Plastic or metal?

[Nathan2253]

So when any of you want a new specimen to build. Do you look for an all metal haul or will a plastic one do? Not sure which route to go.

[jackalope]

Metal! Every tank I've messed with that was plastic had nothing but problems. But maybe that's cause I use metal tracks, lower geared gearboxes and drive them like they are real tanks. I guess if it never went outside all plastic would be fine.

[jarndice]

Hi Nathan, It does of course depend what you want, bearing in mind metal hulls are not made for some tanks, Most people start with a Tiger 1 and I would certainly get me a TAIGEN Metal hull for that, I have to assume you are confident in building a Tank from parts rather than buying a "RTR" out of the box, the advantage of doing it this way is you can fit whatever control board you want rather than having to spend money on an R/C system you don't want, If you buy a TAIGEN hull,,body, metal turret and metal main gun, the gearboxes and suspension and body locking mechanism is all in as is the wiring driving the various turret services, you will need to supply the sockets and wired plugs which can be obtained as a complete package from a number of dealers,you will have to provide a decent speaker and if you care for them a smoker as well as tracks, it is worth knowing that the IBU2 board and the CLARK board are both "PLUG and PLAY",earlier this year Painless was building a Tiger which came with a multiple choice of what you wanted to build out of the box. I think it was TAIGEN or TORRO but check the build section of the Forum for details. By the way do not kid yourself that going down this path will save you money Most of us have long since accepted that the only thing we have to look forward to is penury. Good luck and remember we will be here if you need help. shaun

[Nathan2253]

O'k metal it is. I'll look at the build section for venders. I'll keep you posted. O'h, I see allot of venders in the China, Hong Kong area. When buying photography gear it's US or Japan. Who should I stay clear from?

[jarndice]

ALIE-EXPRESS is who I deal with BUT you must remember two things about them, they do not take PAY-PAL and you must bear in mind that they are like E-BAY ie a clearing house but after all that I have never had a problem although they take a long time getting the product to you, it does get there.You might like to scroll down to the "RECOMMENDED DEALERS"site As ALPHA say's "CARPE DIEM" shaun

[ALPHA]

I'd say it's a 50 /50 toss up....if you are going to modify a tank ..plastic is better....if you will be satisfied with what you purchase then go metal...Personally I have seen no notable difference in either...than weight....but if it came down to it...for most tanks I prefer plastic...just because of the possibilities it leads to...not to mention I have had more than a few "drops" happen with a plastic tank... and the survivability is surprisingly high...this will not be so with a cast hull

But to each his own.


ALPHA

[wibblywobbly]

One thng to remember is that HL plastic hulls are designed to be screwed together. If this is done then the upper/lower hull forms a very rigid box section that cannot flex. Even using just 3 or 4 of the screws through the bottom will be enough.

If a plastic hull is used with a quick release upper, then that rigidity is lost, and everything can flex around. So, there are two options, one is keep it all plastic and use the screws, the other is metal and quick release.

When it comes to using metal parts, eg roadwheels, tracks etc, the bills mount up. Metal tracks means metal sprockets, and that puts pressure on the standard gearboxes, so they need upgrading to low ratio ones. The more weight that is on the tank, the greater the stress on every moving part.

It's just my personal opinion, but the best metal gearboxes for the money are the black steel Taigen ones, they are well built and rugged. As far as my own tanks are concerned, and this only what I learned from personal experience, I go for plastic hulls, Taigen gearboxes and plastic everything else. I even go for plastic gearboxes if I can as they are surprisingly strong when paired up with plastic tracks etc.

I have run my tanks around a place called Rhoose Point in South Wales, and that is a very long, and very demanding tank assault course, rough ground, steep inclines, short and long grass, valleys, soft soil, rocks, gravel, mud etc. If anything was going to pack in, it would happen there, but touch wood, nothing ever has.

[HERMAN BIX]

Kind of like the "Brecon Beacons" SAS intake for tanks ..............

[jarndice]

Herman Hallo, A tip for anyone thinking of putting themselves up for selection, when you come off the hill and see the Rover at the bottom with the Sgt Major beside it, do not try to impress him by running down the hill, all that happens is you get a bottle of water and a pack of sandwiches and told to do it again, The Regiment want you to push yourself to the limit and if you can still run you hav'nt done that shaun

[HERMAN BIX]

Indeed.For fear of hijacking I shall not comment further !!