Metal Origins SdKfz 234/2 Puma

[silversurfer1947]

There's nothing supplied in the kit. All it says is to oil all moving parts. I have used some of my Tamiya grease.

I have hit one problem now with the swing axle assemblies. One of the 8 is machined very slightly off centre which means I am not getting full universal movement. Vary annoying, especially as they were a not inexpensive extra. I''ll see how I get on with some judicious filing, otherwise it' means getting back to Dominique.

[silversurfer1947]

I thought everything was going too well. I've hit another problem. The wheel hubs each have two bearings, one inner, one outer. The ball races which came as an extra fit perfectly in the outer position but there is no way on this earth that they will fit the inner recess. I have neither the tools nor the expertise to ream it out. All i can do is fit the kit supplied plastic bearings for the inner. These are an exceedingly tight fit, but being plastic do have a bit of give. it remains to be seen whether they will cause the stub axle to bind.

After a lot of faffing about, I have managed to get the right hand front assembly fitted. Hopefully, tomorrow things will go a little better. I've had enough for today.

[silversurfer1947]

Slow progress this morning, assembling and fitting the wheel hubs. The biggest problem is fitting the steel ball ends to the cast metal hubs. For the first 2 hubs it was not a problem, but the last 2 I have attempted, the balls ends have desperately tried to cross thread, whether from my incompetence or a flaw in the engineering I can not say, but I guess, probably the former.. I have been very careful in my approach. The whole operation is very fiddly. I have long thin fingers but still found myself with too many thumbs on occasions. Anyway, for better or worse, one side is now complete. Photos will appear once the other side is done.

[Ad Lav]

I seem to remember Eddy telling me the xion 222/223 were very difficult to build and have some fitment issues.

I hope you resolve them - I fancy one but not if they have too many issues.

[RobW]

Not sure what the metal is, but would putting one part in the freezer help? It's a common way of getting bearings onto stub axles in the Land Rover community & reduces the need for No.1 hammer.

Similarly, a small bit of grease for holding bits in place.

Very nice work, and looking forward to seeing the results. Looking at it, it'll almost be a shame to paint it!

[AlwynTurner]

Looking really good and a very interesting build, I'll be following this one very carefully.

Alwyn

[silversurfer1947]

Not sure what the metal is, but would putting one part in the freezer help? It's a common way of getting bearings onto stub axles in the Land Rover community & reduces the need for No.1 hammer.

Fantastic idea . I tried one bearing on the freezer for an hour or so. It did not quite drop into place, but a couple of light taps and it was fine. Even the ball ends seemed to benefit. Three more bearings are now chilling out. I shall leave them a lot longer, in the hope they will shrink a bit more. Once that side is complete, I will repeat the treatment for the other side. It won't take long to get the plastic bearings out.

Thanks again.

[silversurfer1947]

Whilst the bearings freeze, I've had a look ahead in the instructions. I have the rotation kit for the turret. However, there is no recoil or elevation for the barrel, which is a solid item. Elevation I can live without, but recoil would be nice. After my recent attempts does anyone know of a small recoil unit? Or had i best speak very nicely to my local 3D printing expert?

The gun fitted to the 234/2 was the L/60 KwK 39 which is the same as was fitted to the Panzer III. The kit gun is a solid item and I am wondering whether the gun that I fitted to my III would fit. There are two obvious differences. The 234/2 gun has a muzzle brake and a sort of breech moulded as part of it. I don't know whether these photos will make it clear.

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I got the barrel for my Panzer III from Tank -modellbau and it came with a flash LED already fitted.

[wibblywobbly]

Well you are a dark horse sneaking this one in under the radar. That's a very challenging build that you have there, shame that they don't prepare all of the parts before despatch so that you don't find out something doesn't fit until after it breaks etc.

We can sort out elevation and recoil, shouldn't be a problem of insurmountable proportions.

[RobW]

If they're still a bit tight you can also put the other bit in boiling water. I suspect using the oven would be too extreme given the size & composition. Given the bearing thermal mass, you probably won't see much additional shrinkage over the hour or so. Usual warning apply about heat given how conductive metal is.