Thursday, November 14, 2013

Model Engineer 11/2013

Gerard Dean writes: It seemed like a good idea at the time - combine my new found Solidworks 3D cad design skills with a passion for model building to make the iconic slab sided German Tiger Tank. What could be easier than spending a few evenings on the PC, emailing the DXF files of to my friendly laser cutter and awaiting delivery of a flat pack Tiger. The idea was to click the flat pack parts together, touch them with a mig welder and prepare for paint - it was be done by Christmas. That was 2003 and I doubt that Santa Clause will see it fully finished when he pops down the chimney come Christmas 2013. Tiger 141 finally rolled down my driveway under electrical power in 2009. Aside from the clanking tracks that took a year to machine, the sound emanating from her was truly underwhelming. A sound generator was considered for a few seconds, until I pulled out a 25cc OHC four cylinder motor built many years before and left to gather dust.


No comments: