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Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:57 am
by Rubensilva666
Hi guys
Can someone please advise me how can i lock the upper hull with the lower hull, without using the milions of screws underneed?
I have heng long tank.
Thank you
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 3:55 pm
by MichaelC
Usually unless the hull was designed with a quick release like metal Taigen lower, you are stuck with DIY. In general you really only need 4 screws, one on each corners. I know stock has a minimum of 6 if not 8 or 9 sometimes in difficult to get to locations depended on your tank. The popular DIY is to use strong rare earth magnets, and depends on the weight of your tank, you can usually get away with 6 on each of the upper and lower hull.
The Heng Long lower hull base mounts will take 1/4" / 6.4mm round magnet perfectly as it sits in the old screw hole. The upper you will have to cut off the equal amount of 2 magnets high (one for the base and one the upper, I usually use the 3.2mm thick ones) and epoxy one there. I also use aluminium tubing with the appropriate ID over the upper magnet, and then slide it over the top mount with the magnet at the end.
Lastly, I have also able to fit Taigen quick releases into non Taigen tanks with some success, but they don't always sell them separately.
MIchaelC.
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:52 pm
by 43rdRecceReg

- Quick release for Tiger 1
- Tiger 1 locking system.jpeg (29.87 KiB) Viewed 2952 times
rctank.de sell this kit. It certainly fits budget Taigen models without the quick release mechanism, and I believe the Heng Long can be adapted to use it as well.

Others will recommend the use of ( 8mm) magnets to bond the hulls together.
Here's the link to rctank:
https://www.rctank.de/Tiger-I-lock-system
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:56 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
..Just having re-read your query, I note that you didn't mention the model needing the adaptor. For some reason, I assumed that it would be the Tiger. Most of the Taigen Pro series of models (from Sherman, and Tiger through to T34 and more) have their own version of this release mechanism.
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:34 pm
by Rubensilva666
Hi
Wanna start by saying thank you.
I am doing a stug III paint job and build. I wanna use a quick way to separate the upper and lower hull.
I wanna try to do it in all my tanks( panzer III, sherman m4a3, t35, m26 pershing. They are all heng long tanks.
But thank you guys. Its already good advises.
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:36 pm
by capt midnight
All my vehicles are HL and I use the magnets on all of them. They are similar to what MichaelC described, except I use copper wire for guide pins, going through the holes in the magnets.
My PzIV has all metal running gear, but I can pick up the tank by the upper only. The magnets are really strong, plus I think I used 6 pairs!
Bill
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:59 pm
by Afrikakorps
On my modified HL tanks with an internal battery ( no battery box ) I like to use 4 magnets. 6 mm round x 2mm thick. These are glued into the screw hole of the lower hull support posts using 2 part epoxy glue. I then cut off a small amount of the upper post and screw in a flat headed screw. This way I can adjust the height of the screw and the fit of the upper hull to the lower hull. Access is easy and the fit is secure but I don't recommend lifting the tank by the upper.
Cheers
AK
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 3:54 pm
by gisalook
We use magnets on our flying stuff.
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:15 am
by Rubensilva666
Just found some magnets on ebay.
6mmx2mm pack with 10. Gonna have a try. The worst thing can happen is spending 2 £.
Afther will post some pics. Thanks guys
Re: Hull lock.
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:35 am
by c.rainford73
Follow mr MichaelC's lead he is the master of the easy lift hull and magnets are his specialty! I've purchased several pieces from him and the magnets setup is a work of art
