Mid-Late Tiger rebuild

[Saxondog]

Well at this point PzWest I am a long way from the drive issues,the gear motors would require a coupling to allow the sprockets to fit,this is really not an issue for me.

I might try the drive sprocket / tracks on pavement because really what can happen? I break a track and I'm still in the same situation. 1000.00US to fix it properly.

So I would consider modifying my tracks by drilling the pins out slightly and adding a brass tubing sleeve reducing friction,thought about ways to improve the sprockets, my friend who has powder coated many parts for the Turbo bike said that the powder coating process would add some strength and also reduce the track friction because of the smooth surface, But then I have three pieces and need the fourth. So shake some trees in your club and see if you can cause a sprocket to fall out,maybe one of the members has one?

I posted in the wanted section but being unknown perhaps you might know who to ask? For now my focus has to be to improve what I have and worry in the future about what I need. I am grateful for any information or possible places I might find a sprocket.

But I have a good guide in John's build,and really I am determined to enjoy this hobby and to do the best job on this Tiger that is possible from my limited resources. I have been sitting outside,working on the Tiger and having a very good time doing that.

I am hoping the river will go down and we can stop worrying about the flood.cheers Blake

[Saxondog]

Less than a year ago Steel Dragons Tiger tracks were 600.00 a set,now selling at 10.50 per link times 200 plus sprockets were 250.oo now 3.25 a set.2425.00us for tracks,that is just insane,you bet your tail end I will be running my Tiger on the cast sprockets and nylon tracks,how insane in one year to go from 3.25 per link to 10.25? What the oil spill in the gulf has caused track production to triple?

So now what my cast sprockets are worth 500.00. I simply can't believe this madness.

[Wolftone]

Sound like they are charging what they can, not what they are worth !

[Johnf]

Those prices are crazy. I'm starting to think I got a bargain.

[Saxondog]

I am E-mailing Richard at Steel Dragon right now,and you bet you got a bargain,they do not even have a 1/6 scale metal Tiger offered,their Panther and Jagdpanther are both under a 1000.00 so I am asking what tracks do those kits have,now those are the base static kit prices but I am asking the total price of an RC KIT.

They are doing basically what I'm doing,except their using a plastic Tiger that is glued together,now who would invest a 2000.00 track system on that kit? Richard can charge what he wants but the reason for the increase is what I'm interested in? I certainly hope I am reading the site wrong or maybe they made a typing error? I will post the information as soon as I have the correct or verified numbers.

[sassgrunt]

Blake, I don't know if this will be of any help; but I'm willing to offer it if it is. A friend bought an Armortek Tiger I back in 2003, and one of the aftermarket parts he bought was a set of four brass drive rings for the sprockets. No idea who made them, but they're the "toothed ring" that would bolt to the inside & outside of the drive hub. (They have a simulated bolt head just inside of each tooth). The Armortek sprockets are one entire piece, so I don't know if he originally planned to cut away the Armortek teeth and modify these to bolt onto the remaining hub, or what.
I now have the kit, and am perfectly happy with the stock sprockets; so I am not going to use these brass sprocket rings at all, (the best thing I could come up with for them is to glue a round sheet of cork to the back of them and use them as drink coasters. That would be cool; but they'd be better on a tank). Ha.
Let me know. -Mike

[Saxondog]

Mike it is just unreal how members have offered to help me on the project, after the Tank was damaged and then sat for a year and was damaged again I was ready to trash it,then two buyers back out and the ever present drain on my wallet just made this a dead end project.

I just want to say a big thank you to you Mike and to John as well without these guy help this project would not ever be completed as a running Tiger,Steel Dragons and several thousand dollars for tracks and sprocket just was never going to happen.

But you two guys have made it work out, also I would like to thank Adrian for the quick response on the tracks and my pals Alb and Steiner pushing me to get motivated again.

This really is a great place,our forum to enjoy this hobby. But that is only possible because members get involved in a project and want to see it done, helping each other. Mike I would very much like to have the sprockets,I can machine my hubs to bolt these on and replace the broken teeth,and they should work well with the new tracks from Adrian. Excellent.

[Johnf]

Glad you are getting sorted with the tracks at a more realistic price. If your sprockets do not work out we can do same as we did for tracks. I'm sure there are a few sets lying around.

[Saxondog]

Thanks John, if the weather permits and I get my shop straightened out I have worked out the control arms and the bearings needed for the tension system. Now things should move along.

Saxondog

[Saxondog]

John,I am posting a few pictures,my front plate is cut to tall. Also these pictures show very good details of the front track guards and the hinges we discussed.

Tiger Front Mud Guard.png (138.62 KiB) Viewed 4008 times

Tiger Front Mud Guard.png (133.62 KiB) Viewed 4008 times