Minor Model Workable Leaf Springs - Add Some Bounce To Your Build

[SfanGoch]

A Spanish AM company, Minor Model, produces some really detailed AM photoetch products, mainly catering to the military modelling market. Some of the more innovative offerings are sets of workable leaf springs in 1/35 and 1/24 for a variety of wheeled vehicles. One of these is VMD24000, Workable leaf springs for WWII 1/4 ton 4x4 truck         . The set allows one to assemble complete front and rear leaf springs, with all of the required mounting hardware for the Italeri and Hasegawa 1/24 Willys MB. Looking at the assemblies, I believe that with a bit of tweaking, this set could be adapted to fit just about any 1/24 or 1/25 car with leaf spring suspension. Not bad for around 11 bucks. I know that there is a tutorial here on how to make your own; but, this set would save a lot of time.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Good to know. $11 seems fine to me for all the work saved.

[detailstymied]

the last time i priced  the Italeri and Hasegawa 1/24 Willys MB, the kits were outrageously expensive. if someone knows a source for under 50$, please post!

 

then i'll get the suspension kit.

[SfanGoch]

O.K., here is a source for less than $50. Have you finished ordering yet?  

As I mentioned before, these springs should be adaptable for just about any 1/24 or 1/25 car. I test fit them on a Revell '69 Dodge Dart GTS rear end and they fit nicely on the chassis.

Here's another source. Ain't hard to find if you look.

 

Edited August 9, 2015 by SfanGoch

[detailstymied]

nice attitude; you can be my new hero.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Pretty cool spring kit. Here's a direct link to the instruction sheet. Wow. I want some.

...Problem with the link. Let me see here...

Hmmm. Can't get the right link to copy. Odd. Anyway, click on the link in Joe's post, scroll down the page 'til you see "instructions" and click on that. Opens a page with a blowup of the spring kit. Impressive.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[SfanGoch]

nice attitude; you can be my new hero.

 You did ask the following:

"if someone knows a source for under 50$, please post!"

I obliged you by posting two links for the kit available for under $50, right?  What's the beef then? We're not thin-skinned four year olds who can't take a bit of good natured ribbing, are we?

[Casey]

I test fit them on a Revell '69 Dodge Dart GTS rear end and they fit nicely on the chassis.

Are they adjustable as far as leaf-to-leaf position is concerned? Since Mopar rear springs have different front and rear segment lengths, you'd need to have the center spring bolt holes not already drilled (if this is a truly "universal" type leaf spring set, that may not even be an issue), but I don't see any images of the bare product itself, only the assembled version (mostly) hidden by the tires, axle assemblies, etc.

[SfanGoch]

The holes are center drilled. This isn't a "universal" type set. It's specifically designed for the two jeeps I mentioned. If you know the lengths of the individual leaves, I don't see any problem in trimming from either end in order to replicate the correct segment lengths on Mopars or any other leaf suspension. Once trimmed, you attach the bands to secure the leaves as is done on 1:1 springs. The parts are .25mm thick and are easy to trim.

Edited August 10, 2015 by SfanGoch

[mikemodeler]

Those are nice, noticed the ones for the Land Rover as well. Any idea if someone is selling these in the US?

[SfanGoch]

Unfortunately, there aren't any U.S. shops carrying the line. I ordered direct from Minor. It was shipped on July 31 and in my paws on August 5.

[1930fordpickup]

Unfortunately, there aren't any U.S. shops carrying the line. I ordered direct from Minor. It was shipped on July 31 and in my paws on August 5.

That is fast shipping over the pond. Is the shipping reasonable? 

The product looks nice. 

[Casey]

The holes are center drilled. This isn't a "universal" type set. It's specifically designed for the two jeeps I mentioned. If you know the lengths of the individual leaves, I don't see any problem in trimming from either end in order to replicate the correct segment lengths on Mopars or any other leaf suspension.  

OK, that was my question/concern. Since most vehicles use a "balanced" type leaf spring, it won't be an issue for most, but since you mentioned having test fit them on a Mopar, I was curious. At least now we know they won't work for that application unless there is extra length designed into each leaf. I'm guessing they are cut to a specific length to fit the Jeep applications, which, IIRC, use some very short leaf springs.

[SfanGoch]

Point taken. I remeasured the Minor leaf length against the Revell Dart kit part - the kit part is 11mm longer. Oh well, scratch Mopars. I'll have to check it against other suspensions. Too bad. The set is really nice and no one else markets this type of accessory. I'll have to write the owner and ask him if he would be interested in producing generic sets with longer leaves for 1/24/125 cars. It can't hurt to ask.

@ Andy: shipping is around $5.50 USD, free on orders of 50 Euro +.

[Ace-Garageguy]

From looking at the instructions, it appears to me the spring eyes have to be rolled into the primary spring leaves by the builder...so what's to prevent a reasonably competent modeler from simply making new, longer primary leaves out of brass strip stock to get the length required, maybe making a second leaf too if necessary, and using the rest of the kit as is?

[SfanGoch]

You're correct, Bill. All of the other hardware can still be used even with modified leaves. The spring eyes are to be rolled by the builder. All you'd need is some 2 x .25mm (.08 x .01 inch) brass strip to make new leaves. It's thin enough to be rolled without annealing. Here's a tip: use a piece of 1/32" rod or tubing to form the eye around. You can use the same sized rod/tubing to make the shackles, U-bolts and attaching the assemblies to the spring mounts. Just heat the rod/tubing enough to anneal it so it can be bent without breaking when making U-bolts and shackles. I used .8 x 6mm (1/32 x 1/4 in.) brass round head rivets to assemble the leaves. I filed the heads flat; then I slid them into the PE nuts and soldered them. I slid the rivet/nut assembly through the leaves, from the top, clamped the leaves flat and soldered another PE nut at the bottom, then trimming the rivet end. The result is a nice, tight assembly. To adjust the spring contour, just bend the assembled spring to the desired shape. If you attache the bands correctly, the leaves will slide laterally along each other. Pretty cool and highly realistic, I have to say.

 

Edited August 12, 2015 by SfanGoch

[lvfd221]

Has anyone ordered from Hobby link international? They have these and I'd like to try them. 

 

Thanks