Eric's HL M4A3/M10A1/M36/VC Firefly

[Ecam]

Saw it here on the forum. Used 14/3 romex rolled flat (with a bead roller). Super easy to work with, form and solder.

[ALPHA]

LOL...Looks just like the ones I made for my FOV Sherman build....but I don't think you were around when I did it...and I'm pretty sure all the photos have gone the way of the DoDo Bird ...So you probably figured it out yourself ....two more family traits ....modesty and inventiveness

ALPHA

[Ecam]

Been working on the details, nearing primer and paint time. But I am at a loss in fabbing up the armored covers for fuel and coolant fills, anyone have some ideas for me? I still need to work on some details for the inside of the turret.....

[ALPHA]

A member here prints those covers out....but they are pretty easy to fabricate Ecam...all you need is sprue....heat it then push it into a correct size cylinder then just round the edges off...the hinges and lock lever can be added later ....It's a little easier for me because I use the top off a bullet shaped Martini shaker
the pointed top is perfect for producing those things

ALPHA

[Ecam]

Great idea! Wonder if I could make a pattern/mold in aluminum?

[palepainter]

There is a place in Denver that sells mold silicon and liquid plastic. I have used it in the past for quite a few different parts.

http://www.reynoldsam.com/denver/

[palepainter]

In fact, I will look to see if I have any more mold silicone. I can make some gas caps and such for ya. I am up in Erie, Lafayette area.

[PainlessWolf]

Good evening,
Following along and resin armored caps are needed? I'm sure that I still have a couple of 3D printed ones from the Pershing build last year about this time. They comprise the cap and hinge and require a little drilling to fit together. Yours if you would like. If you need more, Pale has the answer.
regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Great idea! Wonder if I could make a pattern/mold in aluminum?

Machine your own mold in Aluminum?...I don't see why you couldn't...you could even use a piece of wood...the one thing cool about using sprue is if you mess up on the first impression...you can heat it again and push it into the mold again ....I do that all the time...as it doesn't always turn out how I want on the first try


ALPHA

[ALPHA]

As an added note Eric....if you just burn the end of the sprue and push it against something metal ..you will get something that looks like a nail...if the "rod" end is perfectly centered you can chuck it in a drill and turn the "head" or flattened area like if it were on a lathe ...you can then taper the edges and flatten out the top as much as you like...file slots in the ends where you might want the hinges and locks


ALPHA