Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

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Adrian Harris
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Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

Post by Adrian Harris »

The rear plate on this Panzer IV has suffered quite badly from rust during storage.
CD0104 - Rear Plate - reduced.jpg
I could probably clean it up but it would be pretty pitted, so I've had some replacement parts water-jet cut from aluminium:
DSCN1306.JPG
I filed a 45 degree chamfer on the parts, to make a groove to retain the Durafix aluminium rod once molten, then clamped them into position, with a piece of square steel to hold everything true and to retain the heat, as the workshop was at about 5 degrees :shock:

Once the part was fixed I filed off the bulk of the overfill and then finished on the Proxxon disc sander to get a nice flat and true finish.
DSCN1292.JPG
Here's the two parts together:
DSCN1297.JPG
All that's left is to drill the mounting holes and some clearance holes for the idler fillet mounting bolts.

The steel part weighs 850g, whereas the aluminium one weighs just 307g, so over half a kilo of weight saved in just one piece.

Adrian.
Contact me at sales@armortekaddict.uk for details of my smoker fan control module

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Robert E Morey
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Re: Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

Post by Robert E Morey »

Nice Work Adrian,
Looks like the Durafix works well. I have yet to try it. I didn't know you had a PZ4. Good to see.
Best regards,
Bob

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Adrian Harris
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Re: Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

Post by Adrian Harris »

> Looks like the Durafix works well. I have yet to try it.

I can definitely recommend it as a fastener free method of joining aluminium.

With chamfers on both sides, to create a V shaped canal to retain the molten rod, it's really easy to build up the joint so there's the minimum amount to file back, plus there's no build-up on the inside, so you get a very clean finish. I gave it a tug once it had been filed back and there's no give in it at all.

> I didn't know you had a PZ4.

It wasn't part of the plan but I took a punt at the Open Day :shock:

It's a bit of a mixture of old and new kit, so I'll probably be making quite a few replacement bits for it, especially like this one where the steel has rusted from being in storage for so long.

I'd like to make it into an F1 / F2 hybrid, so I can change turrets between the long and short barrelled guns, but that relies on me being able to make the necessary bends and curves :shock:

I'd really need to use same idlers as Günter did for his F1 but I can't get Jürgen to understand his website doesn't seem to be set up to permit ordering from mainland UK. :cry:

Adrian.
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Peter Silcock
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Re: Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

Post by Peter Silcock »

Adrian you have a pm.

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Adrian Harris
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Re: Aluminium replacement CD0104 rear plate

Post by Adrian Harris »

Thanks Peter - now replied.

Adrian.
Contact me at sales@armortekaddict.uk for details of my smoker fan control module

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