Tiger1 Full Metal "Bullet-proof?"
02-19-2010, 12:38 AM
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Tiger1 Full Metal "Bullet-proof?"
Howdy 'all.
I'm fairly new to this hobby and site, but thought I'd post my current project. I have a Henglong Tiger 1 that I've had for a couple of months and have thoroughly thrashed. Ihad to tear it down and rebuild or replace the gear boxes (the brass bushing wore out after a week and Istarted stripping teeth off of the gears). After several attempts to re-engineer the worn out gear boxes I temporarilly gave up on running my tank (until steel geared boxes come from e-bay!) and decided to try a re-build in scrap metal. So starting with an old micro-wave and some 1/8" steel bar Ihave begun building a 1/16th scale fullmetal Tiger1. If my pictures load you will see a rough turret, front armor plates and lower hull plate with lower front armor welded in place. It isn't perfect, but after some bondo, detail work and paint Ithink it'll look pretty cool. Plus when it rusts, it will actually be... well rust!
I'm fairly new to this hobby and site, but thought I'd post my current project. I have a Henglong Tiger 1 that I've had for a couple of months and have thoroughly thrashed. Ihad to tear it down and rebuild or replace the gear boxes (the brass bushing wore out after a week and Istarted stripping teeth off of the gears). After several attempts to re-engineer the worn out gear boxes I temporarilly gave up on running my tank (until steel geared boxes come from e-bay!) and decided to try a re-build in scrap metal. So starting with an old micro-wave and some 1/8" steel bar Ihave begun building a 1/16th scale fullmetal Tiger1. If my pictures load you will see a rough turret, front armor plates and lower hull plate with lower front armor welded in place. It isn't perfect, but after some bondo, detail work and paint Ithink it'll look pretty cool. Plus when it rusts, it will actually be... well rust!
02-20-2010, 01:16 AM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
It must be a perspective thing as the new parts are all being built to 1/16 scale (well, they are supposed to be anyways... 
). Here's some pics of the roughed in upper hull with plastic engine deck I cut off of my HL Tiger. I can't replicate such intricate parts with the tools Ihave on hand so I'm going have to use at least the grills, and probably the whole piece if Iwant to retain any detail at all. Note: The upper hull side armor and front armor plate are all 1/8" and the hull top is recycled micro-wave.
). Here's some pics of the roughed in upper hull with plastic engine deck I cut off of my HL Tiger. I can't replicate such intricate parts with the tools Ihave on hand so I'm going have to use at least the grills, and probably the whole piece if Iwant to retain any detail at all. Note: The upper hull side armor and front armor plate are all 1/8" and the hull top is recycled micro-wave. 
02-20-2010, 07:48 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
I just did some mock-ups this evening with original hull to see if my upper hull was still fairly square. I still have to fabricate lowerhull sides, which I am not looking forward to. I'm not surehow I'm going to replicate the suspension though I am sure Iwill need metal swing arms, stronger springs and posibly requiremetal road wheels (not sure if I'll need them or justwant to have them).
03-22-2010, 09:25 AM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
Howdy, just updating this thread a little. I haven't gotten too much done in the last month or so, due to lack of time and money. But I got a little spurt of energy with the beautiful spring weather we've had here. So I took some pics of what little I have accomplished and will post them. There should be a pic with my front corners welded in, you should be able to see my first attempt at making a tow shackle out of a nail (I will need some more trial and error before I can figure out something that looks even remotely correct). I have just finished making the rear corners, but I am undecided on what I will use to mount my idler wheels. I also came to the realization that I can't make the suspension with the tools I have at my disposal (hacksaw, power drill, 4" grinder, welder, various hand tools, files etc...) I will buy (at some time in the future...) a small drill press and probably a small lathe, but until then I will have to improvise. I am planning on using the plastic side of the original model to mount my suspension. It will be boxed in with metal in front, back and top and backed with sheet metal. Also I have started more work on the turret (reinforcing, cutting holes...) but I cannot finish it until I have my gun figured out.
03-22-2010, 09:49 PM
#13
RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
With all that nice work and hard effort, why would you want too use the junk HL suspension set up. I would look into a torsion bar system, from Asiatam or Tamiya. I am sure that HL system will not do your hard work any justice, And with all that extra weight it just wont work.
04-08-2010, 12:46 AM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
My initial weight tests seemed to hold up with stock, HL suspension. However until Iget the lower hull fully assembled (alignment is a major major concern) I can't be sure if I'm wasting time or not. Iam trying to do this on a budget (of $0 ) so after-market hull is not happening any time soon. Iam currently paying off my Olds 425 rebuild at the machine shop. That "project" is only costing me about $3500, so the Asiatam hull will have to wait. If Ican get the lower hull/drive-line going soon I'll post some pics and video if Ican. Ihaven't made progress with the upper hull/turret since Istill haven't decided on what armament Iwill use. Ifigure a CO2 pistol will fit, but I have to find one cheap enough to destroy in case it doesn't work. I'd hate to ruin a $150 worth of bb-gun for nothing. I am starting to wish Ihad built a Tank-Killer instead of a full turret Tiger!
) so after-market hull is not happening any time soon. Iam currently paying off my Olds 425 rebuild at the machine shop. That "project" is only costing me about $3500, so the Asiatam hull will have to wait. If Ican get the lower hull/drive-line going soon I'll post some pics and video if Ican. Ihaven't made progress with the upper hull/turret since Istill haven't decided on what armament Iwill use. Ifigure a CO2 pistol will fit, but I have to find one cheap enough to destroy in case it doesn't work. I'd hate to ruin a $150 worth of bb-gun for nothing. I am starting to wish Ihad built a Tank-Killer instead of a full turret Tiger!
04-19-2010, 06:12 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
OK, I have scratch built my idler/tensioner assembly and test ran my Tiger 1 lower hull. I found that the new gear boxes (with steel gears, no extra gear reduction) can handle the hull and even extra load of two 1960's big-block engine pistons. Climbing and maneuvering are still good with the extra weight. The stock HL suspension is still holding up, however I am planning on getting metal arms, road wheels and possibly upgraded springs to help with extra weight and wheel alignment issues. I took some video of the tank test run but I'm not sure if I can post it or how I would go about it if I even can. So for now here's some pics (including new engine for use in next tank project! ) :
) : 
04-20-2010, 06:18 PM
#20
RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
May want too consider some Speed 400's or Big Block 400 motors for that puppy. Your gonna burn boards like crazy with all that weight. Mine weighs 14 Lbs. 8 oz. and the 400's with 3:1's works just fine. Even with Tamiya electronics with 7 or 8 hits it can still move well.
04-20-2010, 10:51 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
I will weigh the lower section with boards and battery and let you know what the current total is. I will also weigh it with the two pistons I ran it with for ballast so you can see what kind of weight they will haul. One issue is: I have laid partially built upper hull and some test weights on lower hull to see if the suspension will hold up and I have found that the stock springs are too weak. As for the gears they are steel gear standard ratio boxes I got off E-bay for about $30 Canadian. They are holding up much better than the stock HL ones that came with the tank. The metal version lower hull with two 425 Oldsmobile pistons on it seems to run as fast and climb as well as stock plastic HL Tiger.
04-20-2010, 11:12 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
Weighed lower hull with battery in and my bathroom scale says 9lbs. With two pistons used for balast, said 13lbs. Ifigure once Ihave my gun and turret finished and upper hull installed Ishould be between 14-16lbs. I don't know how much weight the metal suspension arms and wheels will add but at leats it will be un-sprung weight so won't matter in spring tension issues. I was trying to resend pics in a format that one can actually look at them but it is not working.... 
04-21-2010, 03:27 PM
#23
RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
Well thats not too bad. Like I said my Tamlong Tiger weighs 14 pounds 8 oz with 2 batteries in here. Thats with the Asiatam lower hull and Asiatam early style metal roadwheels. I dont think your going too need any ballast. It's going too weigh enough for almost any playing surface. You know at this scale too much weight is a very BAD thing.
04-21-2010, 07:00 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
The ballast was just for test driving purposes. I had to see if the motors would pull the tank. I think they will, but worst case I'll swap in some 3:1 reducers.
07-18-2010, 04:30 PM
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RE: Tiger1 Full Metal
Howdy,
Ihave been trying to get some work done on my projects, but a new baby girl has gotten in the way and taken up most of my time. However, I have managed to get the hull almost done and have started my gun system. I wanted to install the wheels and tracks but Iam re-thinking my idler system. Iam now in the process of installing ball-bearings in the idlers and am going to mount them with 4mm bolts and washers. Ijust got tired of the idlers coming loose. Also Ihave had no luck keeping my drive wheel bolts from backing out even after applying loc-tite. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
Ihave been trying to get some work done on my projects, but a new baby girl has gotten in the way and taken up most of my time. However, I have managed to get the hull almost done and have started my gun system. I wanted to install the wheels and tracks but Iam re-thinking my idler system. Iam now in the process of installing ball-bearings in the idlers and am going to mount them with 4mm bolts and washers. Ijust got tired of the idlers coming loose. Also Ihave had no luck keeping my drive wheel bolts from backing out even after applying loc-tite. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.