Installing Opening Metal Hatches on HL Tiger 1

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Nice work Marc. Funnily enough this sort of drill would have been my first choice when I drilled out my hatches - but I had no idea what it was called and where to get it (and I suspect it's not as easy/cheap to find in the UK!)

However, the only problem with fitting the hatches into the moulded slots inside the HL Tiger is that they don't swing quite wide enough to stay open of their own accord - on the real tank they swing up and out past the vertical. As you will see from my post below I found a solution - but I would be very happy for someone to find a better one!

Keep at it!

Tanks

[Marc780]

Tanks that's an ingenious solution to make the hatches open all the way...its beyond me though, i just stick my finger under long enough to click the switch. Now that i have room for TWO switches maybe i'll add a "vampir" infrared light and tailights-that or another fan in the back.

[jarndice]

Anyone wanting a STEP DRILL try http://www.toolstation.com

part number 61469 as of june 2014 £ 24.68. shaun

[Augustus1967]

Excellent Tip, and a Well Written Post!

Just placed my order with Harbor Freight for their Set of Two Step Drill Bits.
I believe it covers sizes from 1/4" up to 1-3/8" between the two bits...
The cost was $18 plus tax and shipping.

Also added some Spring Clamps to the order to take better advantage of the of the Shipping Fee.

Thank You for a Great Tip...

-gus

[Marc780]

Yes Augustus HF is the place for cheapo tools when you are pretty sure you'll only be using them once or twice. For that purpose there's no point in paying for more quality you'll never need! I live 5 miles from one of the H.F. stores, its too bad you had to pay shipping.
The h.f. tools are low grade borderline junk tools to be sure, which of course is fine sometimes since they're 60%-80% cheaper then craftsmen or, for real tool elitists "snap on" (would you believe $30 for one spanner.?.) Tools that I know I'll use til the end of time (unless they get stolen first- tools seem to be a magnet for thieves) I'll get Craftsman. Some tools from h.f. I don't want no matter how cheap they are- the metallurgy is shoddy and in your hand they just feel "wrong" somehow vs. The well made ones. The socket wrenches and spanners break and/or round off and most tool they sell that have any moving parts literally falls to pieces after a half dozen uses. If h.f. tools were all that were available I'd buy 3 sets of each, 2 for spare.

[ALPHA]

Hey Marc... you're from Cali too right?

ALPHA