an update of whats been going on here with my tiger build with all the bugs ironed out thought it was time to share some of my progress
picture 1 shows the process of taking out all that unwanted plastic!!
picture 2 shows getting rid of the plastic spigots (a bane of many a hl tanker)
picture 3 is the ally angle pieces cut and drilled to except the new metal arms with brass rods shown above the angle
picture 4 +5 is my solution to the rear adjustable idler (more on that later) bush made and installed with arm fitted
picture 6+7 is the gearbox mod so it fits with the angle and suspension arms fitted on the inside with springs

in between doing the chassis the top got cleaned up and new metal hatches fitted

a couple of better shots showing the suspension mod and gearboxes installed(temporary)
also the rear deck with usable hatches and some progress on the main gun

Excellend work!

I love your spring setup. Gets back to springs that are more commonly found. So simple once you see it. you could also do away with the heng long version of a bump stop and make your own easily.

thanks guys i will be showing more on the spring set-up on the other side as the first side was a test to see what needed doing and were to put it so no real good build shots on that.
going to be stealing mailedfist's take on the bearings for the final drive shaft up front as it's a damn good idea (and i already had the right bearings for the job)

I am very interested in this. Please keep us posted as this moves along. I like the spring set up.

Very, very interesting your job. Original, easy and efficient your modify work. I like it. I keep your post.

thanks Yhr and oraculo this is the place i got the springs from http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...rings&doy=1m10

heres a step by step for the suspension;
1) ally angle used 20mm x 20mm x 1.5mm this sits against the outside wall of the tank. 20mm x 15mm x 1.5mm this sits on top of the 20mm x20mm to form a "U" channel (this was sourced from a local D.I.Y chain)

2) 5mm brass rod this was bought from R.S. components

first job to do is to cut the new metal arms down pic 1. As i'm putting bearings where the old springs sat this needs to be trimmed off but leave some showing about 1mm as you dont want it to tight!!!

next is to cut the brass rod down to size then carefully tap it into the metal suspension arms this is a real tight fit.

next up drill the spigots with a 3mm drill through the old screw hole then get rid of the old plastic spigots i used a drill/mill with a milling bit to make a nice clean job as i want the small hole left in place to use as a guide for lining up the holes in the ally.

next mark off the holes on the ally, spot mark them and then drill out using a 5.2mm drill (remember to do both channels) now you can drill through the tank side plastic using the same 5.2 mm drill install the ally channel lining up the holes (if any are off it doesnt matter to much just file the excess ally until the hole is clear)

used 2 of the new arms to ensure the ally was in the right place and used one more to make sure the rest of the holes lined up perfect which they didnt about 3 were of a bit[&o][X(][X(] so cleaned them up with a round file and re-checked PERFECT[sm=lol.gif]

Man you are really going all out on this!!
[8D]GREAT WORK!!

problem is ive got a brand new tam sherman sat in the workshop begging me to build it so i've got to get a move on and finish the tiger

fv432
man with what your doing to this Tiger (great job by the way) I can't wait to see what you do to that Sherman

Tiger First
Sherman Second

and there i was getting on K.Ts case [X(][X(][:-][:-]

some more photos on the suspension in a bit more detail
pic 1+2 shows the length needed for the brass bar (this is not accurate and doesnt need to be so long as they are long enough to go through both sides of the ally channel)

pic 3 is me cutting the bar with my hi-tech new tool which cost a fortune (jnr hacksaw[X(][X(])

pic 4 is all the parts for one side cut,filed and ready to hammer into the new arms

pic 5+6 shows the length of the 2 arms that will sit opposed to each other at the back next to the idler arm, they are longer than the others and this will become apparent when i've figured out what the hell to do with them as the room out the back end is getting real tight

pic 7 is after the hammer

pic 8+9 show the milling process to give the inner arms clearence from each other (about 2mm)

pic 10 a side by side of the plastic arms 1st not milled 2nd milled

pic 11 old plastic arm with spring seat milled into it

pic 12 shows the spring sat in the seat

help need some input from you guys getting a bit stuck on the issue of the rear idler
which of these would be better; manual adjustment or self adjusting can do either just cant decide which way to go[][][&o][&o]

I keep vascillating too! I think I'm going with manual, in the same way as the real tank, right through the armored covers. Should get started on it this week.

nice one swathdiver my thoughts exactly so manual it is
thanks for the input

Don,t know how i missed this thread [] Excellent work Fv432 be interested in seeing what you have lined up for the rear idler keep up the good work

Cheers Ian

thanks ian i will keep posting on this one all of the suspension is now finished (parts wise) just needs final assembly then the idler [X(][X(][X(]
got a few ideas will see how they pan out. Got the ally floor in and old battery cover replaced with 2mm thick ally so it's coming on slowly finally finished laying patio and driveway so should be able to commit more time to this (thats if the site manager the missus gives me the O.K.)

You're doing a great job there, cant wait to see it up and running.

thanks for the kind words woz need to get more work done on it.Hope to have the lower half complete by this weekend wife allowing[X(][X(][X(]

Tell you what fv,it shows what these little monsters can be modified to.

I like all your ideas so far.Wives just love giving us DIY jobs to keep us away from our toys.Mine is no different,she knows I've nearly finished re-building my old Mardave Meteor buggy.

She knows all I've got to do now is set out the gear and ni-cad position,then buy a new bodyshell and front springs from Mardave,but she's keeping me hard at it re-building the bloody kitchen instead[>:][>:][>:].

Keep at it matey.It'll be great to see it running when you're done.

Mark

OMG yours is just like mine now she's dragging me off to the pub tonight so no tiger building and she's also dragging me down the pub tommorrow as well and they've got a big T.V. and we'll be their just when the rugger match is on oh darn it i'll just have to do as she says[&o][&o][&o][&o]

ROTFLDon't you just hate being dragged the Pub[>:][>:] Come on England do the Froggies

Cheers Ian