/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HT021.JPG
HobbyTrax is a vendor that caught my eye at the 2011 AMPS Nationals. They were located across from TigerModels and next to Archer Fine Transfers. Their display had a wide range of products yet I never heard of them (OK, that only proves the limited circles I travel). After speaking to their representatives, I came away with two track sets. One for a Bergepanther project to be built by a well known modeler and the second the M4A3E8 tool which will come in handy with all the Shermans I have planned.
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Inside the sturdy packaging, we find two machined metal templates and resealable bag with three slotted bolts, three nuts, and a selection of plastic washers. Also inside was a sheet of instructions.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HT021a.JPG
In the instructions, one gets to see how much thought was put into the product from the choice of metal to the thread used on the bolts.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HT021b.JPG
The reason for the metal is to allow vinyl tracks to be formed by dipping them in hot water and then a dunk in cold water to lock the shape. However, the model I am using from Dragon comes with DS tracks. Care should be taken when using the hot water trick. Even the threads on the bolts were especially chosen to match the thread of hobby knife handles and allow a convenient handle to hold the tool while dipping the tracks in the hot water.
The track teeth were glued onto the DS runs and the HobbyTrax tool was used to ensure alignment of the teeth. After completing the run, I removed one plate off the tool and wrapped the tracks around it. I replaced the plate. It seems the DS tracks are tool long. While it could be that the tool is too small, my discussions with the representatives stated that they got measurements of the real item. So, I really should remove a link or two.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HobbyTraxABC.JPG
By now, it should be obvious that these tools would be the thing for non-articulating individual links such as those offered in many kits as it allows the modelers to simple align and glue. While this set is for a Sherman with live tracks, the other set for the Panther did provide sagging which will be imparted when gluing the tracks. With articulating tracks, you may not need this tool as the tracks will drape over the kit's suspension.
I do like the idea. While in my example it appears it is unneeded because of the live nature of the tracks, the fact is that the subject of my model had several links installed backwards on the track.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/21Cuban_havana-tank.jpg
This means that I will be cutting the links free, shortening the tracks while I am at it, and installing them as in the photograph above. In this scenario, the tool is definitely needed as it ensure that the left hand track is formed backwards since the Cubans installed it backwards, and the left track has the reversed links in the same position as the photos since the template will hold them in place as the glue dries. I may need to use some cellophane tape on the outside of the run.
HobbyTrax sets can be bought directly from their web site: HobbyTrax.
HobbyTrax is a vendor that caught my eye at the 2011 AMPS Nationals. They were located across from TigerModels and next to Archer Fine Transfers. Their display had a wide range of products yet I never heard of them (OK, that only proves the limited circles I travel). After speaking to their representatives, I came away with two track sets. One for a Bergepanther project to be built by a well known modeler and the second the M4A3E8 tool which will come in handy with all the Shermans I have planned.
------------------------------------
Inside the sturdy packaging, we find two machined metal templates and resealable bag with three slotted bolts, three nuts, and a selection of plastic washers. Also inside was a sheet of instructions.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HT021a.JPG
In the instructions, one gets to see how much thought was put into the product from the choice of metal to the thread used on the bolts.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HT021b.JPG
The reason for the metal is to allow vinyl tracks to be formed by dipping them in hot water and then a dunk in cold water to lock the shape. However, the model I am using from Dragon comes with DS tracks. Care should be taken when using the hot water trick. Even the threads on the bolts were especially chosen to match the thread of hobby knife handles and allow a convenient handle to hold the tool while dipping the tracks in the hot water.
The track teeth were glued onto the DS runs and the HobbyTrax tool was used to ensure alignment of the teeth. After completing the run, I removed one plate off the tool and wrapped the tracks around it. I replaced the plate. It seems the DS tracks are tool long. While it could be that the tool is too small, my discussions with the representatives stated that they got measurements of the real item. So, I really should remove a link or two.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/HobbyTraxABC.JPG
By now, it should be obvious that these tools would be the thing for non-articulating individual links such as those offered in many kits as it allows the modelers to simple align and glue. While this set is for a Sherman with live tracks, the other set for the Panther did provide sagging which will be imparted when gluing the tracks. With articulating tracks, you may not need this tool as the tracks will drape over the kit's suspension.
I do like the idea. While in my example it appears it is unneeded because of the live nature of the tracks, the fact is that the subject of my model had several links installed backwards on the track.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10065/21Cuban_havana-tank.jpg
This means that I will be cutting the links free, shortening the tracks while I am at it, and installing them as in the photograph above. In this scenario, the tool is definitely needed as it ensure that the left hand track is formed backwards since the Cubans installed it backwards, and the left track has the reversed links in the same position as the photos since the template will hold them in place as the glue dries. I may need to use some cellophane tape on the outside of the run.
HobbyTrax sets can be bought directly from their web site: HobbyTrax.