SCALE HARDWARE REDUX

[jarndice]

Pete I have spent a little while measuring the wing nut set,

The Bolt is 0.74 mm wide X 5.50 mm long,
The wing nut at its widest point is 1.75 mm, And that tells me that it will not take much more than a 1mm thread,

There are about 20 Wing nuts on a 1/16 Tiger 1 and the standard size is 1mm so that's ok BUT the air cleaner clamps use 2 mm wing nuts and that means using the 2mm threaded wing nuts from the USA or making your own.

Using regular 2mm nuts is an acceptable compromise by the way so when it is convenient you can refit the proper Wing nuts.
Shaun.

[SgtMalarky]

Good work Shaun
The fact that there are only 4 wing nuts I think I will attempt making my own. I have got some M1 taps and M1 threaded rod as well. I also got some 2 mm tubing.
With regard to fitting the cables I have got some of the Metall Zeilhalterrungen large and small. Am I correct in thinking these need to be fitted with wing nuts?
Pete

[jarndice]

Pete Hi,
When it comes to cable clamps you have a choice the first is how much of a perfectionist are you going to be?
Yes you can pin vise through the top of the clamp on the short pin side and tap a thread for a Schumo or Mitosal wing nut just as you can for the barrel cleaning rod and cable clamp, Or you can just use the clamps without the wing nuts, personally they don't look right without the wing nuts.
I have made up my own Barrel cleaning rods as well as its clamps and I have bought the ready built,(Metall Seile fixer stalseil fixer, Halterung seil seile) from Heng Long de.
I have to say that "ABER" make a barrel cleaning set for the Tiger 1 and both Forgebear and Welsh dragon sell it,
you might like to have a look at it because it is pretty much the real deal But I havn't tried it myself yet.
I would go for the ready built because if it is properly painted (Brass colour tipped rods, wood colour for the rods) it looks good and saves a lot of work, Although a word of warning,
if you decide to pin vise into the barrel cleaning rod and cable clamp for the wing nuts then you should drill on the outside NOT the side that will be under the Turret because as it turns it will rip the Wing nuts off!!
The Tow ropes go over the engine bay and also need clamps but these should be the Half cup type where the cable sits in the open cup to hold it.
The Tank Track cable that goes on the side of the Hull uses clamps but I have not used wing nuts on them because they last no time before getting torn off when you are driving the Tank.
Shaun.

[SgtMalarky]

Hi Shaun
I have bought enough wing nuts to fully wingnut the hull. You are right without them its a 'wing and a prayer' holding system. I also have ordered the Aber Barrel cleaning kit. I initially made some rods using 2.5 mm tube and threaded rod poking out of one end. It really didnt look that good and also trying to make brass tubing look like wood didnt work so Aber 16025 kit it is.
You need to do a bit of cutting and whittling to get the length right and fit the brass ends. I am sure once painted they will look great. They also cone with the brass etched deck clamps.
I will have a play with this when it arrives but may well end up making my own from scratch. There is good info on this forum to show how to.
Interestingly according to the instructions one rod is shorter than the other five. I know you have done an amazing amount of research I was wondering if you agree with this?

With regard to the M2 wing nuts we spoke of I have some M2 Capscrews which i have made into Milliput lollypops and once set will try to sculpt into wing bolts. If it works i can tap the deck and just screw them in through the clamps.

Pete

[SgtMalarky]

Hi Shaun
Please can you critique my attempt at M2 wing nut please? The bolt is an M2 standard capscrew. Let me know good, bad or indifferent, I really would value your opinion.

Pete

[jarndice]

Pete I absolutely hate measuring the quality of good bad or different work of others BUT My M2 wing nuts are exactly the same width at their widest (8mm) as yours are,
Perhaps you could file a deeper and wider hollow into the centre and slightly flatten the top line of the wings giving the effect of slimmer wings,
Have you thought of making a drawing of what you are trying to achieve and transferring it to 1 mm Plasticard,?
A good blade and a set of modelling files can achieve wonders and you then have a source of reference for that time in the future when you need more. (And you will)
By the way the Barrel cleaning rods went through a period of evolution there was set of six and then there were five and at least one set only had three but yes their was one rod shorter than the others,
Don't forget they would only clean the barrel after an action so they would not be bothered about the order they were replaced under the clamps, a case of "Get in you Basta*d lets get out of here"!!
When I made my own barrel cleaning rods I used cocktail sticks and forced the ends into Brass tube and clipped off the end an extra 2mm further up from the end, This allowed me the opportunity to file down to the place where I could Put a thread on the tip.
I made up the whole set but it was far too much work when I compared it with what was available across the counter,
I like making my own detailing but if someone has already been there why would I duplicate their efforts?
By the way I mentioned Half Cup clamps the other day, They used to be out there once upon a time but when I was making an Aerial stowage tube to replace the grossly inaccurate moulded one on the side of the engine covers of the Heng Long/Taigen/Torro Tiger 1 using 2mm brass tube, I needed to elevate the tube about 2mm from the Tank body (Just enough to see light underneath)Like I say I couldn't find any for sale so I made my own out of "Plasticard" Very easy and very rewarding.
Shaun.

[SgtMalarky]

Thanks for the feed back, Shaun, i have widened the hollow and they look better already. You are right the 1 mm plasticard is the way to go. The good thing is doing what i have done has given me the confidence to go for it. I have just traced round a Schumo one and this is all but the correct size if i cut around the outside of the pencil line, also a much more convincing shape.
Must admit i am really pleased with the Aber barrel cleaning rods and am looking forward to completing them.
Great idea for the Ariel stowage, i was dreading removing the existing, but, again go for it and fill and file and sand to make good. I am learning very quickly this is the way. Not too heavy handed to start with.
Thanks again.

Pete

[SgtMalarky]

Hi Shaun
Here is my first attempt at M2 wing nut in plastic. Definitely better making them from plastic. I used 4 pieces of longer 2.5mm rod and this made them easier to hold and manoeuvre. Also the plastic glue sticks really quickly so that helps.
Also i put the rod in my dremel and then ran it against a file to create the tapered body of the nut. When I am ready to use them I can either cut them off or thread the stem M2. I will try this first to see how it looks, otherwise I will cut them off, drill and Tap and there we go.
As this is my first atrempt I have plenty of plastic left and will try to improve them again.

Pete