Who was it that had the real neat build thread on "How To" upgrade the Mato metal VVSS?

I'm doing it on a budget and will probably use the plastic conical springs. []



And thanks for the help!














~ Jeff

Was it this one on RCTR using the Tamiya hvss to upgrade the MATO vvss? here => MATO metal Sherman suspension mod


~ Craig ~

That is the one. Very simple, and effective. I cast a bunch of conical springs out of resin. I have a bag full of them. PM me

Thanks guys, that's the one and I thank you!



Dan... let me look through my 'Shermy stuff' to see what I do have.




BTW, what ARE the dimensions of that chrome sleeve? I bet I don't have any of those so I'll have to make some. But I do know I have some plastic springs left over. [&:]














~ Jeff

I found something that would work at a tire shop. Some type of chrome extension for a valve cap. Strange but true.

Dan, is it this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monkey-Grip-...-/230535671106 I've bought them at auto parts stores for around $2, and have used them as 'grease towers' on Tamiya semi trucks, (along with a 3/8" chrome spring cap to cover the end). The 4mm flanged nut that holds the wheel onto the axle fits right inside, like it was made to. I never thought of using them for VVSS bogies, but that's a great idea - I'll bet they bind a lot less on the springs than the Tamiya Sherman spring tubes do.

I'll need what... 24 pieces? What 30 bucks for those? I need to check what the Tamiya parts costs now.














~ Jeff

I guess I only need 12 and can get the Tamiya parts for 30 bucks.

http://shop.aaftankmuseum.com/Produc...ctCode=9415499

Or make 'em myself as they do not get scratched up like the springs can.














~ Jeff

They were something like that. I can't say they were exactly the ones. You do have to be concerned about the height and Diameter. So it is a good idea to make sure you got exactly what you need for dimensions. THey probably come in many different sizes.

You will need 3 packages to do a tank. So like $10/tank

I thought you only needed to cover the Mato springs with the Tamiya conical springs, or am I missing something valuable lol. So the suspension bag and the conical springs are needed?

Cheers,
wade

You need sleeve that holds the concial springs in line when they are being compressed.

Sheesh now I need to spend more money lol. Thanks Dan, thanks a lot............

My Mato Sherman is turning out to be the most expensive cheapest build.

That'll teach ya!














~ Jeff

I am still liking the aluminum ones I used on the Mato VVSS on my USMC Sherman build. Still going strong and working great. I will be doing the same thing on my DD Sherman.

Herman

Ya know, when I built my A1E8 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_66..._1/key_/tm.htm I went all metal on the HVSS, with the prospect of the sleeves scraping the aluminum conical springs to show wear.

But apparently they are lined up perfectly because there is NO SHINY AREAS THERE!!! Even on my first Sherman, which is ALL STOCK. No wear.

So, with that in mind I will make the sleeves out of what ever I have here and use the surplus plastic springs because there will not be the need of the more expensive ones!



Sorry aftermarket guys... it's a waste of money. (unless you assemble them crooked to show wear)














~ Jeff

For me it was easier using the valves sleeves then fabricating my own. We are talking $10 here YOu could easily get some brass tube, and a pipe cutter to turn out a dozen. The brass tube will probably cost you $5 though.

With some measurements in hand I will stop by WalMart and look for the valve stem chrome sleeves all because that metal is a thinner gauge than what I think I have here.


Plus, that is a bunch of cutting... even on a lathe.














~ Jeff