Modelling / Kits
The Kits forum is for the discussion of model kits. Typically questions on availability or certain subjects and quality of existing kits are posted here. Short reviews are good here too.
Topics:
Messages:
Subject:
3D Printed German Tool Clamps - Comparisons?
Date:
From:
Paul Owen
There are a few companies now making 3D printed German tool clamp sets in 1/35th scale.
Rochm Model have several sets coming.
T-Rex have a few sets.
FC Model Trend have sets for specific vehicles.
MJ Miniatures have a couple general sets and specific vehicles.
Shapeways ? I got a couple general sets from them a while ago.
Have I missed any?
If you have used any of these then what did you think of them? I am trying to determine which are the best in terms of accuracy, ease of use, value.
Paul.
Paul A. Owen - Track-Link Webmaster.
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Subject:
Re: 3D Printed German Tool Clamps - Comparisons?
Date:
From:
David Coyne
I recently bought some FC model trend sets so let me run through them.
First up is the Pz III set.
It is tagged as being for all kits which is just a little bit silly since the fire extinguisher mounting bracket is an early type. I haven't used it yet but it looks decent as far as the tool clasps go. I painted it for the photo since it is in a clear material in its raw form. I also put a Pz IV sprocket beside it and photographed it against two different backgrounds since it is so small and hard to make out details.
I have a Pz IV set as well. Again it is generic with an early fire extinguisher bracket.
They were &#;7 each as far as i can remember.
This is the Panther D/A grill set from them and it is truly awful as you can see in the photos.
It won't fit any kit despite suggesting on the package that it fits all kits.
This was &#;5.
David Coyne
Subject:
FC Model Trends are iffy
Date:
From:
Paul Owen
FC Model Trends stuff is a little iffy. Personally I'd stay away from them based on what I have heard here. Those don't look any better that the clamps I got from Shapeways, which are now two years old.
Thanks for the feedback.
Paul.
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Subject:
FC stuff is junk
Date:
From:
David Nickels
You could form better bits from cactus sand and glue - because that looks like what the FC stuff is made out of.
Subject:
Shapeways
Date:
From:
Paul Owen
Here are the clamps I got from Shapeways. They are a couple of years old and look a little dated compared to what is available now.
Paul.
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Subject:
Mig
Date:
From:
David Nickels
I have Mig Ammo's Panzer III Tool Clamps (universal). It has everything from the generic clamps and clips to the fire extinguisher bracket, shovel scabbard, jack brackets, etc.
I swear they are small looking and VERY petite. But, I have nothing else to compare them to (no other 3D sets). You get about 42 individual parts and the whole printed fret is about one inch square.
Subject:
Re: Mig
Date:
From:
Jon Feenstra
Ammo&#;s set IS FC Model Trend&#;s set . Exactly the same. I suppose it&#;s possible that FC supplies Ammo with the file and they print the parts themselves, but I don&#;t think so. Ammo simply re-package&#;s FC&#;s product.
Subject:
Re: Mig
Date:
From:
David Nickels
Interesting. If its FC it's much cleaner than the other FC products I have and its printed in clear
Subject:
Re: Mig
Date:
From:
David Coyne
As Jon said FC model trend and Ammo 3D sets are one and the same. I said in my description that i had painted the clear parts in sand so we could see the detail better.
David Coyne
Subject:
MJ and Trex
Date:
From:
Cody Kwok
I've used MJ for a couple of my builds already and they're very robust and don't break easily. They released an original set with other Tiger tool clamps, and I believe they now have these open/close clamps like other companies as well. The grey below are MJ's and black are Trex's.
I have not used the Trex ones yet, in this photo the handles seem thinner in the Trex set and their clamps seem slightly smaller than MJ's, but it could just be optical illusion. MJ's handles appeared thicker because the base is thicker also. I don't like the half open and half closed nature of the Trex set, the opened state is not commonly used in modeling.
If there's interest I can cut them out and take some shots tomorrow.
Subject:
I would like to see more details
Date:
From:
Paul Owen
I am interesting in seeing more detailed photos, yes.
If you have them mounted and with tools too, I'd like to see those.
Thanks,
Paul.
Paul A. Owen - Track-Link Webmaster.
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Subject:
Individual clamps
Date:
From:
Cody Kwok
Here is the side by side comparisons: from left to right: MJ smaller clamp, Trex late clamp,
Trex early , MJ larger. In this set MJ does not have the late clamp.
The smaller sized MJ is the go-to clamp I use because they fit most tools. Here is a Border Model's axe with it. The larger one would be quite loose and I use those for wire cutters.
The Trex ones I tried them for the first time. First thing I noticed is they are printed in substantially softer plastic, so they bent easily and I damaged one when I post processed. Second thing is the small clamp is quite small and may snuggly fit a shovel handle, but wouldn't fit the axe. The slightly larger one (I think they are late) barely made the lower part of the handle.
I don't quite know whether in reality there are larger and smaller clamps.
Subject:
Re: Individual clamps
Date:
From:
Paul Owen
Thanks for the photos. The look good but I can see printing artifacts along the top still. Are they obvious in person? I wonder what resolution they are using.
Thanks,
Paul.
Paul A. Owen - Track-Link Webmaster.
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Subject:
Re: Individual clamps
Date:
From:
Cody Kwok
You absolutely cannot see them once painted, as the photos are hugely magnified.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website german clamps.
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