New Tiger I Owner and I Need Some Advice

Robert E Morey · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 816 Location: Seattle, WA USA

Joe
Great looking bench and garage set up. Way more organized than mine!

Rocky Sembritzky · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 110 Location: Sugar Land, TX USA

Joe,

Many thanks! That is one slick setup and very well organized too.

This is a big help and gives me some great ideas.

Rocky

Brian Leach · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 266 Location: Scotsdale, AZ USA

Hey!

Nice setup! I kind of like wooden tops, (this way the noise I hear when I am pounding is only me screaming as I hit my thumb Smile

excuse me for asking, but what is the device withe the long handle on the diamond plate trianglular stand? Riviter, press?

Again, nice shop!

Brian

Derek Attree · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 531 Location: london

Looks like a sheet cutter to me.

Derek
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we must stop making stupid predictions

Christoffer Ahlfors · Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 61 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Forgot one mod we need to make for our backdating projects:
Track chevrons were added in october (which is the time stamp for the model).
As the previous Tiger run, a late model, came without chevrons, I suspect all we have to do is to find someone to swap tracks with.
We do, however, have to verify that the dimensions are exactly the same. Sometimes Armortek makes minute changes to improve exactness and the exact lineup between sprocket and track links is extremely important for a running model.

Now, that's a mod that I think I could handle! Laughing

Cheers,
/Chris
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Klotzen, nicht kleckern (Guderian on panzer tactics, but the way I interpret it - it applies to a great many things in life)

Kent Wiik · Guest

Mike Stannard (toyrific) · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Las Vegas NV USA

Hi Guys

Sorry to butt in on this post, but I think what I have to say will be of interest to all Tiger 1 owners. I have found a good aluminum foundry in Mexico which I visited this weekend amoung other places such as machine shops, mold makers and the like. Having read this post about the tracks I am sure I could have these made at the foundry if someone can supply accurate masters. Next trip to Mexico I will take some sample track links to have the mold and casting priced. How many would want a set of these links.

PS. I an also looking into getting the my cupolas cast in aluminum as well.

Will post all info when I have it in the Craftsman's Market.

Regards
Mike
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Rocky Sembritzky · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 110 Location: Sugar Land, TX USA

Mike,

No problem, and thanks for the updates and cupola would be welcome.

Now thanks to all of you that have given me your advice and help.

I have decided to go with a solid paint scheme and my first choice is a 501 Tunisian Tiger and my preference is 731, "Norbert" if I can figure out how to do the markings.

I am still open to a Panzer Grey Tiger if I can find one with vivid markings and the fiefels.

The lift should arrive next week so all I need is the Tiger.

Rocky

Joe Boylan · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:18 am Post subject:

Hi everyone :
Sorry I haven't had time to answer some of the comments above- working lots of long hours!

A hardboard top is on the way - you are right after hitting my fingers a couple of times I think it's time for a wooden or black masonite "hardboard top". The aluminum isn't good for sliding metal on, but its sturdy.

The item on the diamond plate stand is a "Throatless Beverly Sheer" for cutting sheet metal.
This is the only time you will find the table and garage clean and in order - it will soon look like ever one else's.

Joe

Tim Bowman · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:16 pm Post subject:

Hi everyone

Saw this post and thought I would reply regarding the late style links. As Kent mentioned, several of us have looked into having these made over the past year. Me included. Mike, I have the completed 3D files for the links but have put my Tiger on hold for the moment. However, I could have some patterns made to send your way if you believe you have a viable resource. When I looked into it, it was a $5,000.00(plus) for the initial cost of the tooling and then several dollars per part. So approximately $1,500/set if I had made 5 sets just to break even on my cost. Not to mention my development and production time involved.

I decided to spend the money on a PIII instead. Very Happy

and my plan is to make my links(non metal) for the spares on my own late Tiger though.

Olaf was looking into it as well and if they are anything like his late-style King Tiger links, count me in. Cool

Joe, What a great looking work bench! Nicely done.

Kindest regards
Tim
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Mike Stannard (toyrific) · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Las Vegas NV USA

Hi Tim

Was the $5000.00 tooling for diecasting, the way I plan to do it will be no where near that price for tooling. They will be cast in quality aluminum, which I beleive is stronger that diecasting. From other parts I have had priced cast in aluminum I am guessing retail at around $1000.00 $1200.00 per set of links, will need to comfirm this once I have a sample link to show the caster.

Regards
Mike
_________________
Customer service and quality is my priority.
toyrific@mindspring.com

Steven Day · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Chelmsford

Sorry to piggyback on your message, but I could do with some reassurance or a wake-up call from experienced model tank builders.

I need to know if its possible to build the Tiger 1 with basic engineering experience, hand and power tools, or should I expect to have parts machined to get it built?

Some of the posts I've read seem to suggest a lot of owners either own lathes and other engineering plant in their workshops. I even meet a guy that bought 3 armortek tanks in various unfinished states, and in the end he gave these to someone else to build because some of the components didn't fit without some machining.

I've also been waiting a long time to buy my Tiger 1, having missed out on earlier production runs, and I'm desperate to build this baby all by myself if possible, but without the need to buy specialist plant.

What do you guys think, am I setting myself up for a whole lot of hurt?

Steve

Derek Attree · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 531 Location: london

Hi Steve
You do not need a shop full of plant to build these models.
The guys that do a lot of machining are normaly building super detail
models with items modified to be super detailed.
I have built a Panther and I am converting a PZIII to a stug so I have done a lot of machining.
The latest tanks are really superb.
To put these models together from the box the basics I would say you need are the following.

Pistol drill I use battery operated one
drill bits
taps for threads.
hand files
spanners
allen keys
Some bench trolly to work on that is strong.
And some glues and paint and car body filler for screw heads.
Also time to do things nice and slow and enjoy.

Hope this helps

Derek
_________________
we must stop making stupid predictions

Adrian Harris · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 938 Location: Berkshire, UK.

Steve - if you're looking back over the previous Tiger builds specifically, then I understand that Mark has incorporated a lot of the machined changes which people did to the earlier releases into the 2010 Mid Tiger.

That's one of the reasons I have bought one, so that I can compare it to the Early Tiger and build the two in tandem, incorporating the changes in the Early as I go.

The problem with these tanks is that, although they build into a fantastic model "out of the box", it's a slippery slope once you start building them. You'll see someone post a part or a detail change on the forum, look at it for a few minutes and think - "yeah, I could do that". And with that, you're off on the super detailing path Evil or Very Mad

I do own a lathe, and have a savings plan in place for a mill, but neither are needed to put one of these kits together. The hand and power tools which Derek has listed are all that is required.

Adrian.

Brown Hawkins · Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Denver, Colorado

Steve,

I want to also calm any fears you have about tools needed for building these tanks, I had them too. I have been working on a King Tiger for almost 3 weeks now and have a mini lathe (might even be a micro!) that was using to drill some holes and do some basic milling. Not really needed, could have used a hand drill. Compared to some of the guys that post here I'm barely a step above a hand drill anyway. The tools I have used the most so far are files (flat and round), allen wrenches, and emery cloth (in that order). Primer paint comes in at a distant fourth for use. I'm expecting even less need for the files on the upcoming Tiger 1 model.

An airbrush just arrived in the mail for detail painting at a later date.

I am being pulled down the super-detail route (don't tell my wife)! I'll post some pics of my "milling" setup tonight to show folks have laughable, but workable, basic tools can be. Oh, I have also used a dremel to enlarge some bolt holes.

If I can build one of these models anyone can!

Cheers,

Brown