FineScale Modeler – October 2019

28 FineScale Modeler October 2019

21

18

20

15

On the return-roller rails, I relieved parts C24, C25, D24, and D25 of their
spring mounts. Nuts and washers inside were moved to the outside as
needed. Missing nuts and washers were scratchbuilt with styrene rod.

I corrected the idler mounts (A6) by trimming

the tensioning forks after gluing them in place.

Use parts C1 and D1 to aid alignment.

I also used the compass dividers to mark the
location of rivets around the rim of the idlers.

19

16

14

Referring to photos, I made tensioners using

styrene rod and strip. Thin armature wire from

an electric motor represents screw threads.

This disc’s outer ring will be the reinforcement

on the inside face. The compass point dimpled

the plastic enough to create the rivets.

Using compass dividers, it was a simple matter to find the diameter of the wheel web and rim re-enforcement and transfer them to sheet styrene so
they could be cut out.

Squared off:

A B C

D

E

Extended

Trimmed

17

The return rollers front pedestals were rearranged. Except for the rollers,

common to both, the dashed line is the FT, solid the M1917. The spring

moves forward and the pedestal narrows from front to back.

Here’s how I made the idler wheel axles. I cut off the nut (A) from the trimmed mount (A6). I
carefully drilled (C) through the mount to accept axle (B), which passes through the idler (D) and
into a styrene-tube washer (E) that was fitted over the mounting pin on the other mount.