Best Of Detailing the Micro-Trains DODX M1 Abrams Tank Sets

[John]

Here we go!  Beta Detail Set is now available!  http://shpws.me/QMIc

I went ahead and threw in a compete tank's worth of spares. 



I'll appreciate feedback from anyone willing to give the un-tested print a try.

How are these going to work .. cut off all the existing wheels and just replace with these? 

[Mark W]

More or less, yes.  I'll take a few photos with cut lines and instructions. 

[peteski]

More or less, yes.  I'll take a few photos with cut lines and instructions.

Since you ended up designing a 3-d part from scratch, wouldn't it have been easier if you designed a direct-replacement 3-d part instead of having to cut off the tracks and wheels from the MTL part, then assemble and glue the all the loose 3-d parts and the modified MTL fender?  Easy-peasy!

With all the CAD design, I would have gone with a direct replacement of the MTL part. Or would the additional cost of the resin needed to print the fender parts have made it too expensive? 

[Mark W]

Wouldn't it have been easier if you designed a direct-replacement 3-d part instead of having to cut off the tracks and wheels from the MTL part, then assemble and glue the all the loose 3-d parts and the modified MTL fender?

Easier to assemble, definitely.  But yes, most likely a bit more expensive.  They're already about twice as much as I expected they'd be.  It's been a while since I've opened up the 3D tools and done any work, and I'm finding that Shapeways new pricing structure (and new site in general, holy cow!) is just a nightmare. 

Since the existing skirts are very nice (heh), I figured let's use them since we got them.  It will be very easy to cut out the wheels/tracks, just may need to use a shim as a guide when making the cut. 

[peteski]

Easier to assemble, definitely.  But yes, most likely a bit more expensive.  They're already about twice as much as I expected they'd be.  It's been a while since I've opened up the 3D tools and done any work, and I'm finding that Shapeways new pricing structure (and new site in general, holy cow!) is just a nightmare. 

Since you have the stl files ready for printing, I wonder if Out Of The Box models would offer you better prices then Shapeways. See https://outoftheboxmodels.com/collections/services/products/3d-printing-services  Their printouts are better than FXD (or whatever Shapeways calls it now)

[John]

I'm fine with the idea of cutting off the old treads to save the detail from the original sides

[John]

Just got word my shapeways order has shipped

[Mark W]

Already?!  They said mine won't ship until the 26th!  Sure I added two additional items, but dang.   

[John]

While I am waiting for the shapeways treads for the MT tanks ... I repainted the one I messed around with earlier, and did some touch up with colored pencils and a black sharpie .. I think this approach is a viable alternative for those of you not wanting to do a lot of work on this ..

[John]

Not to add a lot of thread drift, but another viable load is the Dragon 1/144 M113 APC .. it actually measures pretty close ..

[Mark5]

Looking good! 

[flight2000]

Don't forget, GHQ has an M1A2 available as another option and it's in 1:160 scale.    

http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/58003.html

Cheers,
Brian

[John]

Some good info here ..

https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m1.htm

[John]

A few more mods to the MT M1 .. These can be made with just a little styrene, and once painted, add some more visual interest ..

[Santa Fe Guy]

These look fantastic considering the scale.
Here's one I built in 1:35 scale two years ago before I got back into model railroading.
Might help with adding some details.
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Rod.