Hi guys, not sure if there's a better place to post this but I'm really having trouble identifying these parts so I thought I'd ask the experts!
Ok, so here's the deal... I was kindly provided with 12 King Tiger drive sprockets for a custom project I started some time back. I mistakenly assumed all twelve were the same and devised a plan based on this assumption. It soon became clear however that I have two ever so slightly different types of sprocket in my package and they're too different too use both in the same way.
So... I've used six of these now and am currently looking for another six of the same so I can finish this build! I'm happy to trade/sell the other six if it helps but not sure who will want them... Anyway after much (MUCH) searching I'm now pretty sure that both of the sprockets I have are for the Tamiya King Tiger but one is a slightly older type. Even with this information I'm having difficulty finding somewhere to obtain the remaining six I need as noone has enough images to convince me they're the same. So that's where you guys come in!
Apologies for the following, it is however necessary... First are the pictures of what I believe to be the older type which I AM using. Note that they've been drilled out to 10mm in order to be used in my project... The second images are what I think are a newer replacement for the first part shown. I have six of each but want to trade the six on the right for six more of the one on the left!
First the face of the sprocket. See how the older one has smaller bolt heads further apart. Spokes are also wider and the hub has a larger diameter than the new part. Finally and most distinctively are the small protrusions that each tooth sits on in the NEW part. There'll be an image to better show that later though as I found it hard to capture...
The rear of this outer part has an obvious difference but this is what I need to check with sellers before I buy as I'm worried they won't be the same as mine and noone shows pictures of them dismantled! The one with rectangular tabs is the old part I need while the round pegs are the new part which I don't...
The old inner piece is about 4-5mm taller than the new one and of course has rectangular slots in place of round holes in new ones... The old piece also has a steeper and narrower body while the new piece is somewhat fatter all the way down. The new part also has a sort of dinner-plate lip at the bottom almost the full width of the piece while the old part has about 4mm of space inside the teeth.
Here's the underside of both pieces... Though you can't tell on the one I already drilled out, checking an older photo I took reveals that both of these have two flat spots for axle location which apparently is very Tamiya... The older part has a very straight and angular central shaft here wheras the newer item is much smoother. The new part also has the added detail of a ring of bolts as shown here.
And almost forgot to put up the side views, something else that I really wish vendors would add to their shop listings! Here you can see how much longer and narrower the bulk of this older part is compared to the tubby little new one. Also how much deeper the spokes are on the new part.
The final shot I took is intended to highlight the unique feature of the newer part. If a sprocket looks like this I DO NOT want it! This hopefully shows how the older item is simply a circular rim with teeth on it while the newer one has the teeth protruding from small raised pieces of rim. Hard to explain so hopefully the image does a better job than me... It seems I took this picture backwards so it's the new part on the left and old on the right here...
And you'll be pleased to hear that's all of the pictures... Now, apologies if this is in a stupid place, I know it's not a build log but it IS strictly Tamiya so I thought it would get better noticed here. I have no problem at all with it being moved (anywhere frankly) but if it could wait until AFTER I've got my answer that would be great please mods!!!
Recap - are these old and new Tamiya parts for the King Tiger? Does anyone want six of the new ones I have? (shown on the right) Does anyone have six of the old ones I can have? (on the left) That is all...
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me figure this out, it's driving me crazy and not being able to find the rest that I need has brought me to a complete stop after some of the best progress I've made in years! Cheers, T
