New Panzer III build

[mitchell]

Managed to get a good deal on a Taigen Pz3 metal lower hull and Asiatam brass gearboxes to start off my new build. I was wondering what you guys experiences were of the Asiatam gearboxes?

[jarndice]

I am sure plenty of views will be forthcoming, but for a reasonably priced Gearbox with bearings you would be hard pressed to beat TAIGEN,
£50 a pair with motors and fitted with plugs ready to go.
Shaun.

[mitchell]

I agree, my experiences with Taigen gearboxes have been nothing but positive. I've been running a set of V3 black steel Taigens in the Tiger for a few months now and their as smooth running today as the day i got them. Probably better today now that they've been run in, but very little sign of wear.

Asiatams -



Dual ratio's by the looks of it

Got a set of brass Mato's on the way for the JT too, Larger motors but very similar looking

[Max-U52]

I wish they still made the asiatam GBs in brass. I snatch them up wherever I find them (they're getting very hard to find) and I wish I had ten more sets. If you ever want to sell yours let me know. In my humble opinion the asiatam brass gearboxes are the best available and it was a shame to stop making them. Steel is just so much louder.

[mitchell]

Thats reassuring to hear buddy, thanks for that. Although I've never owned a set I've read a couple of positive reviews. Going by the picture it looks like I'll be able to change the ratio's by removing the little C clip and swapping the last cog round. They should be delivered tomorrow

[mitchell]

These are the Mato's I have on order as well -->

[Max-U52]

Yes, you can change the ratio like that, but I went a step further and milled longer flats on the shafts so all I have to do is loosen the set screws and slide the gear over. That only works on a light tank, like a PzIII with 380s. The 360 motors won't have the stones to move a heavy tank through tight turns in the higher ratio. I have these GBs in my Tauchpanzer with 380 motors and it can handle the ratio swap, but a full metal Tiger has a much harder time. I rarely use the second ratio, though. If I want more speed I swap out the motors. You can get these really powerful 360s on ebay for about $7 a pair (including postage) and those give a significant increase in speed. I have a few videos on this subject at my youtube channel.

[mitchell]

I'll check it out. The Mato version of these arrived today, these are the ones destined for the JT. Initially they look and feel very nice, very little play in them, although the left seems slightly easier to rotate. I'm sure my gun grease (moly) will work a treat in the running in process so they should be fine. I've heard such mixed reviews on these. This pair seem to be solidly put together though with no sharp or rough area's

[mitchell]

Installed the Asiatam brass gearboxes, lubed them up and put in a spare RX18 so I could give them a run, lovely and quiet



Phase 2 probably continues on Friday, when i get paid next. That'll be the drive wheels, sprockets and idlers, and tracks of course. May try to get the upper hull, or may leave that till phase 3. Think i'll be looking to Forgebear for a Mato upper

[Max-U52]

You might want to try the stock 380 motors, just for kix. They should fit just fine. I did that with my Tauchpanzer and it really made a difference.