KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 22, 2021 I thought about making one of these covers for a while , so I set about it as I has the spare materials etc to do it . I made paper templates and adapted as I went as I work on the fly as it were . I drew around the 540 mount and thought about installing the item as easily as possible but giving max closure to the gear aperture void and coverage of the gears . Primed then finished in satin black , .5mm plastic-card was used . This what I came up with :- 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juggular 4964 Posted December 22, 2021 Very well done. There used to be lexan one, but nobody sells that anymore. Yours looks better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 22, 2021 Cheers . You can buy the TBG one but I thought it looked flimsy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 23, 2021 Finished and fitted 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 24, 2021 Might have a go at a 380 cover on my Sand Rover 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 26, 2021 I have started on the Sand Rover 380 cover , so we will see how that turns out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted December 27, 2021 That looks fantastic!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simensays 321 Posted December 28, 2021 Looks great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willy iine 18806 Posted December 29, 2021 Nice work @KEV THE REV ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 29, 2021 Started the 380 Sand Rover gear cover 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 29, 2021 Dry fit 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simensays 321 Posted December 30, 2021 It's strange how Tamiya left that gearbox open in the first place?! Nice work, but are you scratch building these, not 3D printing them? I'd be interested in one for my Sand Rover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted December 30, 2021 Thanks for your comments . Yes it's strange it was left open as these were basically off road / sand buggies . The Mardave Marauder is similar with some open gears . I scratch built these from plastic card and they are one offs no 3D . You can still buy TBG covers , but I prefered to build my own. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 3, 2022 More progress 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willy iine 18806 Posted January 3, 2022 Nice work @KEV THE REV!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 3, 2022 Finished and fitted to the 380 Sand Rover 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 6, 2022 Both together for comparison 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willy iine 18806 Posted January 6, 2022 6 hours ago, KEV THE REV said: Both together for comparison Looks factory finish!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Gecko 1344 Posted January 7, 2022 20 hours ago, Willy iine said: Looks factory finish!! Agreed, these are excellent! @KEV THE REV What do you use to bond the plasticard pieces together (glue or plastic-weld?), and is there any bracing required on the inside? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 7, 2022 Hi , thanks for the kind words . I use Tamiya thin liquid cement to bond the card . The inside seams are all bonded with JB cold weld paste , super strong finish . The card needs to be thin at the area between the original shaft hold down piece and the gear edges as there isn't much room , but once all is bonded up it is very strong . I used .5mm card as it curves nicely around the top and clears the gears on the side panel . 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willy iine 18806 Posted January 7, 2022 I too use Tamiya cement (I use the basic orange cap one).. it works real well. Bonds so strong when I pull at the joint to test, usually another part of the styrene gives out first. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 8, 2022 That's right . If you brush the plastic with the liquid glue it will melt the plastic just enough and is controllable . I brush both pieces a few times then press them together and then brush the seems / joints to 'fuse' the plastics together . I use a good sized brush - not the small lid brush provided . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 8, 2022 Thanks for the comments everyone , much appreciated 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willy iine 18806 Posted January 8, 2022 28 minutes ago, KEV THE REV said: Thanks for the comments everyone , much appreciated Keep up the great work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted January 10, 2022 Absolutely fantastic!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites