Best Of Detailing the Micro-Trains DODX M1 Abrams Tank Sets

[JoeD]

yes, the underside was designed to accept both the 4 and 6 wheeled trucks just to make things easier.  There was a comment about the bolster pin being smaller and it was done that way so the bolster didn't get so large we had to make the pad on the truck obtrusive.  It holds just fine.  I've been test pulling 22 of them around our layout at the plant and so far everything stays put.

Joe

[Philip H]

I have a couple of videos:

[EspeeGoldenState]

@Mark W, have you attempted to put True Scale couplers in the boxes yet? I was curious at how well they would drop in.
 
Chris

[John]

Just got mine ..

[MK]

The kit looks so nice that you don't even want to build it.  Just put it on display in the China cabinet.   

[Mark W]

Ok, well right off the bat, we have a dilemma. 

The first thing I wanted to tackle is the wheel gaps.  Turns out, the mold behind those wheels is all solid.  This make sense, but means we'll have a lot more material to remove and an even smaller space to work in. 


https://i.imgur.com/ZvYQ6Sx.jpg

Using a dremal with a #70 something bit, I drilled out the open areas, then used an xacto as a chisel to carve out the corners. This one track took about two hours.
The dilemma lies in the results.  As you can see, it's a mess.  But then lean back a little, that mess blurs away and the individual parts really stand out.   


https://i.imgur.com/GqxE1Pa.jpg


So I learned two things; 
1. This method for "Day-lighting" the wheel gaps is not worth it. 
2. "Day-lighting" the wheel gaps somehow is totally worth it. 


Not to worry, I have a few ideas up my sleeve.  Many of you are probably already there too.  Instead of carving out the wheel gaps, carve out the entire wheel area and replace the wheels with brass.  If it's too much hassle to save the tracks, which may get replaced themselves anyway, we'll replace them too.   

[peteski]

Daylighting makes a bid difference visually.  But I'm still wondering why MTL didn't simply mold them that way?  @Shipsure  Could you provide some insight? Couldn't you guys make mold that part with gaps between the wheels?

[nickelplate759]

Couldn't you come close to the desired appearance with paint?  Paint it dark and flat, then highlight the tracks and wheels with the desired finish colors?

[Santa Fe Guy]

Couldn't you come close to the desired appearance with paint?  Paint it dark and flat, then highlight the tracks and wheels with three desired finish colors?

Ditto. I think that the gap would disappear and just look like a shadow under the tank if this was tried.
Rod.

[John]

Might be able to make some treads from the Can-Do M1A1s ...

[wazzou]

I would definitely go the paint route.

[Spades]

Daylighting makes a bid difference visually.  But I'm still wondering why MTL didn't simply mold them that way?  @Shipsure  Could you provide some insight? Couldn't you guys make mold that part with gaps between the wheels?

Daylighting would make it easier to paint the road wheels. When the M1 is sitting level you will see hull above the center of the road wheel, not daylight.

[MK]

I was thinking paint (black) too.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Are the tanks available separately?

[John]

Are the tanks available separately?

Yes .. they are -- Nov 2018  $19.95 msrp