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Re: M1A1HA, 7/20/20 Update, I am a Live!!

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:18 pm
by BarryC
It has been awhile but after the round with “the virus” I believe we have kicked it OUT! Result, if I step outside my car into the public, I WEAR A MASK, just makes good since!

I also bought me a “Survivor’s Reward”, I have the Haya, Chieftain inbound.

So enough with all that, I was working on the Supports for the side skirts when I interrupted by the virus. So, while sitting watching movies and nursing my “feel bad” I studied the suspension system Track Tensioner installation in earnest, preparing for its fabrication and installation. The goal was to create a functional Tensioner that also looks the part.

Here are a few photos of the actual installations.

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Now for my efforts, each side is made up of several pieces.

The mounts that are to become part of the Idler Arm and the Suspension Arm and made of a “sandwich” of two .090” and one .062” brass plate shaped to represent the parts needed. They a silver solder together drilled and shaped.

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The Suspension Arm uses a Slot and a Mortise & Tenon to attach the needed appendage. A hole drilled into the center of the arm and through Tenon deep enough to allow a brass pin to secure it to the arm. Once all fitting is finalized it will all become hard mounted using a metal-based epoxy.

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The Idler uses the same concept but using a slot that is cut deep enough to allow use of the Axle Mount Screw to secure it to the Idler Arm. Like the Suspension Arm it will also be epoxied securely in place.

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Next to link the Idler and Suspension Arms together with an adjustable link. After spending hours looking at ways of making a turnbuckle I finally stumbled onto a Turnbuckle made for ¼ scale flying models made by Du-Bro, Yay! Using some brass tubing I fabricated two adjustable links.

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Here is how they look installed.

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Still need so final tuning and I have some bearing ordered hoping to use them on the Idlers. The Tamiya Idler is the fixed position track tension adjuster. I filed the “teeth” of the Idler Arm (only the remaining outline can still be seen in pic) and did the same to the hole in the hull mount point.

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So, does it work? For now you'll have to click the link to see video.


Re: M1A1HA, 8-9 Upfdate. Functioning Track Tensioner

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:22 pm
by Son of a gun-ner
Wow, that's awesome Barry :clap: :clap: :clap:

But it did make me laugh at you not being able to stop with the detailing ;)

I'm glad you're feeling better and are on the road to a full recovery, to continue with our "entertainment." :thumbup:

Re: M1A1HA, 8-9 Upfdate. Functioning Track Tensioner

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:41 am
by BarryC
Son of a gun-ner wrote:Wow, that's awesome Barry :clap: :clap: :clap:

But it did make me laugh at you not being able to stop with the detailing ;)

I'm glad you're feeling better and are on the road to a full recovery, to continue with our "entertainment." :thumbup:
Thanks Mick,

It's good to be "back in the saddle"! It has always been about the details. :thumbup:

The Tension Adjuster has always been part of the plan. It has taken a while to understand how it worked as there are not many pics. A fellow modeler was able to provide the final pieces of the puzzle with some pages from the Maintenance Manual. :clap:

Then the challenge became how to make it robust enough to handle operating through some moderate RC use.

I did purchase another lower and all the suspension parts from the AAF Tank Museum just in case. ;)

Cheers for now,
Barry

Re: M1A1HA, 8-9 Update. Functioning Track Tensioner

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:55 am
by Estnische
Wonderful work Barry! Such commitment to a model.

Re: M1A1HA, 8-9 Update. Functioning Track Tensioner

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:24 am
by BarryC
Estnische wrote:Wonderful work Barry! Such commitment to a model.
Thank you sir!

I figure after 4 1/2 years in work what's another couple weeks. 8O

Barry

Re: M1A1HA, 8-9 Update. Functioning Track Tensioner

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:56 pm
by BarryC
Hi Guys,

Here are some pics of the right side Tension Adjuster with the mount pins hardware installed and final shaping complete.

That make the right side nearly complete. I have some 1/4" brass rod coming that I will turn down to match the center tube dia. then tap 4-40 to replace the locking nut with something that looks like the actual part.

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On to the left side. :D

Thanks for looking in,
Barry

Re: M1A1HA, 8-14 Update. Track Tensioner Detailing

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:46 pm
by BarryC
Hi Folks,

Just about finished with the Track Tension Adjuster.

I fabricated the Locking Collar using a length of 1/4" brass rod, turned down to match the 3/16" tubing used for the main body. Center drill and tapped to 4-40 to match the Turnbuckle threads. Next I drill the small slots for the "Spanner/Wrench" used to adjust the assembly.

No I will not be making the Spanner, I don't think!! 8O

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TAFN,
Barry

Re: M1A1HA, 8-22 Update. Track Tensioner Finished, nearly!

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:15 pm
by MITCH
Very nice work, I like it :clap:

Re: M1A1HA, 8-22 Update. Track Tensioner Finished, nearly!

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:58 pm
by Soeren
Great little pieces :thumbup:

Re: M1A1HA, 8-22 Update. Track Tensioner Finished, nearly!

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:05 pm
by BarryC
Thanks Gents!

Currently working on the skirt armor supports that will not be seen but I have to do them.

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:)