Just wondering , so many brands out there , some in business, out of business, just starting , whats your thoughts?
2 Likes
For me fruils but I very rarely use them because of cost,I mostly use what come with the kits,Dragon Magic Tracks, Meng Tracks.
If I can’t use the kit’s tracks,I’ll will search around for a bargain on what I can.One company that I have been using a lot lately are tge click able ones from Quick Wheels.
2 Likes
Quick Wheels and DN Studio, both 3D printed and very good.
3 Likes
Fruil for me too when i can find them cheap.
I have been moving towards and trying track files from different people on Cults 3D that i can print in resin. Buy once and you have them indefinately and you can scale them up and down.
2 Likes
While I cringe at the price, I’m now a fan of Friulmodel metal tracks. Some prep is required (file and a pin vise/drill) but I’m all about that “sag” of the metal tracks. LOL
I’ve tried several of the 3D printed options and unfortunately my beef-hands, even with tweezers and a light touch, keep wrecking the fragile plastic.
3 Likes
Quicktracks , RFM tracks too
3 Likes
With the advancement in kit tracks in the last few years I find less urge to replace them but I am in agreement with almost everyone else’s choices. Friulmodel would be my first choice mainly because of how well they hang in situations where track sag is necessary and they are almost indestructible. But cost is very problematic for them. Quicktracks are definitely my current go to. Fairly affordable, easy to assemble and also pretty durable.
3 Likes
In my experience, tracks from Chinese brands (on AliExpress) are much better than those from Friulmodel, since apart from being made of metal, they also come with a pin i’m sharing the link: https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004837127633.html?pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000030680585411%22%7D&sourceType=1&spm=a2g0o.wish-manage-home.0.0&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp
3 Likes
Friul tracks are not quite as detailed as some of the plastic or resin tracks. However they are more durable and the weight is an advantage. In the last few years I have had to drill out the fruil track to prevent pin fitment issues. I find it sometimes hard to find/get the aftermarket track I want so the kit track is the option I am frequently left with. I usually cringe if there is much clean up needed on either aftermarket or kit track. It is the least favorite part of the build. I prefer track that snaps together but yet is durable.
3 Likes
I’ve been buying a lot of R-Model and San-Zhin (?) off eBay lately. Most are cleanly cast, well detailed and come with pre-cut pins.
Prices are reasonable.
Also, SSModel (eBay too) are marketing a line of 3D printed tracks that are very nice, assemble quickly and are around $20 per set, shipping usually <$10. If you can handle the orange resin, they’re great.
3 Likes
THe pinned ones -yes. But the old ones, such as for the T-34 series, used a "squash’ method around pins cast into every other link. There was a jig for them to lay the lnks into as you squashed them. They were a nightmare to keep together. I actually found that cheap (the whole kit cost $5) Maquette tracks were far easier to work with - cement them together, bent to desired shape, with sag, and hit with liquid cement a final time.
4 Likes
I wonder how a set of vinyl indi track would work? Not the softer rubber band type but a harder version. Just a little flexible.
1 Like
It’s been done. The old 1/25 Bandai M60A1 for instance.
1 Like
I remember, if I am not brain fogged that they were on large scale vehicles. Maybe 1/25th?
1 Like
I think, could be wrong, that Tamiyas 1/25 Centurion had some kind of almost hard track links.
I still haven’t cleaned up the moulding flash on those links …
1 Like
Tamiya 1/25 Centurion tracks seemed almost like ABS - somewhat flexible.
Bandai 1/25 M60A1 were similar, but closer to a much harder vinyl. I know they were not plastic because I sanded the rubber pad detail off of every sinlge one and replaced it - it was not easy either.
Edited to correct horrible spelling.
3 Likes
It would seem that the time for that to return may be here.
2 Likes