Well the first one I went to was enthusiastic, but I think it was more for the money ($65.00 a wheel if I order 32 of them.) than the project. Second one I went to was much more reasonable and genuinely interested in what I was trying to do. He is making a set of sprockets to see how long it will take to give me a firm price. He is thinking more along the line of $50.00 a sprocket wheel and a bit less for the idlers. I will keep you all posted on any progress. This is more of a headache than I anticipated.

Herman

Thanks for sticking with this Herman. Hopefully this new shop will be able to make a better product.

I have not heard from the machinist yet, and probably wont until next week sometime. For some reason all of the machine shops in this area are extremely busy right now, or is it just me? Well anyway, I have been keeping busy with the suspension and road wheels. I have all of the spring hangers and springs put together using the ones from 35RCTank. They work great for this application. I have put bearings in all of the Tiger 1 wheels, made hubcaps so that they look like the Hetzer wheels, and I am in the process of making the attachment points for the pairs. I have run into one snag however. I am short on four (4) screws. I thought I had them, but I can't find them and they were not with the others. They must have gone UA! So, I am in need of purchasing some of the axle screws from a StuG III or PZ III. If anyone has some they are willing to sell, PM me please. These are the Allen head screws with a shoulder that attach the axles to the tank hull in the first picture.

Thanks, Herman

We have a rolling chassis now! Still no sprockets or idlers, but we have road wheels and springs that work.

I have not mounted them permanently yet since I am still a little unsure of the spacing out from the hull. I can still adjust for that once I get some workable sprockets.

Herman

I am not at home, but I got the new sprockets in and they are great! I will send more information in another week or so with pictures and prices for anybody interested.

Herman

Thanks Herman!!! I cannot wait to see the new set. Rudy

great build man , a hetzer who don't want one of those ...

Well I am finally home after two weeks of biting my nails wanting to get back to work on these with the new sprockets and idlers. They are all of what the first set should have been and more. The tracks fit on them great and run without hang ups. Cost is a bit more, $60.00 for a pair of sprockets and $40.00 for the idlers, but the workmanship is worth it. I still have to adjust the track length, wheel alignment, and install the return rollers. With all of that said, what do you think of them?

Looks like a good mesh. The teeth on the sprocket seem deadly sharp, very nice.

Are the sprockets held on with a set screw, or will they bolt on like most other sprockets?

Looks good Herman. A unique item.

The set screw is to fit them on the flat of the axle to keep them from rotating. They are held on with a screw into the end of the axle as normally done. I am really liking these.

Herman

They look way better then the other shops try!!! Are they steel or aluminum?

They are aluminum.

Herman

This is looking pretty darn good

Man that is looking sharp. Good work.

Good news everyone. I have ordered enough sprockets and idlers to have overcome the set up costs. This means a reduction in price for the sprockets and idlers and a new late war pattern to go along with the early war one. Sprockets are now available for $35.00 a pair and idlers at $30.00 a pair. Here is a comparison picture of both types. Early is on the top, late war on the bottom.

Herman

Thous are nice Herman, thanks for the all your hard work and finding someone to make these ! Wayne

So what do we need to do to order these?

Send me a PM of which style you want & how many of each. I will then get back to you on how to pay (Pay Pal) and where I need to send them. It may take a couple of days to get them made.

Herman

I received my sprockets and idlers - just as pretty as in the pictures. Almost a shame to paint them..... almost.

Thanks Herman!

Time to did out the Blue Star Hetzer and solve that transmission problem.

Thanks for those kind words. I am very pleased with them also. Go ahead and paint them, they won't stand out as much that way.



Herman

thats a sweet build! Wish I had the Time, Patience and Skill to a job like that!

I am turning in a request for more sprockets and idlers tomorrow. If you want them for next week, speak up now. I only talk to the machinist once a week.

Herman

I have done a little more to one of the Hetzers. I added the shurzen to it. I did not do the three separate panels on each side because this is a battle tank. I did one panel with scribe lines to show the three. It is attached in two places and folds up to service the tracks and to take the upper hull off.

Herman

Hey Herman, What's the status on my hetzer so far? Thanks