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

[Lemosteam]

John has shared a bit more feedback with me offline and I'm well on my way toward an improved detail kit.   While I still think re-using the MTL skirts is the best option, I admit the major flaw in the first version of the 3D detail kit is printing the wheels and treads individually.  Since the top of the wheels are hidden under the skirt, I can run a support beam across there to have all the wheels printed exactly in place and in a stronger and much easier to build part that mates right up with the modified skirt.
I also realized that on the skirt, you can cut those posts off without worry as the back of the skirt butts up to the exhaust grill part for alignment, making the part modification much easier as well. 

I'm definitely liking the spare hub and tracks hung on the turret!  And I maintain that daylighting is a big improvement, but yes, still need to work on making the task shorter and sweeter.

I was thinking that there really is no reason to model the road wheels or sprocket off the track, with a sprue all the way across the top of the wheels this would strengthen the whole printing.  You could also run some sprues behind the wheels lo link them together and the modeler would remove them after the track and wheel assembly is attached to the side plate armor.  This would keep the bottom track from bowing during install and take much of the modeler's work away.  I suspect also that the sprocket is difficult to get into the track because of the curve of the track.  That could be two halve that interlock just before the assembly is put behind the armor. 

@Mark W , Please note I am not trying to criticize your design- I know what you were aiming for.

[Mark W]

Mark, Please note I am not trying to criticize your design- I know what you were aiming for.

I welcome the critique.  Looks like we're in agreement on what needs to happen for version two. 

Just to explain my original thought process, the reason for going with separate wheels on v1 is, well that's my default.  I get it from autos where one might want to assemble the wheel in a turning position, and of course to make painting tire and fender easier.  With the tank wheels and track, well there's no steering and really no need paint wheels separately either. 
So yes, V2 should be much much easier for the end-user.   

Also, normally I don't make models available until I've received and built the first test print, so that's also on me. 

[John]

Also, normally I don't make models available until I've received and built the first test print, so that's also on me. 

I for one appreciate that you did .. I hope i didn't create any issues for you ... it's fun to have something no one else has 

[Mark W]

My prints finally arrived and just in time for the weekend!



https://i.imgur.com/NwYmjbD.jpg


As difficult it is to work with Shapways anymore, they definitely still produce some quality prints.  This sets the bar pretty high for my Anycubic Photon (arrives Tuesday). 

https://i.imgur.com/QYea3ZE.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/WtfTCm3.jpg


After these quick photos, the parts went straight to the Bestine bath.  The real fun is about to begin.

[John]

Looking forward to seeing your version

[Mark W]

Okiedokie.   Got to play around with the version 1 detail set.  I didn't spend much time documenting instructions since we already know some improvements to the kit are necessary.  And with that, I want everyone to click this link back to John's post and give this man upvotes!  Working with these individual wheels was crazy tedious! 


Each wheel is has a groove that is supposed to spread over the raised nubs.  However the tolerance was too tight, so each wheel had to be filed.  The teeth of the drive sprocket does mesh with the tracks, however to insert it, several teeth must be removed from the rear side.  I removed half the teeth from the rear side, and was surprised that it popped into place much easier than expected. 


https://i.imgur.com/fV7NJTp.jpg


I ended up removing the skirts from the old part entirely, even cutting those posts away so I was left with a single flat piece.  The 3D printed drive sprocket is a few tenths of a mm too wide so I did a combination of very carefully sanding material from the back side, and thinning the skirt panel for the drive sprocket.  One thing I've noticed and read during research, the sprocket skirt panel was often removed entirely since it frequently clogged with dirt and mud.  I'll make V2 of the detail part so that one can remove this panel and reveal more sprocket detail. 

Finally, what's not pictured is I took a strip of .080" square styrene and glued a 'shelf' to the bottom hull piece.  This keeps the delicate, flexible 3D printed tracks straight in line, and takes pressure off the front and rear bits of track so the whole tank rests on the bottom 7 wheel hubs.  And still loving the extra tracks and hub on the turret!


https://i.imgur.com/0KOmW4d.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/tpBwIYm.jpg


If we're lucky, I'll get some paint on these today. 

[John]

These treads really make a difference folks .. if you can make them a 1 piece kit -- I think they will make a very viable upgrade part ..

[Jesse6669]

Looks fantastic!  As a military/air/etc. modeler it's nice to see attention to flatcar loads doing justice to the prototype.

[Mark W]

If you haven't been following the Anycubic Photon thread, I purchased my own 3D printer and have used it to re-design our Tank Treads into a single part replacement. 


https://i.imgur.com/cerlZxD.jpg


Here's the MTL Original Part, the assembled and crazy fragile original part from Shapeways, and my resin printed single part.


https://i.imgur.com/8OCJouJ.jpg


And here is the resin part, painted and assembled!


https://i.imgur.com/5eSP0tX.jpg
 

There are a few more experiments I want to play with for printing the new part.  Once I find the optimal printing methods, I plan to get some opaque grey resin and make a whole bunch of treads and additional details available for this kit. 

[John]

That looks really good .. are you also going to have a set up on shapeways?

[peteski]

That looks really good .. are you also going to have a set up on shapeways?

What I'm reading from all this is that Mark will print those on his home-printed and sell them directly to the interested parties.

I also have question about mark's model:  he included a spare wheel and some spare tracks tacked onto the turret.  I thought (reading this thread, as I'm no military expert) that when tanks are shipped on flat cars they are stripped of pretty much all "accessories".

[Mark W]

Post 59 identifies a few different types of Tank Trains.  Unless they're coming new from the factory, you can find all sorts of things tied down.


I hate sounding like a broken record, but the latest changes at Shapeways just raises cost too much, so it's unlikely I will continue making parts available there.  I do plan to make my own prints available instead, but I'm still working out those details. 

[peteski]

Post 59 identifies a few different types of Tank Trains.  Unless they're coming new from the factory, you can find all sorts of things tied down.

Got it - thanks Mark!

[Peavine]

Man,  those tracks look great! I might have to order a few for some of the next batches of micro trains  flatcars. Here’s my finished product in the NATO scheme. The tiedowns were a PITA, but once you figure out to bend the little tabs in towards the center of the car they’re not that bad to assemble, and actually look pretty good

[Mark W]

Nice job on that paint! 

We sure got side tracked being 9 pages in before the first show of the tie-downs.