What idlers do I need for an asiatam hull?

[dsvirus]

Yeah I think I'm going to tap the tensioner arm. It seems like a weak point now that I have tapped the control arms. I'm guessing I need a 4 mm tap as the axle is 4mm. Would that suffice?

Or do I need a 4.5mm tap?

In addition blimp, I guess I need some sort of minute grub screw to secure the axle, no sign of any in the hull kit. What did you use?

[blimp]

They should have 3mm grubscrews already fitted - are they are missing or have they turned and gone into the bores ? that will stop the axles going in . 3mm screws will do the job if you have some long enough . (BTW the grubscrews can be seen in the photo's ). P.S. check the bags of wheel axles that are supplied with the hull , i think mine had some alternative axles .

• 

. . . . my metal idlers . B .

[dsvirus]

They may have turned. I have tried to take a picture but it is very difficult to get a shot inside the 4mm diameter hole that the axle would fit into but I appear to have a tiny black thread that sticks out into the chamber; only on one tensioner. The other appears ok. But no grubs screws either side. In fact, I have had no grub screws in the whole assembly. Which seems rather odd as people keep mentioning them!

[dsvirus]

Ok I take that back. I got the grub screw moved. I will tap the tensioners, the use a 4mm thread which will be stronger. Then I will tighten all my grub screws! Which to my shame, I had not noticed!

[Saxondog]

Wait,4mm will not be stronger as it will take away from the amount of metal holding the axle. And that is the pressure point. Try 3.5 as that has worked for me,I used shoulder type bolts with nylon washers.

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Sax

[blimp]

Wait ! - you have found them - tiny arn't they ? try the axles now , nip the screws up and see how it goes . If you have trouble you can alter it if you want to , they do work . A little locktite on the grubscrew / axle will keep it secure - if the thread strips by overtightening , you can always go up a size but for now just give them a try out

• . . . After all , if it ain't broke , why 'fix' it .

[Saxondog]

Sorry Mark,My bad I was talking about the control arms. Hope it all works out for you,My Tiger has been my best running tank due to the Asiatam Hull.

What do you have in mind next? Sax

[blimp]

Easily done Blake , i had to strip mine down to make sure i had it right LOL .

• Mark , one more thing before you roar off into the sunset - now's the time to set the suspension arms to the correct ride height , they are probably all at different angles . I just twisted the arms back against the springs until they were all about 5mm from the hull lower edge . . . .

• . . . so when the weight of the whole tank is on them they go like this . ( leave the first and last axles a little lower as this helps keep the geometry right , preventing a 'rocking horse' effect )

- One last thing about the Tiger, be carefull in the long grass , and mind for small stones , the real thing had trouble!

[dsvirus]

Wow thanks for all the replies. I will be tapping the tensioner to 4mm and using a bolt. May as well have a complete drive train that is study. I will then do some extensive testing of the suspension to ensure everything is set up ok before I proceed. I have a small gravel based garden so chaos is sure to ensue. Once I have got the tank riding correctly, thanks for the tips blimp, I will address the ride height. It seems very high! I'm guessing extra weight is needed. After that, I shall be adding a super smoker and then a few more home made touches. I also stopped the gun from firing when I added a extra piece, but now I want to get a proper metal gun that fires. I see your modified yours sax to fire further etc, I may go down that road!

I also have just got my first plane, a Focke-Wulf 190. So I am playing with that as well. Good times!