Hey Guys,

Every once in a while I come up with a new way to do something. Either from a customer request, or just my own need or someone elses idea. The point is I may let that customer know and then I loose it, or loose the pics. I thought I would start putting one or two a month on here, that way selfishly I have record of it, and even better, you guys have it and a lot of you can add to the idea and improve on it and let us know.

This month's Tip is you can use the new Mato Sherman 3:1 brass gearbox in the Panzer III & Tauchpanzer, NOT the Stug III.

I had to cut the Mato mounting plate in two and trim a few places. I think it offers the best option to secure the gearbox and flexibility if you need to make adjustments. For example; If you need to adjust the whole gearbox in say a 1/16th or an 1/8th then you can just wide the holes that I have marked with a red circle.

These holes are marked in red also as you will use 4 of the Heng long screws from the old gearbox mounting. All other screws use the new screws that come with the gearbox, there are 3 spots that they are secured. See attached pictures that help to demonstrate what I am talking about. Also The first two pictures show where I had to shave a little off of the inside plastic stand offs only the ones in the inside as the plates seemed to tilt up a little, but again not much maybe a 1/16th. Check for your self first as all the tanks can be a little different depending on how they came out of the mold that day.

Note: Sometimes the brass drive shafts circumference's are not quite spec, and a little tight on the drive sprocket. If that is the case, I would recommend shaving a little off with sand paper keeping it level as possible of course. I have used a dremil but that takes too much off too fast and its too easy to screw it up.

Thanks,

Phil ( The Blitz )

cool......

Thanks for the useful tip Phil. very well done explanation along with pictures to boot. ? will a copy of this be placed in the tip section of the forms. The reason I'm asking this is there have been times when I've tried to look up something and have gone back 30 pages an still did't find what I was looking for.I find most times the search button is not to helpful when looking for other post either.

Phil, great tip

Wayne, You could do what I do and bookmark this thread/page. I find the search thing is almost useless too
unless I have a couple hours to waste

Mike EOT

Just experienced the dreaded lost post again..

I have used these 2.0 gears, and they are good.

Phil

I always run stock motors in mine, and I am wondering what the advantage is to the upgraded motors??? IS it the added torque or the speed you are going after?

I am planning on going to Danville again in April so I am wondering if these motors provide that much of an advantage when mated to a good set of gears.

yeah, definately wanna run at least 400's..hard to explain but you'll notice an improvement in ALL aspects of driving...worth every penny compared to stock(stock/w plastic tracks = 400's/w metal tracks)as far as performance

I am running 480's with the stock Tamyia gearboxes (no geardowns) on my USMC Sherman, and am still moving well with 5 hits on it. Using my steel axle mod and the modded Mato metal suspension and duck bill tracks.

I have two sets of axles and aluminum spring covers available. PM me for more info.

Herman

I have to agree that the larger motors help. I see a difference in torque, especially after being hit a few times. That, along with good gearboxes make all the difference in battles.

Phil,

Good tip. Thanks.

I'm finding myself building a Word or Wordperfect document that logs the tips and builds. Pictures are organized on the hard drive and then referenced in the document. This way, if the site crashes (like another forum did) or someone asks looking for it, I can just send it to them or repost it as a PDF or the clean document. Just an idea...

Keep sharing...love your innovations.

BTW...how do the V2 Mato boxes compare to Asiatam's brass gear boxes?

Thanks guys,

Philpat,

I prefer these over the Asiatam gearbox, and here is why. It the ability to use larger motors, now if I was to do a quality rating I give the Asiatam a 8 out of 10. And the new Mato 2.0 a 7 out of 10. But there are a few factors here. The asiatam long shafts to me a not worth putting in many tanks to awkward, the Matos drop right in, yea maybe you have to run through them and make sure all it tight or a washer here and there, but you may have to do that with Asiatam as well just not as much. The new 2.0's quality is continuing to get better while I had a few more minor issues with the Asiatams I brought in. There is one case where I still will bring in the short shaft Asiatam units, and that if for guys who just want to install them in the Asiatam P-III & Tiger 1 lower hulls as the bolt pattern is laready there, but with the understanding that they are stuck with those slow but toquey little motors. Oh you can make a custom raised mounting plate and I have with some success but them you might as well just use the Mato Gearbox becuase the custom mount is never going to be as good as it was intended to be mounted. Long answer but that is how I see if from selling a lot of both sets and running these my self in my tanks, custom builds and from my customers feedback.

Phil