1/35 Trumpeter Panzerkampfwagen. VIII Maus Build

[NicolasCage]

Hi Alex
That's some kit :rolling: With that many parts it's the equivalent to at least 3 'normal' kits! Interior looks very nice but as has been said it's a shame little will be seen. Well done with the track now just repeat.
Jim

Is it just my computer or are the first 4 posts on this thread out of sequence??

Yes it’s quite something.. and testing my patience no it’s out of sequence for me as well I think. Unless I’m posting stuff wrong I’m new to this.

[Tim Marlow]

Yes it’s quite something.. and testing my patience no it’s out of sequence for me as well I think. Unless I’m posting stuff wrong I’m new to this.

It’s not you Alex….apparently I commented before you built it LOL

[Jim R]

The out of sequence posts are most probably the 'Internet Imp' having a mischievious joke. He is a close relative of the Carpet Monster who collects up and hides dropped model parts and the Glue Gremlin who tips over glue bottles, usually aiming very accurately for trousers, half built models and the carpet. Little rascals all who haunt modellers benches :rolling:
Jim

[Guest]

Is it just my computer or are the first 4 posts on this thread out of sequence??

This is because Alex had posted this same thread twice in two different subforums, but the one here was a day or so after the other one. I reported the first thread to the moderators with the comment that it might be a good idea to merge the two by moving the replies. What happens when you do that, though, is that the posts end up in chronological order — making it seem like Tim and I replied before Alex posted anything at all. (The better way to merge these two threads would have been to move the replies from here to there, delete the remains of this thread, and then move the single remaining thread from there to here If the original hasn’t been completely deleted but only removed from view, then that is still possible: move all replies here to there, then delete this one, etc.)

[NicolasCage]

Tank tracks really are the worst.. :disappointed:
after 8-9 hours, they are finally complete!

[Guest]

WTF? I posted that to the wrong thread Let me report that one too …

[Jim R]

Glad the tracks are done Alex. A very repetitive task.
I did wonder Jakko :smiling2:

[Tim Marlow]

WTF? I posted that to the wrong thread :sad: Let me report that one too …

I thought it was me!

[NicolasCage]

First obstacle.. and if anyone can think of best ways to alter this that would be welcomed. The spokes on each wheel are not aligned - having followed the instructions carefully and the way the spokes fitted together, they could only fit the way they did.. either an error in the manual or from me (the latter most likely). As such, the tracks do not wrap around the spoked wheels correctly. So far I can only think of
A - cutting of the spokes on one wheel, and gluing/pinning them so they are aligned.
B - cut the part(s) that holds the spoked wheels in place, then try and pry-apart one spoked side, re-align and fit back in…
Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[JR]

Think B might be the better option, if you can pry them apart Alex.

The thought of cutting off the spokes then trying to realign seems to be even harder.

I am known for my love hate of plastic tracks, so think looking at those you've done well. :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:
Love the interior, going to be fun painting. Most the ones I've seem the builder paints the internals before assembly., any reason you decided to do it this way ?

[NicolasCage]

Think B might be the better option, if you can pry them apart Alex.

The thought of cutting off the spokes then trying to realign seems to be even harder.

I am known for my love hate of plastic tracks, so think looking at those you've done well. :thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:
Love the interior, going to be fun painting. Most the ones I've seem the builder paints the internals before assembly., any reason you decided to do it this way ?

Many thanks for the response John.
Ok I’ll go with plan B & find a small saw/drill bit and carefully cut it out and hope for the best.. Do you know of any solvent that would de-bond plastic cement?
Regarding the painting, I have done just a dry fit in the pictures, just to ensure everything fits smoothly. Then, as you mentioned, I will paint each part individually and then fit.

[JR]

Hi Alex.
The only way I know of taking a previously glued part would to add some Tamiya Thin to the area.As it melts the plastic then pry .I would wait for some of the guys to say what they think first.

That's good about it being a dry fit, bet I didn't read the post well enough, if so sorry.

You could always put up a post asking for help in removing glued parts, then more people would see it. Just a thought.

[NicolasCage]

Hi Alex.
The only way I know of taking a previously glued part would to add some Tamiya Thin to the area.As it melts the plastic then pry .I would wait for some of the guys to say what they think first.

That's good about it being a dry fit, bet I didn't read the post well enough, if so sorry.

You could always put up a post asking for help in removing glued parts, then more people would see it. Just a thought.

Good shout I’ll post around and see what people say. No I don’t think I mentioned it being a dry fit, I was just eager to see what it would look like as well! Thanks again.

[Tim Marlow]

Best way to realign those would be a fine (needs to remove as little material as possible) saw cut inside one of the sprockets to remove it from the assembly. Then once you have separated it, realign and re cement the joint. It should be virtually invisible afterwards.
Disassembling a cement join is possible using liquid solvent such as John said, but it is possible to damage the parts that way. Plastic cement is a solvent that melts the parts together and then evaporated. The solvent will need to melt the join to allow separation, but can also melt the rest of the part. A clean cut would be my choice.

[NicolasCage]

Best way to realign those would be a fine (needs to remove as little material as possible) saw cut inside one of the sprockets to remove it from the assembly. Then once you have separated it, realign and re cement the joint. It should be virtually invisible afterwards.
Disassembling a cement join is possible using liquid solvent such as John said, but it is possible to damage the parts that way. Plastic cement is a solvent that melts the parts together and then evaporated. The solvent will need to melt the join to allow separation, but can also melt the rest of the part. A clean cut would be my choice.

Thank you for the input! Time for some surgery then and impromptu DIY… at least the sprockets are hidden under the tracks once completed, so it won’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t look 100%.
many thanks again.