Hobby design vs. Top Studio chain sets

[JimboCO]

I am considering trying one of the "assemble-able" chain sets from either Top Studio or Hobby Design for 1/12 bikes. Does anyone have experience with these sets and might care to comment on quality, ease of use, etc? Any information either good or bad would be useful.

Thanks!

Jim

[MidMazar]

I would also like to know which one people prefer.

[joeyko2000]

Hi Bro~

I have made a couple of TS chains before. The assembly of the chain itself was so much fun and when you get a nice touch for the assembly, it become a very easy job afterall!
I didn't try HD chain before. But as a general impression after doing the 2 chains, the quality of the assembly tool, in terms of hardness and strength against the hammering action, is critical! If the PE backing is easy to be bended, the chain will not be as smooth as it is supposed to be.

I have a couple of shots here is my previous progress:
http://www.joeyko.com/diary/rossi_m1_sepang2004.htm

I think the best is to compare the quality of the PE tooling between the brands. If you have a chance to pick up the real stuffs on hand and check out their respective quality, you will know which one you should go for. In my case, I opt for TS as it was the original idea for the way the assembly works.

Moreover, be aware the MFH also released a workable chane too!
But the assmebly is quiet different from either TS or HD chain sets.

Hope this help!

Joey

[joeyko2000]

I've got some of the pics for my first TS chain. This is for RC211V.

[JimboCO]

Hey Joey!

Thanks for your comments and super nice pictures. Very helpful.

Jim

[KevHw]

Hello, I'm very much interested too, I've only built one MFH chain set but am looking into higher end sets. Joeyko2000, your website has great pics and descriptions! Don't know if you've seen this yet or not, Jimbo, but check this link too: http://www.macsmodeling.com/New%20P%20Chains.htm

From what I've seen, MFH are good for people on a budget but require a lot of cleaning up of the parts to achieve on par results.

Hobby Design is a slightly cheaper and apparantly easier to build version of Top Studio. But then Top Studio offer the most realistic finish in my opinion. I'm still undecided though...

[joeyko2000]

Oh, another sharing on the building process for TS chain is that, the length of the chain has to be matched with the real chassis setting. The instructions suggest the chain is about 15cm long as a whole. But you know, the RCV and M1 are actually in 2 different designs. So actually you really need to test fit on how many pieces are perfect for a specific ride. In my case, the Sepang Test M1, I think I ended up 2 pieces too long for the chain. But it is just somehow difficult for me to remove the 2 pieces out of it at the moment I put it on.

As I have also been doing some AFV models, I was thinking the 2 pieces long won't matter much and just let it like a dropping position for the chain relaxed. But IT IS NOT THE CASE! For a AFV track, people always has relaxed tracks which make it a more realistic look. But on a bike, it has to be fitting pretty exact so the wheel can really turn without problem. To be honest, my M1 doesn't / couldn't turn in 360 degree at all~ (sign)

Also, I have made a really stupid mistake on the RCV chain. As you may just aware I have complete the ring for the chain. So how am I going to fit the chain into the bike? Huh? I will have to break it up again and replace the pits and PE and assemble it back as a ring.... So this is the super stupid mistake I have made on my first chain~ haha~

Joey

[geronimo77]

I have both HD and TS chain set, but did not build any of them yet. But for first sight i would prefer HD. I say this only based on the comparison between the assembly method. I'm not sure if this hammering could work nicely and evenly in every piece of chain with TS. And as i saw HD chain you only have to assemble the microscopic rivets
But people who built it can still convince me that it works - i still need to buy more chains but not decided yet from which brand.

[JimboCO]

Originally Posted by KevHw

Hello, I'm very much interested too, I've only built one MFH chain set but am looking into higher end sets. Joeyko2000, your website has great pics and descriptions! Don't know if you've seen this yet or not, Jimbo, but check this link too: http://www.macsmodeling.com/New%20P%20Chains.htm

From what I've seen, MFH are good for people on a budget but require a lot of cleaning up of the parts to achieve on par results.

Hobby Design is a slightly cheaper and apparantly easier to build version of Top Studio. But then Top Studio offer the most realistic finish in my opinion. I'm still undecided though...

Thanks for the link to Mac's description of the chains. I hadn't seen that. I have the MFH chain and you are right; getting the plastic pins cleaned up and ends melted consitantly makes it hard to get the entire length built clean.

[joeyko2000]

Originally Posted by KevHw

Hello, I'm very much interested too, I've only built one MFH chain set but am looking into higher end sets. Joeyko2000, your website has great pics and descriptions! Don't know if you've seen this yet or not, Jimbo, but check this link too: http://www.macsmodeling.com/New%20P%20Chains.htm

From what I've seen, MFH are good for people on a budget but require a lot of cleaning up of the parts to achieve on par results.

Hobby Design is a slightly cheaper and apparantly easier to build version of Top Studio. But then Top Studio offer the most realistic finish in my opinion. I'm still undecided though...

Thanks bro~!
The URL is great summary for the WIP pic from the officials!
I guess I will be trying out one of those HD sets soon! LOL~
But first I have to figure out whihc ride is to be built...

[ketje]

I'm using the TS chain right now. I find it hard to built but with a great result. I'm also having the HB chainset, but never used it. I've read somewhere that the chain is much to short to use. Does anyone have experience with this problem?

[JimboCO]

Originally Posted by cyberfriend

You could get some leather saddle bags like the ones in this link. But can you use cow skin leather, or must you some other kind?

No. It's got to be cow skin leather.

Back to subject on hand... I bought both HD and TS chains. One thing that would be nice is if they used MFH "no PE trim" design. It's going to be a pain to snip all the links and clean them up. With MFH you can just bend/slough them off.