I'm afraid someone was offended in the company and he posted the tank on the network, now you can make spare parts YOURSELF or the whole tank ...
https://cults3d.com/es/modelo-3d/variado/merkava-mk-iv

Actually, as 3d printers become ubiquitous, companies should provide down-loadable spare parts files as a support feature for all their models. They could advertise “life long support” for the cost of maintaining some files on a server. There is a lot of potential here. I wonder which major model maker will be first to seize this opportunity?

I asked Hooben for the files to print spares if I need them. They told me since they sent me the spare part I need just wait for that. If I break another one later then they will send me the print files to make spare parts.

I would wait a couple days after the new part arrives, then contact them and tell them that it already broke, so let's get with the files.

Good luck on companies sourcing out all the files. The issue mainly is cost really. Once that file is released online it is now there forever. Just think of the hours it took to make that model/item and now it is available for free. Not only that it encourages a race to the bottom where people just go for the lowest available price to print vs quality and issues start there as well. I can definitely see a reason for some parts yes (some companies have done this already with dishwasher parts and such) however for a full model most likely that will be one off or small business type things. It takes a lot of time to model this stuff and leaking a single file can ruin all that time and development. It also ruins all that time and investment with that employee on future profits for that item too which is never good for your employees seeing their hard work wasted. If a company was going to do this they wouldn't be a manufacturer, just a design company.

However it does suck with the Merkeva, from what I hear the HL one isn't too far off and hopefully you can mix and match to get a good one. I'll do what I can and try to get a batch or two of them for you guys so you don't have to buy from eBay or some sketchy place.

Well..... Look what just arrived via UPS Air.
Hooben came through with the repair part and sent a spare for the other side.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...19f49c3bc1.jpg

Rich, in case you didn't see this, here is another owner you could trade notes with https://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/foru...p?f=33&t=32564

I am really really unhappy. I replaced the broken arm last night, the one I broke accidently by having to pry the hub caps off to unscrew the axle screws to put lock tight on them. I was shocked the axle broke.
Well today I went to the field and I drove 15 feet. 15 feet over some uneven ground and bam, wheel broke right off.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...9b3312d5d1.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...851d0597b1.jpg

Best left on the shelf until they start selling Heng Long chassis then transfer over all the 3DO detail parts to dress it up...

On the shelf, he will be unkillable!...;)

I asked Hooben to send me the 3d print files so I could make new arms. They offered to sell me a whole set of new arms (which will break just the same) for $201.

Just look for somebody who makes zamac copies using the plastic ones for moulds, I did here, there are lot of people who make zamac parts. Don't pay 200 for the same fragil part

If it was me, I would have paid with PayPal and right now I would be in the process of getting my money back.

After this, seeing how they are with customer service, I have decided that I don't even want to purchase the t-55 kit. As far as I'm concerned, I will never buy anything that hooben makes.

I showed you a site where you can print parts for a few bucks ...
The T-55 is now produced from plastic which sticks disgustingly, the quality of the casting is monstrous. I have an old issue of 2008 No. 983, this is real plastic, it is perfectly glued with Tamiya glue...
I even made rotating turrets ...
Hooben 1\16 ?-55? ??????.

WAIT WHAT? $201 for suspension arms??
Shapeways does metal printing btw :) I would suggest ASA as a material option as well. Lots of better properties vs ABS and is UV resistant too so better for outdoor parts.

Yes loading to a private shapeways account for metal printing was my thought, but they won’t give me the print files. So, I can’t do anything that involves printing.

I might be able to remove an arm on each side and make rubber molds and metal castings like pewter or zamac. I’ve watched some of “the craftsman” videos on the tube of doing metal casting.

I once looked into lost wax casting for a track tensioner part that AFV Models didn't make anymore, and was quoted less than $100 by a local craft shop that specialized in jewellery; perhaps you can find something similar where you are, if you're determined to make it work (better)? However it looks to me the whole tank is made using techniques and materials that are wholly unsuitable for RC, so it may be a case of throwing good money after bad, especially with Heng Long's Merkava on the horizon.

If you follow the instructions, then the tank can be on the shelf, then breakdowns are excluded and the warranty case is not considered;)https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5c09385893.jpg

In other words "don't play with tank"...


Jerry

You knew!(С) :):):)

That just reinforces my new philosophy, never buy anything from hooben!!!

Seriously, I've been in this hobby for eight years and I have never once seen a good review review on any hooben product. All I've ever heard is complaints and problems. Of course, I suppose there are some guys who will enjoy the challenge of trying to build a decent scale model tank from a company with such a reputation as hooben.

A friend of mine solved the problem of the front fenders - radically, made them, as in the original from rubber ...https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4b62cc90e1.jpg

I looked into that option reviewing photos of the real thing and considered doing this mod as well. I have those hinges on my bench actually too.
For now, I just want to get the tank to run without breaking.

Has your friend driven his tank off road at all, over dirt or uneven terrain?

I think he will answer you himself ...
He works more than he writes;)
I'm a press secretary :) :) :)

I received the 3d print files from Hooben late last week. A friend was able to open them and view them. Hes going to work on them and test print some. He is going to see if the recessed hex hole for the axle nut in the rear can be removed to strengthen the design. That is right where they break because there is so little material right there. I will just get a longer screw and put the nut outside the control arm. Who cares, its under the tank any way.

He sent me back the individual files, They have 6 on a print deck together but they appear to be all the same left and right respectively. I loaded up a L and R to a printing vendor and am having them printed in steel. Just one left and one right. Total cost for these two is 100 bucks.
Im hoping that I can get away with making the front and rear arms steel, and leaving the middle arms plastic and not break. It will probably take the heavier plastic arms if he is able to make them without the nut recess.