1/12 Scale Hetzer

[Spinnetti]

Thank you sir!

Did a few tweaks to the front fenders, printed and installed. Also made the Schurtzen and the brackets and got them installed. Only had to make those twice - first batch didn't have quite enough standoff from the hull and rubbed the tracks. Doh! Wasn't too bad to tweak the design, reprint, and reassemble. The Schurtzen install as full scale dropping over the studs on the hull and sliding into place, so they are all easily removable and re-installable. Also got the toolbox made, if I can get it off the print bed. The pile of bits that aren't on the model keeps getting smaller!

[Herr Dr. Professor]

"The Schurtzen install as full scale dropping over the studs on the hull and sliding into place, so they are all easily removable and re-installable." Yours is such amazing work. It looks to me as if you were able to print the brackets attachhed to die Schürzen. Are the brackets a bit delicate? Or do they swing some on the studs?

[Spinnetti]

"The Schurtzen install as full scale dropping over the studs on the hull and sliding into place, so they are all easily removable and re-installable." Yours is such amazing work. It looks to me as if you were able to print the brackets attachhed to die Schürzen. Are the brackets a bit delicate? Or do they swing some on the studs?

The brackets are maybe a bit delicate but have enough "give" that they don't show any signs of breaking; I can always use something like PETG if they don't hold up. I printed them separate from the schurtzen, then glued them on. they do "hang", but don't swing freely. I suppose I could make the hanger holes a bit bigger so they could flop around more, but kinda like them better as-is since they have so little mass. Next up is to try a couple different springs for the bogeys. I can't find reasonably priced spring steel, and my SLA printed spring leaves are a bit brittle and have sagged over the last few months. I'll try FDM printed ones and see what happens. Maybe PETG would be good for those. Soon as I sort that, the suspension can go back together (all the other suspension parts are done).

[Spinnetti]

Made up the toolbox, which of course opens so you can put itty-bitty tools in it. Interestingly, I couldn't get a decent print with my SLA printer, but was able to with the FDM (Prusa) printer, including the 1mm hinge. Never know I guess!
I also printed up a FDM set of springs to try out in place of the SLA printed springs. If these don't work, I'll switch to brass or spring steel.

[Will01Capri]

Made up the toolbox, which of course opens so you can put itty-bitty tools in it. Interestingly, I couldn't get a decent print with my SLA printer, but was able to with the FDM (Prusa) printer, including the 1mm hinge. Never know I guess!
I also printed up a FDM set of springs to try out in place of the SLA printed springs. If these don't work, I'll switch to brass or spring steel.

I have successfully used alot of 3d printed pla springs on many models, however with such a spring pack, i would expect the give in them to be very limited and maybe stress weaker points more than bending the spring pack.
I have however been ordering alot of very thin flat spring steel ribbons which can be bought in many different widths. That would i think work better for your needs, but it would be interesting to see how you get on.

As for the toolbox with working hinge, i find more or less the exact same thing. although resin printed boxes look much cleaner, their hinge areas are very weak compared to fdm printed parts. The fdm parts with hinges definitely tend to have more strength and give to them which works better in the long run.

BTW, the Hetzer is really coming to life and looks great. Very nice work
Because you are doing in 1/12 i think i should make comment that ROCHobby have just launched a 1/12 Kubelwagen which would make a really cool partner for your tank haha.

[Spinnetti]

Thanks! That kubel looks pretty nice! I had it on my list to make, but no point in reinventing that wheel. I'll probably get one - thanks for the tip! (hopefully they do a Schwimmwagen too!)

Where do you get your steel from? I haven't seen anything that seems like a great value yet.

As I get closer to wrapping this project up over the next couple months, it will be time to pick the next one. It will be German, and non-routine but haven't selected yet. Thoughts? Thinking the long barrel Stug III sticking with the tank destroyer theme.

[Will01Capri]

Thanks! That kubel looks pretty nice! I had it on my list to make, but no point in reinventing that wheel. I'll probably get one - thanks for the tip! (hopefully they do a Schwimmwagen too!)

Where do you get your steel from? I haven't seen anything that seems like a great value yet.

As I get closer to wrapping this project up over the next couple months, it will be time to pick the next one. It will be German, and non-routine but haven't selected yet. Thoughts? Thinking the long barrel Stug III sticking with the tank destroyer theme.

Look for pull start units and replacement springs for them. You can get alot for very little

[Spinnetti]

Very Clever! Only downside is I can't pick the thickness of the springs, but for $10 on amazon, certainly beats $30 for 1/100th the material on McMaster-carr

Looks like that Kubel is made by FMS: https://www.fmsmodel.com/product/rochob ... agen/1552/

You cursed me, and I had to go and buy it

[HERMAN BIX]

Thanks! That kubel looks pretty nice! I had it on my list to make, but no point in reinventing that wheel. I'll probably get one - thanks for the tip! (hopefully they do a Schwimmwagen too!)

Where do you get your steel from? I haven't seen anything that seems like a great value yet.

As I get closer to wrapping this project up over the next couple months, it will be time to pick the next one. It will be German, and non-routine but haven't selected yet. Thoughts? Thinking the long barrel Stug III sticking with the tank destroyer theme.

The Hetzer will take some beating Mr S, but how about a StuG III with the StuH42 howitzer in it just for a different look ?

[Spinnetti]

Yeah, that seems good the Ausf.F and a muzzle brake? sounds like a winner....