"micro armor tank barrels... super glue?" Topic

I'm just starting to work with GHQ modern micro armor for first time.

The barrels are really thin and seems a bit weak. I'm thinking of putting some superglue on them before priming to make them more strong.

has anyone tried this?

I don't want to replace them with wire b/c the modern tanks have complicated barrels.

much thank

If you are trying to strengthen them I would reccomend epoxy and a toothpick for application. I also would glue the turrets in place and place the model on a base to keep people from handling the barrels.

I use polyurethane gloss varnish on soft plastic rifle barrels,to stiffen them before painting. I wonder if this would work on the soft metal barrels on your tanks?

I have heard of others using the super glue and were happy with results.

The bend easily but I have never had one break so I just even them out by hand each game as needed.

I have second hand GHQ easily 20+ years old and well used. Nary a broke barrel in the lot. A few curvy ones for sure, but that's so they can shoot around corners

Super glue is the way to go, in my experience.

much thanks!

I've heard of plane modelers using super glue to strengthen landing gear.

My micro armor collection includes dozens of tanks that were bought in the mid-1970s, and are still in my active forces today.

I have had some barrel loss, but nothing too severe. I have never used any of the techniques described here (superglue, epoxy, varnish, etc.) to re-enforce the barrels.

I don't base my tanks unless I need a base to attach a trailer (like for Churchill crocodiles, or UE Chenillettes with trailers, etc.). And I don't glue down turrets unless they are very small (for example R35 light tanks or AB-41 armored cars).

I do suggest you find a nice set of flat-head tweezers. This, or smooth grip needle-nose pliers (no tread on the grip) are the best way to straighten the occasional bent barrel. You put the barrel between the two flat surfaces of the head and press gently. Rotate 90 degrees and repeat. You are supporting and flattening, rather than re-bending. It stresses the metal less.

I have had the occasional broken barrel (usually from transportation rather than handling), and I have also bought 2nd hand batches with broken barrels. I have found the best replacement barrels are found by clipping the nylon tag-holders the come on most retail clothing these days. You know that annoying bit of nylon, with a rectangle at one end to hold the price tag on, and a cross-bar at the other that anchors it through the threads of the cloth. Clip and keep these as you buy clothes, and you'll soon have a collection of nylon barrels in various lengths and thicknesses. I have thicknesses ranging from HMGs and antennas to 122mm guns (but no 152/155mm guns -- have to use something else at that thickness). Many times there is a step-down taper, allowing you to replicate compound multi-part barrels. A drop of super-glue gel at the end can form a muzzle break when needed.

You'll never have bent-barrel problems with nylon replacement barrels. Go ahead and bend it … it springs right back to it's original shape. Just be careful not to use a noticeably curved piece to begin with … you'll never get that curve out.

Hope that helps.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)