HL Gearbox stand-offs??
10-18-2012, 12:43 PM
#1
Thread Starter
HL Gearbox stand-offs??
I heard some guys mention in the past that you can use motherboard stand-offs from a computer to replace the stripped out plastic ones molded into the HL chassis. was wondering If anyone could give me an update and as to what size i would need?....thinking of replacing mine just to add a bit more strength as I already have two that are split that have been repaired..
10-18-2012, 01:51 PM
#2
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
Those standoffs are a terrible weak link. I usually shave them off. Stack up a couple sheets of styrene and drill it though. Then you can bolt through the hull, spacer and gearbox. Pretty much a free mod if you have the styrene which we probably all do. Plus you end up with a bulletproof, non flexing, gearbox-hull combination that is reinforced by an additional 1/4" of plastic. So simple to do I don't know why you would want to stick with a standoff on the flimsy HL plastic hull.
Hope this helps,
Perry
Hope this helps,
Perry
10-19-2012, 10:14 AM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ORIGINAL: Perry S.
Those standoffs are a terrible weak link. I usually shave them off. Stack up a couple sheets of styrene and drill it though. Then you can bolt through the hull, spacer and gearbox. Pretty much a free mod if you have the styrene which we probably all do. Plus you end up with a bulletproof, non flexing, gearbox-hull combination that is reinforced by an additional 1/4'' of plastic. So simple to do I don't know why you would want to stick with a standoff on the flimsy HL plastic hull.
Those standoffs are a terrible weak link. I usually shave them off. Stack up a couple sheets of styrene and drill it though. Then you can bolt through the hull, spacer and gearbox. Pretty much a free mod if you have the styrene which we probably all do. Plus you end up with a bulletproof, non flexing, gearbox-hull combination that is reinforced by an additional 1/4'' of plastic. So simple to do I don't know why you would want to stick with a standoff on the flimsy HL plastic hull.
Perry, that's a great solution, thanks! Even on the Asiatam hull with it's separate gearbox "plate" with sort of built-in standoffs, your idea can be used to solve the problem of the terrible screws provided, and will allow a good measure of clamping force without worrying about stripping a flimsy piece of metal.
10-19-2012, 10:59 AM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ORIGINAL: Perry S.
Those standoffs are a terrible weak link. I usually shave them off. Stack up a couple sheets of styrene and drill it though. Then you can bolt through the hull, spacer and gearbox. Pretty much a free mod if you have the styrene which we probably all do. Plus you end up with a bulletproof, non flexing, gearbox-hull combination that is reinforced by an additional 1/4'' of plastic. So simple to do I don't know why you would want to stick with a standoff on the flimsy HL plastic hull.
Hope this helps,
Perry
Those standoffs are a terrible weak link. I usually shave them off. Stack up a couple sheets of styrene and drill it though. Then you can bolt through the hull, spacer and gearbox. Pretty much a free mod if you have the styrene which we probably all do. Plus you end up with a bulletproof, non flexing, gearbox-hull combination that is reinforced by an additional 1/4'' of plastic. So simple to do I don't know why you would want to stick with a standoff on the flimsy HL plastic hull.
Hope this helps,
Perry
Yes I kind of do the same thing. Bolt right through the bottom of the hull. You have four exposed bolt heads, but honestly how often does anyone look at the bottom of a tank. The result is rock solid.
Stand offs can work well, but there is a lot more fussing with them to get everything lined up. This way here, you build up the floor, drop in the gears, mark, drill through, install hardware, done.
10-19-2012, 01:10 PM
#6
Thread Starter
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
I agree, even though I "think" I got everything locked in tight right now, I might tear into it this winter when I have some free time and do the same thing...Gonna order the materials next week....fortunately my 2.0's came with one of those mounting plates which I can use as a pattern....think I will bond the layers(gonna buy a pack of .60" styrene sheets)with a thin coat of epoxy....makes you wonder if there might be a market if somebody could design a generic pattern based on the mato plates and simply have gearbox padsmachined out of one thick piece of styrene(lets just say 1cmthick for example)with all the holes in the proper locations. I would think the stand-off height, and hole locationswould be the same in all(or at least most)HLtanks...
Think I might check into this a little....
p.s.Being that I can't seem to convert in my head, I was wondering about how many sheets of .060 styreneI would need to make a pad roughly 1/2" thick? .060" what does that equate to roughly (1/8",1/16",1/32")? Should I go with .080"?
Think I might check into this a little....p.s.Being that I can't seem to convert in my head, I was wondering about how many sheets of .060 styreneI would need to make a pad roughly 1/2" thick? .060" what does that equate to roughly (1/8",1/16",1/32")? Should I go with .080"?
10-20-2012, 03:42 PM
#8
Thread Starter
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ok ..thats what I needed to know..I figured roughly 8-9 pieces..
ORIGINAL: blimp uk
here ya go , 8 x .060" + 1 x .020" or 6 x .080" + 1 x .025" equal 1/2" . 
here ya go , 8 x .060" + 1 x .020" or 6 x .080" + 1 x .025" equal 1/2" .
10-20-2012, 05:12 PM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
I don't think much about the stand offs, not enough support. Stripped down the floor and put down styrene right to the battery box. Makes it a vary sturdy base for the gear boxes.
Cheers
Johnny
Cheers
Johnny
10-20-2012, 08:14 PM
#10
Thread Starter
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
yup, I'm definatelty upgrading to a more solid base like yours...maybe even add a slab on the sides of the gearboxes like you did..very nice... Did you screw your gearboxes in through the bottom(please show a pic of the bottom with boxes installed)?
Did you screw your gearboxes in through the bottom(please show a pic of the bottom with boxes installed)?
10-21-2012, 03:56 AM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
If you rill the hull before placing the styrene, you'll have the exact hole locations of where the original standoffs were located.
Jim
Jim
10-21-2012, 05:16 AM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ORIGINAL: tisaksen
Sorry but what does ''rill'' mean ?
Sorry but what does ''rill'' mean ?
Yes, fat finger typo. I did mean drill. Boy forget to proof read once and you look like an idiote. LOL
Jim
10-23-2012, 03:34 PM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
Hey Dirtybird I just screwed the gear boxes to the styrene but the best way is to bolt it straight thru from the bottom of the hull.
I've done this mod to 11 tanks so far. Me latest is the Panzer lV with a 3-1 gear box a Pzr lll is next.
Cheers
Johnny
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HL Pershing x2, Tiger l, King Tiger, Panther G, Jagdpanther, Stug lll, Pzr lll x2. Pzr lV Tam Sherman and more to get !!
10-24-2012, 12:57 PM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ORIGINAL: Jaws01
Hey Dirtybird I just screwed the gear boxes to the styrene but the best way is to bolt it straight thru from the bottom of the hull.
I've done this mod to 11 tanks so far. Me latest is the Panzer lV with a 3-1 gear box a Pzr lll is next.
Cheers
Johnny
Johnny,
Great looking PZ IV. Where did you get the drivers from. They look like the later model drivers?
Jim
__________________________________________________ _____________
HL Pershing x2, Tiger l, King Tiger, Panther G, Jagdpanther, Stug lll, Pzr lll x2. Pzr lV Tam Sherman and more to get !!
Hey Dirtybird I just screwed the gear boxes to the styrene but the best way is to bolt it straight thru from the bottom of the hull.
I've done this mod to 11 tanks so far. Me latest is the Panzer lV with a 3-1 gear box a Pzr lll is next.
Cheers
Johnny
Johnny,
Great looking PZ IV. Where did you get the drivers from. They look like the later model drivers?
Jim
__________________________________________________ _____________
HL Pershing x2, Tiger l, King Tiger, Panther G, Jagdpanther, Stug lll, Pzr lll x2. Pzr lV Tam Sherman and more to get !!
10-24-2012, 01:37 PM
#18
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
Wow, that rasies the drive sprockets up to the correct level on the Panzer IV. Very cool mod takes care of two things at the same time on the PZ IV!!!
10-24-2012, 05:08 PM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
The Pzr lV late drives and new close pin tracks are Mato. #MT011A. I e-mailed Matomart for them that's where I shop for all me tank parts.
Changing and making parts is what I enjoy about the tanks.
Johnny
11-19-2012, 03:50 AM
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RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
ORIGINAL: MAUS45
Wow, that rasies the drive sprockets up to the correct level on the Panzer IV. Very cool mod takes care of two things at the same time on the PZ IV!!!
Wow, that rasies the drive sprockets up to the correct level on the Panzer IV. Very cool mod takes care of two things at the same time on the PZ IV!!!
./t
11-19-2012, 06:17 AM
#21
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
Yes, they are a little low. Compare Jaws01 photo to this one and you will see the difference. I also included photos of a PZIV G and PZIV H/J to compare as well.
11-19-2012, 11:27 AM
#23
RE: HL Gearbox stand-offs??
Here is a photo from the Raiden site showing the Heng Long Panzer IV with the tracks on. It shows the reason the gear boxes need to be raised better than the previous photo with the tracks off.
