Steel Track Links

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi all

I have managed to found a very good quality foundry that have produce some very nice track links and so I have added more links to the Tiger 1 early and King Tiger links that I am currently having made, and yes unfortunately I only have German vehicles at this point so I am only doing links to suit.

Panzer III

I have an early P3 that has been throwing the right track for some time and after some investigation it would seem that my track links have a problem. When I lay the track out flat and perform the “how much slack do I have” bend test I was very surprised to see that the tracks curved considerably in one direction but only just off straight in the other. My estimation is that the pin holes in the links are not parallel, has anyone else observed this on their tracks?

So best fix new links, and since I have this new foundry why not...

The first articles for inspection will be sent to me tomorrow with the first production set to follow once I approve the design and fit, based on the quality of the KT links I don’t see any problems. The price for a set of these including pins and locking pins is AU$1550 plus freight and fees.

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Panther

The Panther links have been in the pipeline for some time now and the first 2 production sets will arrive in the next few weeks, but as with the KT links the original foundry has more than doubled the price which has cause a major rethink.

So if there is enough interest I will retool and order through the new foundry, as with the Late Tiger 1 links I would need to have 8-10 orders to make it cost effective, I have all I need so the retooling required will be order driven. Price including pins, collars and locking pins will be AU$2365 plus freight and fees.
Yes they have been designed to fit the AT drive and road wheels but as yet have not been tested on a tank.

Tiger 1 Early and Late

At this stage I am still 2 orders short of the numbers required to keep the prices within acceptable limits on both the Early and the Late options, just require 2 more orders for each option.

[Jerry Carducci]

Liam what became of the King Tiger/ JagdTiger links?

Jerry

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi Jerry

On the “King Tiger Steel Track Links” post, the one currently below.

Thanks
Liam

[Liam Mahoney]

Ok, since Jerry has pointed out that I have overlooked the other links I make being on the Steel Track Link post, I had best fix this oversight.

King Tiger

I will shortly be track testing the King Tiger links that are currently being produced by an alternative and very competent foundry. The price for these links with the same option for the pins is AU$2,275 links and AU$655 pins, collars and locking pins (total AU$2930) plus freight and fees. See the “King Tiger Steel Track Link” post for all the details.

Tiger 1

The price for these links will be subject to the order number received, please see “Early Tiger 1 Steel Track Links and Pins” for details.

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Thanks
Liam

[Gian Marco Menozzi]

HI Liam Mahoney
do you have any idea of the cost of shipping in Italy,
my fear is that it is higher than the cost of the tracks for the PZIII
regards
Marco

[Gerhard Michel]

Hi,

I bought a set of steel track links from Vincent and had about 300 € shipping costs from Hong Kong to Germany; in addition a tax of 19 %.

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi all
The Panzer III samples have arrived and I must say I am impressed they look better in the flesh than in the photos, but that could just be my old eyes.

The original link is what I based these on, I didn’t think they would be able to get the right look but I think it is just right not a new link look I know but with a little mud?

Thanks
Liam

[Jerry Carducci]

I like these Liam; They'd look good with my StuG III wearing them!

Jerry

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi All
Apologies to those that I have been late (or missed) replying to, things are very busy down here, but I have finally finished the testing of the track links. Unfortunately I spent more time on the charger than driving, thinking some of them new fangled batteries might be needed, the upshot was a lot of very satisfying driving in the mud and the dry and I am very happy with my new supplier as the links ran faultlessly.

King Tiger showed a little wear on the aluminium drive sprockets mainly on the areas that the B link runs on but it is not a problem just very loud track noise which I think is prototypical? I will be making steel drive sprockets in the new year that match the links but I believe the aluminium sprockets will last the life of the tank.

The little Panzer III has never run so good, admittedly I did do a full service on the suspension but I believe the tracks made the suspension work as it should. I am very happy with the outcome and think that the links do make a difference to the look of a driving tank.

I will try and contact every one currently on the list, but just in case I miss you, could all those that expressed interest if you are still interested please send me a PM or email.

Unfortunately I haven’t reached the numbers required for the Tiger 1 early or late links yet but will revisit them in the new year.

The Panther links are due to be tested in the next month or so.

Thanks Liam

[Jerry Carducci]

First class Liam! Count me in please...

If there was a cad drawing for a sprocket ring available I'd love to send it to a laser cutter I know so I could try a steel ring also...

Jerry

[Gerhard Michel]

Just a hint: I'm using steel track links with aluminium sprockets on 3 of my tanks; partially for more than 10 years. The wear of the sprockets is moderate; so I mean that aluminium for the sprockets and steel for the track links is the right combination to avoid immoderate wear on each part. Only Vincent's steel track links on my Jagdpanther caused excessive wear of the sprocket rings, but they didn't fit mechanically to the sprockets.

IMHO steel sprocket rings are not necessary.

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi Gerhard
Yes I agree completely, but I have had steel sprockets with steel links on the Tiger 1’s for the past 6 years without problems, I think the key is a good aligned setup that is free running.

Hi Jerry
Yes I can supply CAD/DXF for your laser cutting.

Thanks
Liam

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi all
My steel King Tiger/Jagdtiger and Panzer III track links are finally ready to ship, and I have a few sets left so if anyone is interested just drop me a PM.

Thanks
Liam

[Liam Mahoney]

Hi all
I finally have some time to update the progress of the Panther track links, it has taken a lot longer than expected but the results are worth the wait. As my Panther is still some time off being finished I had to use a friend’s Jagd and a few weekends back we managed to run up a few more hours drive time and I am very happy with the links fit and drive. What was very surprising was to find that at the end of the day when I removed the tracks I found a small rock between the guide horns with no damage to the tracks or tank, the benefits of running loose tracks?

The links can be ordered with split/cotter pins or press fit roll pins?
Anyone interested please send through you address details and I can quote including freight.

Thanks
Liam

[Liam Mahoney]

Tiger 1 Early and Late steel Links

I have decided to order the tooling for both the Early and Late Tiger 1 track links.
The tooling will take 6-8 weeks with the first test set delivered to me 6-8 weeks later, once tested I will be ordering production sets.
Anyone interested in ordering these links please PM your email and address for a current pricing quote.

Thank you
Liam