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

[John]

I'm going to order some of this ..

https://freetimehobbies.com/12-black-chain-40-links-per-inch-good-for-1-700-ship-model-anchor-chains/

[CHUCKGEO]

I received the MT Abrams Green Pack as a Christmas gift, so now I have six more tanks. I'd like to super detail then as in the previous posts, Could someone please post the prices and link for the resin sets of one-piece Abrams wheels/treads. Thankyou.

[peteski]

I received the MT Abrams Green Pack as a Christmas gift, so now I have six more tanks. I'd like to super detail then as in the previous posts, Could someone please post the prices and link for the resin sets of one-piece Abrams wheels/treads. Thankyou.

Chuck, the ordering info is in the Trading Post section (which you can't access until you have 25 posts).  Here is a copy of that info (s you can got to detail your tanks instead of posting messages here to reach 25). 

First batch is finally available! 

I have 26 sets of treads, 3D Printed in gray resin, available for purchase.  One set includes a left side and right side tread, to complete one MTL tank upgrade.


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



https://i.imgur.com/5eSP0tX.jpg


$6.50/set plus your choice shipping (below).

6 or more sets gets you free priority shipping!

Shipping options:
US First Class Padded Envelope - $4
US Priority Box - $8

[Mark W]

Chuck, the ordering info is in the Trading Post section (which you can't access until you have 25 posts).  Here is a copy of that info (s you can got to detail your tanks instead of posting messages here to reach 25). 

And to update that, these are also now available from Spring Creek Model Trains via email or phone order, alongside thousands of other N Scale products.
The M1A2 Detail kit comes with enough parts for 6 tanks, including treads, spare wheels, tracks, and grenade launcher tubes. 

Last I heard, they're down to 5 kits left.  I'm making more as fast as I can though.

http://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/contact.html


https://i.imgur.com/7XkHtVK.jpg

[Mark W]

So after 2 or 3 hours of installing loose chain tie-downs for just one tank, I didn't want to hear it when @peteski and others pointed out they still look horribly over-sized. 

Well, glad you all did that!  Now I have this. 


https://i.imgur.com/UIz8hr4.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/R38YSEn.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/c99I8uq.gif

[John]

That looks fantastic .. is that the etched chains?   I like it ..

My biggest worry is that if I want to remove the load for storage --- how would you make that work?

[Mark W]

That looks fantastic .. is that the etched chains?   I like it ..

My biggest worry is that if I want to remove the load for storage --- how would you make that work?

3D printed chains!


https://i.imgur.com/69BPPMY.jpg


You'll have to implement a Train Taco storage system.   


https://i.imgur.com/Du5OVs6.jpg

[John]

3D printed chains!


https://i.imgur.com/69BPPMY.jpg


You'll have to implement a Train Taco storage system.   


https://i.imgur.com/Du5OVs6.jpg

[peteski]

Better modeling through peer pressure Mark!

Outstanding!
I was hoping you would pick up on the 3D printing hint.  With all the wonderful things you printed, this was a no brainer.

I would also pin the tanks to the car's decks before installing chains. To me permanent mounting would make most sense (and with pinning there is not glue to ooze out).

[Santa Fe Guy]

Next task paint the pads on the tracks and use Tamiya Rubber Black or Flat Black.
Then they will look really cool.
Rod.

[CHUCKGEO]

Just spoke to Deb and ordered two sets of the M1A2 Detail Kit. No issues with telephone connection as warned on their website. Deb was very nice, and I'm looking forward to receiving the kits. I may use the two extra track sets on scratch built oil field vehicles.

[MarcVanCleven]

I can firmly say that I am very thankful to Micro Trains having these DODX flats produced. They look great!

With that being said, I'm going to order those replacement treads that Mark W has been producing. Not only because the better detail but also because of the error Micro Trains made with the Abrams... I attached photos of what I discovered. With CAD/CAM there should be no errors, and when I started to look closer, I was surprised to see that the left versus right treads didn't match. Not only are the tread angles wrong, but the road wheels are out of position. I just don't get it, especially when MT charges $16 for a pair.

I love what Mark W has done with 3D printiing to make these Armour vehicles better models, and has given me the incentive to investigate and purchase other "N-Scale" armour. Looking at my collection of 1/144 scale models, and measuring with a N-Scale ruler, I'm going to get rid of my 1/144 and start collecting true "N-Scale" military vehicles.

Now I got to figure out how to "de-stress" my Deluxe Innovations DODX flats so I can run them with my MTs.

Marc in Madison, WI

[John]

I can firmly say that I am very thankful to Micro Trains having these DODX flats produced. They look great!

Absolutely ... I'm glad they did them as well ..

With that being said, I'm going to order those replacement treads that Mark W has been producing. Not only because the better detail but also because of the error Micro Trains made with the Abrams... I attached photos of what I discovered. With CAD/CAM there should be no errors, and when I started to look closer, I was surprised to see that the left versus right treads didn't match. Not only are the tread angles wrong, but the road wheels are out of position. I just don't get it, especially when MT charges $16 for a pair.

Wow    .. I thought the road wheels looked odd when I put the first couple of tanks together ... but this is totally unsatisfactory .. it's like the CAD person might have been a little lazy or rushed and flipped the drawing.

Ok .. I edited this .. looking at the drawings I found online -- it appears there may be some offset on the rear end ,,




 @Shipsure -- thoughts?  Can you re-tool these and fix them since its such an obvious error ..

I love what Mark W has done with 3D printiing to make these Armour vehicles better models, and has given me the incentive to investigate and purchase other "N-Scale" armour. Looking at my collection of 1/144 scale models, and measuring with a N-Scale ruler, I'm going to get rid of my 1/144 and start collecting true "N-Scale" military vehicles.

Unfortunately, outside of Shapeways -- there isn't much out there that I am aware of .. 1/144 and 1/200 are pretty much it .. NscaleKits sells an M1 -- but I haven't seen one yet

Now I got to figure out how to "de-stress" my Deluxe Innovations DODX flats so I can run them with my MTs.

Destress?

[Wolf N Works]

I might be mis remembering as it aphas been more than 20 years since driving these but the real wheels do not line up. This is do to the offset of the torsion bars, if I am remembering correctly that is

[John]

Ok .. so I did a little more research .. here is one of the 1/72 kits I found online .. take a look at the parts sprue alignments .. I also edited a couple of the pictures ..

Here is the origional




Added some lines to show the alignment ..




and then superimposed the treads from the parts sprue .. it clearly shows the offset ..



I also compared the tread replacements that @Mark W makes, and they have the same offset .. probably because he used the MT pattern .. so the only "fix" would be the see through and tread detail .

I don't model worth a crap, sometimes jump to rasch conclusions -- but I can at least contribute some research