Destroyed T-34 WIP

[geppetto2]

Hey GB:

I am in the process of finishing up a JD T34 and the tool I got for Christmas from my mother of all people that worked the best is a Craftsman multi tool. The blade went thru this thing like butter and it was really easy to make straight cuts. I know that the kit has some issues but with a little bit of work I feel like you can get some wonderful results. Look forward to seeing what you come up with and as soon as I get the final pieces I will post some pics of mine. Good luck.

Jeff (Geppetto)

[Germanbilly1]

Resse, have the Dremel and with the thickness it just starts to melt the stuff. Tried fast and slow and I think I will buy some new blades as I have used this thing for cutting everything.. The best I have found is the dremal with a cutting disc. Problem is the angles. I'm gong to use the Dremel saw to do the side fenders as they are straight. The only reason I'm removing all this stuff is to get a real effect like in the pictures I have seen. Want it to look real and I have lots of time lol.
Bill

Originally Posted by Sixth Vanguard

You could try the old "freeze and break" trick. Used to be so easy (and bad for the environment) when you could buy cans of freon at the car part store and do all kinds of mayhem with the stuff


Bill, if you have one of the oscillating type cutters, like a Rockwell or Dremel or even Harbor Freight, that might work best for that stuff.

[johnro6659]

The multi tools are great for a lot of stuff but I had issues with melting the soft plastic these roto molded kits are made of. The cuts even with a brand new blade were a little on rough side when I used a hand held razor saw I got rough edges. I have a Fein Tool, Dremel and the inexpensive Harbor Freight multi tools the Dremel seemed to work the best out of the three. What I did was cut with the multi tool leaving a little material and then trimmed it with an X-acto knife to get a nice smooth edge. That waxy plastic has a very low melting temperature it doesn't take much to melt it power tools run too fast even at low speeds and heat the plastic to the point it gets soft.

I couldn't destroy even the DeSimone T34 I agree it's not perfect but a decent base to make a nice tank with I would scratch build an already damaged hull and turret. You might want to think about cutting up the tank and using styrene for the parts you want to make damaged.

I know you have plenty of talen and I am sure this project will be great when it's done and can't wait to see it finished. Please take some pics and post your progress.

[Germanbilly1]

Here are some pictures on what I have done so far. Removed both the orginal front and rear fenders as they are way to thick. Also the side fenders have been cut down. Cut open the hatches so they work. Installed the turret base to the turret and installed a ring so it rotates. Widened the tracks so they look better, still not the proper width but will stay this way because of cost for right ones. I am using hot glue to bond and plug holes as it is the only thing I have found on these roto mold things that works and does not come loose. Will make the front and rear fenders out of sheet metal and do some clean up. Have not desided on the rear deck as of yet. Still lots of work but is coming along. If you want to move this to the Armor section I thik that is were I should have put it.
GB

[viaad]

Looking good Bill!

[Sixth Vanguard]

Jumpin Jimminee Bill. When I think of all the German hardware you have lined up against this poor old soul I feel so sorry for it

Looks serviceable so far. I am sure it will turn out very nice when you are done shootin it up

[RogueJK]

Wait, wait, wait... So you're going to finish building a T-34, just so you can destroy it? I like the way you think, my good man.

[johnro6659]

I was offered one of those in trade for some work on another vehicle, because I couldn't promise a completion date I passed. As bad as the DeSimone T-34 is I think it has promise in the right hands. Just look what John "Armorguy" has done with rotomolded vehicles. I would have ditched mine if it wasn't for his amazing work on them. The tracks are the biggest problem, now that I have access to some machinery I would have went the extra yard to make the tracks. I am sure I'll find one cheap some where.

Looks like your going to make the tank look pretty good I couldn't build something and then wreck it even if it was was a dio. Can't wait to see it done.

[egonzinc]

Looking good Bill! Withthe front and rear mudguards removed and fenders thinned it looks a lot better.Even as is without any replacement mudguards it looks great...
I put one together, one of my first vehicles and thought it was a lot of work and compared to others I did nothing to it! I still have another one stored. Tried to sell it a couple of times int he past ans had no takers... now I think I'll keep it. Always wanted to do one like the cover of the T-34 Squadron booklet... I will wait a while as I think DML could surprise us with one of these. After the Sherman, who knows...
I think AVES Apoxie would stick to this material as I used plenty of it in the Puma.
Too bad there is no inexpensive track link alternative out there...
As for tools I used a Dremel metal wheel with a material that makes it look like a metal file. I use that wheel for everything. I could never handle the Dremel funky cutting disks, to fragile for me, I'm sure that is ignorance of how to use it, as it must be the most popular Dremel accesory. I also later got the Dremel Multi tool, but that was AFTER the Puma, so I have yet to get it out of the box. I think Tim (Plasticpanzer) had mentioned it was very easy to cut the rotomould stuff with that tool...but if it melts the material it might be tricky.
Looking forward to what you do with this beast!

[Germanbilly1]

Have been building the mud guards for the front and rear. They are removal so I can install bent up ones later. Also have been replacing all the what are suppose to be bolt heads with real ones so they look right and also made the front machine gun. Have made the hoods for the drivers compartment also. Built the fuel drums and installed the hand rails. Coming along very show but starting to look like a T-34. Sure wish I could afford panzerwerk running gear. Will have to see down the road if I can find the money some place.
GB