping it will be strong enough and i can always extend it by adding more sections if needed.

Martin
To manage my Tiger 1 I got hold of a hydraulic lifting table and a pair of motor cycle ramps. I can now get the Tiger on and off the table and in and out of the car! I had to make up some extra support blocks and levers to help move the tank around but that is all sorted and makes it so much easier.
Best wishes
Steve

Thanks Steve,
I have given the issue of how to get the KT off my work bench some preliminary thought and I am sure that ramps and/or a lift of some sort will feature in the solution.
Martin