Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: raafif on August 24, 2025, 07:36:57 AM
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Not a whif but looks very cool none-the-less.
As my D.E.W.E. model https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=11516.0 is going to be a few months waiting for 3D printed parts and other projects are almost finished, I’ve got onto actually assembling my first 3D project.
Step one was gluing three of the basic 3D parts together then checking for square-ness & initial fit. Something wasn’t right so I broke them apart. I then cut the Italeri M-60 upper-hull up to suit & had another go at gluing – this time on a flat surface – not much better. Seems the original files had some issues & I suspect some were from the printing too. After snapping bits off with my bull-nose pliers I got things to fit (cutting with dremel or razor-saw made almost no impression on this hard, brittle, fibrous resin).
Next was more tentative test-fitting to see how the rear armour block fits – I risked gluing it on permanently as it did seem “sort of” OK. A little more hacking of the upper-hull was done but the resin part still needs excess carving away underneath due to a problem with the 3D printing. My guy ran out of black resin & used clear which bubbled & expanded, something that clear 3D resin seems prone to (be warned).
Still another three major parts to check before the new upper superstructure is complete.
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Glad that was only the prototype and not what the IDF actually acquired. That said, it does have a certain appeal to it. :smiley:
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Actually the Nagmachon is a Heavy Armed Patrol vehicle for contested areas, not an APC. Thank goodness they chose to base the proper Nagmachon types on the Centurion chassis which is much more survivable.
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Had a new 3D part cast to replace the clear damaged back block. Broke the old one off damaging the central casting – but that needed modifying anyway. This new one is straight but doesn’t fit so good either – after some carving & shimming I’ve got it as close as anyone can - as mentioned previously the files do have issues (I get the impression that the designer posted his "first try" files & not the fixed ones he used on his own model as that looks very good in his photos).
Started the lower hull, wheels & tracks etc and did some more cutting of the upper hull for an extra part. Fitted the air cleaner boxes ready for a final try fitting the new superstructure.
Final test fitting of the 3D superstructure before I glue it on revealed very poor fit & large gaps. Some ripping off & more cutting then re-gluing again and still quite a bit of tidying up filling of gaps to be done. Will need to cut some side pieces from plasticard to fill voids around the driver’s position.
So far these 3D parts have cost me $125.oo and lots of work. I am NOT impressed – this will be my one & only try at using 3D parts – I’ll stick to resin kits cast in rubber-molds which are easier to build.
The new upper superstructure is now largely complete.
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One could whiff it into a British Heavy APC
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One could whiff it into a British Heavy APC
Hmm, a possible idea - after all I did convert an IDF Achzarit to a Finnish vehicle. How about the British "Vickers Shoveller" - the Eurasian Shoveler is a duck with a very wide bill.
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Where dd you get the STL files? It could be that the designer didn't do a good job designing it for resin printing, or the printer didn't have their printer properly dialed in and the parts properly oriented... or a combination of all of these.
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Very frustrating with the fitting issues but I’m sure you’ll work it out. Upwards and onwards! :smiley:
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Ditto!
If it weren’t for the surface detail you could have built that from sheet plastic.
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Where dd you get the STL files? It could be that the designer didn't do a good job designing it for resin printing, or the printer didn't have their printer properly dialed in and the parts properly oriented... or a combination of all of these.
Frank, I got the files from Cults3D. I'm sure there are some faults with the files re dimensions (especially the back block) but surface quality from the print guy is iffy in places. One side block is printed completely solid & is good but the other, to save resin, was printed hollow - it has ridges on the top surface. The undersides of several blocks are bulged, not flat where the supports joined needing much filing with a Great Bastard file.
I have other files from Cults & files from elsewhere which I would like to get done for my special project but, unless trimmed & printed much better, I'll pass.
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Frank, I got the files from Cults3D. I'm sure there are some faults with the files re dimensions (especially the back block) but surface quality from the print guy is iffy in places. One side block is printed completely solid & is good but the other, to save resin, was printed hollow - it has ridges on the top surface. The undersides of several blocks are bulged, not flat where the supports joined needing much filing with a Great Bastard file.
That all sounds like poor printing orientation, supports and printer settings for the resin. Was the file pre-supported or was this done by the guy who printed them? Making the part hollow will save resin and can increase the success rate of the print, so that's good.
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Ok so far i reckon
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Rustoleum Terra cotta spray paint will simulate the non slip coating on the top of the vehicle.
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Couldn’t stand the twisted stowage boxes at the front of the superstructure so cut them out to mount them directly on the front fenders. So now there’s some more trimming to be done – also the resin around the cuts has split so I have to clamp / superglue putty it too.
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I "think" I've got this part sorted now. Hopefully finishing the lower hull & tracks this weekend.
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:smiley: Looking forward to seeing this one develop. :smiley:
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Looking good :smiley:
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Got the tracks completed (tedious link&length) & the main hulls together – not without some hassles due to Italeri’s too-tight way of sliding the upper hull into the lower and worn out molds. You may notice some Blazer blocks used to fill gaps in the 3D parts due to poor fit. The front section is just sitting there at present as I need to find the right Blazer blocks to cover more big gaps.
I may add more typical IDF parts to represent an operational version.
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"Tedious link-&-length"? Oh, Brother! ;D ;D
Try indy link tracks! :o :-X
Nice work, by the way! :smiley: ;)
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Looks great! Despite the warped print.
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Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!
Israeli desert color should make the painting easier than the assembly. At least that will move things along.
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Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!
Israeli desert color should make the painting easier than the assembly. At least that will move things along.
Thanks, all.
The paint was just as bad. I used to use Humbrol 72 but Humbrol became totally unreliable for colour & consistancy and is no longer available. Went with Revell but the equivalency charts are WRONG an so are other matching references so I had to mix my own, not something I'm good at.
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I don’t get worked up by paint colors. Between factory QC, paint from different manufacturers, paint being applied over possibly different colors and environmental factors it’s nearly impossible to say if something is the “right” color. Carry on and it will look great!
Now paint that is misbehaving is another situation altogether. I know that can drive me crazy. You have my sympathy in that regard.
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G-clamps!!! Now that’s proper heavy engineering - great work and commendable dedication/patience. :icon_alabanza:
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Got the tracks completed (tedious link&length) & the main hulls together – not without some hassles due to Italeri’s too-tight way of sliding the upper hull into the lower and worn out molds. You may notice some Blazer blocks used to fill gaps in the 3D parts due to poor fit. The front section is just sitting there at present as I need to find the right Blazer blocks to cover more big gaps.
I may add more typical IDF parts to represent an operational version.
Speaking of Israeli parts, I don't know how you could fit those "doghouse" devices over the hatches.
I made a silicon mold of some Blazer blocks and used UV resin to make extra ones. It works best if you are careful about not over filling them and set them out on a sunny day to cure. The flashlight works it just takes longer.
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Cockpit section now permanently mounted & gaps hidden with Blazer blocks. Added plastic mine-roller brackets on the lower nose (which didn’t survive the printing process) from M-60 turret-basket parts. The headlights aren’t as sexy as the real vehicle’s but will do. Don't know about the rear-view mirrors - they seem a bit redundant especially as the IDF drivers are excellent at reversing blind. The IDF armoured window-shields won't fit so the crew will have to go without.
Should I add the smoke-launcher boxes or not ?
Have suitable guns (not 30.cals) but will have to make mounts from scratch. Crew will be a mix of Dragon, Academy & Mini-Art figures.
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I would include the smoke launchers. Every pic I’ve seen of Israeli APCs had them.
It’s looking pretty good!
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Calling this finished.
Made the gun mounts & a few other small bits, just a little tidying up to do.
The trailer is an older Italeri kit.
It’s a shame that the IDF chose not to use cam schemes but stick to a single colour as it leads to some bland models. The only colours added are the blue lines on the superstructure which denote a training tank and recently a stencil of the Israeli insignia in blue or black on the rear side of major armoured vehicles.
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Very very nice! You really made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear! The trailer is a nice touch.
That “snout” on the front of the M60 is something I would have never thought of. You’re right about the Israeli armor vehicle colors. Just a little boring. Sort of like US olive drab after a while. Hmmmm…. Maybe some whiffology to be applied to my next possible Israeli project. I do have an Acherzit in the stash.
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No kidding! Awesome result considering the badly warmed superstructure. The two crew members are pretty close - the TC has a helmet but the other guy is just wearing a yarmulke?
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Nice job! Came together well! :smiley: :smiley:
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Beautiful! The end result has definitely been worth all the pain it put you through. :smiley: :-*
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:smiley: