![[Tiger 321]](321_1.gif)
| Building the Tracks (Pack 21) | |
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Pile of aluminum tracks, totaling almost 210. |
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The
aluminum casting had a flaw that prevented the drive sprocket from
seating correctly. Using a Dremel tool and/or a file, remove the 'step'
and file it down to give a smooth curve. Hopefully Armortek will correct
this for future kits. |
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Each track is different in very small ways. The casting line than runs around each track can interfere with the assembly. Add to that the misalignment of the holes for the pins and you have a lot of filing to do. Before assembly, take a track pin and see if it fits all the holes in the track. A file used to sharpen chainsaw's was perfect for cleaning out and realigning the holes. Small flat files are great for cleaning up the casting lines. < |
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During some downtime while on vacation at Wildwood, New Jersey, I
worked on filing the tracks. (October 14, 2003) |
| The following shows my technique for pushing the clips on the track pins. The examples show unpainted track, you may want to paint/stain the tracks before assembly. | |
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To keep the head of the pin seated in the recess at one end of the
track, insert a M4 cap head screw into a block of wood. |
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File away any casting flash that may prevent the clip from seating
against the track. Cut a piece of wood to fit between the tracks.
Drill a small hole just big enough for the pin end. Take a clip and
tap it into the wood, centering it over the hole. This ring will help
hold other clips in the wood. |
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Holding the track on end, place the head of the pin on top of the
M4 screw, line up the clip over the pin and tap on the wood until
the clip is seated. |
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Here the clip has been seated. Only 191 pins to go. Notice how the
track has been filed for the clip to sit flat. |
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