Lattice Boom Crane Build (Wood)

[Rvjimd]

Got a start on my lattice boom crane. General plan if to make a pivoting crane about the size of my diecast Menck. This will most likely be barge mounted, but probably portable.

The main stringers are 1/8 wood dowel rod with 5/32 lattice.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/8dd5723e7324456435f6b6a71597ffc6_zps292c388c.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/0ab937ba5032ab90be07d69501d60852_zps64ed61a0.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/5c92296474da686c845a5894da02124c_zps93d65132.jpg

Jim

[Rvjimd]

I think I mistakenly put this into the tech section and should have been simply construction equipment...

Jim

[modelman]

Your off to a good start jim-wood is a smart choice to build with. It is easy to work with and is strong if done correctly. I have always used wood to experiment with things I wasn't sure about how they should be built.

[Rvjimd]

Thanks,

My plan is to see how it goes and treat it as a prototype for size, and design. I loosely following the size and design of the Menck. I plan to use a wood base and possibly make a non functioning wood undercarriage. Then set it on a barge or on the unloading dock. I hope to use the clamshell bucket when I get it finished.

Bought a little miter chopper that I'm using to cut the wood parts, it make it pretty easy to cut repeated parts to length and at 90 and 45 degree miters.

Jim

[modelman]

Just a suggestion for under-carriage-plastic turntables start at 3"-dia.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#turntables/=nu1yac
Not sure what your plans are but this could work. I was looking under light duty plastic.

[Rvjimd]

I don't know exactly how i was going to do it, but I do plan on making it pivot.

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Slow going, have to basically glue about two pieces at a time and make sure they harden up before putting on the next one.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/006d1f9f987bd9f2d4a06e6754c630c4_zps70a42783.jpg

Jim

[doodlebug]

Hey Jim, have you seen this bruder excavator swing drive turntable setup?
http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Baumaschinen-u---Teile/
Cheer's, Neil.

[Rvjimd]

Got the main boom all glued up, working on the tip.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/791f06e680821837e7b34b9e5f860a33_zpsf5b63fbb.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/64e366479c19da440fbc9c0fcaedd1b2_zps977fdde4.jpg

If I did the math correct there are 112 parts in just the main boom in the picture.

Jim

[modelman]

Looks good jim-I was going to suggest that you use the kicker spray bottle with the CA to make it instant glue and make the job go a lot faster but looks like it is a bit too late now. Your almost done. Keep us updated.

[Supermario]

Slow going, have to basically glue about two pieces at a time and make sure they harden up before putting on the next one.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/006d1f9f987bd9f2d4a06e6754c630c4_zps70a42783.jpg

Jim

What a true test of patience :eek: this is one thing that can't be rushed. Nice work Jim and keep the pics coming. Ill be watching this one and make sure my bro in law see's it :cool:

Mario

[Rvjimd]

Been working on the crane most of the day. Here it is so far, got a final short solid side tip section to finish, and figure out how and what to make the pulley sheeves from. The 1:50 Menck diecast is sitting behind it in one shot.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/9988652357285e07f7213113c1a137b6_zps2573c4f7.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/8848e099c8e416511dc04c93e04262c0_zps3b8ee638.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/18e467b1ce38a9ec03dc9ec986bfc376_zps043b8cc0.jpg

Got the mount glued onto the base and plan to use 1/8 brass tube for the boom base pivot.

Jim

[Rvjimd]

First pulley sheeve, only about a dozen more to go!

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/151849093ca63d2b8c98647d089d40d8_zpse64c799f.jpg

Here is my lathe, it may look a lot like a drill press if you tile your head as you look at it! :rolleyes:

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/88668b80b553836327586d318f73e71a_zps0cec92c2.jpg

My big problem is still the biggest part the press takes is 1/2". I need about four pulleys of 3/4 or even 7/8"

I went to the new giant farm store AND Menards looking for pulleys or even a lathe and no luck with either, so I went back home and tipped the press on its side.:p


Jim

[Rvjimd]

Here is my first large pulley. I roughed out the wheel on the band saw, drilled a center hole, installed a bolt and chucked it in the lathe, err ah, drill press.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/bca48bec450486635a08814a876bd2f1_zps409b80b6.jpg

Jim

[modelman]

I like your lathe jim :D. Working with what you have is a phrase a lot of people need to learn. Hang in there- you'll get it. Will the entire crane be built from wood?

[Rvjimd]

Tom,

thanks for the encouragment! im planning to put this sucker to work on a barge so im going to use a few pieces of brass tube to bush some of the rotating parts like the tip pulleys just so they wear good.


Finished two pulleys! Ya! I think they will look good turning slow on the tip as the ropes move up and down.

My initial plan was 3/4" at the tip, but these are 1" and I think they will be okay, might look a bit bit but okay, I've seen a few full scale versions with what looks like really big pulleys on the tip.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/163c7714c52ba31257b922587b04fa3b_zps96830682.jpg

[mazdaparts]

Do you have a michaels or hobby lobby close by? They might have pulleys or something you can use in the woodcraft dept. If you can use plastic pulleys the sliding screen door wheels might be about the right size. I know you can get replacement wheels at menards for them.

[Rvjimd]

I did see the screen and shower door rollers yesterday at menards and they were going to be too wide. I think I have looked at michaels but not hobby lobby. Haven't been in there for a while...

Jim

[TRUCKMAKER]

Jim, Have you tried any of the robot building websites? I know they carry small pulleys. I don't have the links with me but if you google robot parts all the online stores come up, shop around you might find some thing you can use. All that said I think that hi-tec lathe your using to make them yourself is probably the best route and more fun!

[Rvjimd]

TM,

ya, I think your right!:rolleyes: I only need to make one more or maybe three small pulleys, so, I'm over the hump.

The big 1" ones had me worried cause I wanted them to look good, but I'm happy with what turned out.

Should start the drums and servo install today!:D

Jim

[Espeefan]

Wow, that boom looks really nice. Patience taken in building it piece by piece sure paid off. Love the lathe, ahem, drill press. Hey, sometimes you have to get creative, and make do with what you have on hand. Great work!

[Rvjimd]

Video of the first boom lift!

http://youtu.be/nNIgltD1WKg

Jim

[modelman]

Looks good jim-this looks big for a 1/50 scale model. Is there a scale for this build?

[Rvjimd]

Tom,

No scale, I just stole a lot of the engineering from the Menck. The boom is 24" and the Menck is 18"

Planning to put it to work on a barge for dredging and unloading sand and coal barges.

Jim

[NYHowie]

Looks great so far. Can't wait to see finished.

[Rvjimd]

Got some more done on the new crane. Pivot servo and a cab and it should be ready for full blown testing. Oh, and I still have to cut down the clamshell a bit.

http://youtu.be/GTUO113rr3c

Jim

[TRUCKMAKER]

Nice! what are you using for cable?

[Rvjimd]

TM,

Cable, very hot topic! I had some old cotton thread. It was a bit to thin to look good, and NOT very water proof or abrasion resistant. So I went to the fabric store and got two types of thread, neither of which are what I wanted.

Cotton embroidery thread looks perfect for size and multi stranded wire rope look, but it is also cotton and won't wear good.

The other stuff I got is nylon coat and button thread. I think it is just a bit to fine and doesn't show up as well as a larger fatter thread does.

So, if you have some ideas, let me hear it...:o

Jim

[TRUCKMAKER]

Not sure what diameter your looking for but here is 1/32 and up wire rope. I would think this would work and look great if you could find the size you want.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-wire-rope/=ny7o6m

[Rvjimd]

TM,

I think actual wire rope is going to be to stiff to wrap and unwrap from the drums properly. I want to find some heavy braided fishing line and see how that looks.

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Got it rigged and hung the clamshell on it, added a pulley for the calming line and off to the pond to find some boulders to UNLOAD!

Really fun to be able to UNLOAD as well as load!

http://youtu.be/dWZLuts7A4M

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Did someone mention feeding the fish from the barge? Here it is!

http://youtu.be/JdipPcwN_n0

Still have some "tuning" on the crane, and finish the cab, and practice with it so it don't look like somebody at the carnival trying to win a stuffed toy!:rolleyes:

And, I need to copy the radio settings to my other transmitter and bind to the boat so I don't have to switch one off just to run the other...

Jim

[TRUCKMAKER]

That was a great video Jim, the crane is working great! Those fish will teach you how to operate it with precision:lol::lol::lol: The way they're moving the barge around :jaw:. Can't wait to see one jump into the barge or come up to the clam:cool:

[Rvjimd]

Ah, you're giving too much credit to the fish...:p. I think a lot of it was me being rough on the pivot control. I noticed that when I watched the video, when I swing to quick, you can see the entire barge move.:rolleyes:

I'm getting a few items tuned up, adjusting the travel and rates on servos and practice, it should get better in a while.

Jim

[Rvjimd]

Got the calming line working nice now. Here are some pictures and video of my setup.

http://youtu.be/awJMB02iTPo

Jim

[Rvjimd]

I'm sure most of you could see this coming, but it hadn't even crossed my mind. I was at the loading dock practicing with the new crane and clamshell. Moving boulders from the dock and hopper barge to a pile at the end of the dock. Then I saw it! The little rubber tire loader sitting there, hey, try and lift that by the cab and put it on the work barge!

Here is the video...

http://youtu.be/LWivEc-_NXw

Jim

[Supermario]

TM,

Cable, very hot topic! I had some old cotton thread. It was a bit to thin to look good, and NOT very water proof or abrasion resistant. So I went to the fabric store and got two types of thread, neither of which are what I wanted.

Cotton embroidery thread looks perfect for size and multi stranded wire rope look, but it is also cotton and won't wear good.

The other stuff I got is nylon coat and button thread. I think it is just a bit to fine and doesn't show up as well as a larger fatter thread does.

So, if you have some ideas, let me hear it...:o

Jim

Hey Jim, just had a crazy thought....What about a couple strands of magnet wire wound together? It may spool up and reel out ok due to weight of bucket and boom? Maybe cook the coating off to improve how well it winds on the drum?
Like I say, crazy thought from out of now where.:rolleyes::p

Great build! Love it!

Mario

[Rvjimd]

Mario,

I have some on hand that I'll take a look at. I got a three pack and the small stuff is really thin! I think it is going to have too much memory and try to stay curved when it comes off the drums.:o

Problem with the clam operation is it is easy and pretty much a given that there is going to be slack line on one of the two main drums some of the time. This causes a lot of issues where the line comes off the tip pulley or the drum. I may add a few more guides like on the calming line pulley. And, I tried my second line, thin nylon, but it is too stiff. The embroidery thread actually worked better because it was very soft and flexible.

Still searching...

Jim

[Supermario]

Ya, I tested some wire after posting and realized nope. Crazy part of the idea was suggesting before testing...lol :o

So here's my REAL crazy idea.
We all know how strong spider silk is correct? You may have heard about this already but scientists have found a way to produce spider silk from a goat's milk! A female goat gets the gene that creates silk in spiders. The off spring of that goat then produces the enzyme which creates silk in it's milk which they extract and use to make super strong silk fibre!:eek:

So, ......looks like you need one of those magic goats! :lol:

Mario

[Rvjimd]

Well,

My neighbors have chickens, I wonder if they make rope for model cranes?

:p

Jim

[Grainfarmer]

Whow! Great job! Works quite well... :)

[grumpygrady]

there is the stranded wire for beading that is small and flexable
let me know if you need a website for it

[Rvjimd]

I'm in Bobcaygeon, ON today and saw a road grader in a antique shop and I got a few pics. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to post them directly from my iPad, but let's see...

[doodlebug]

I'm in Bobcaygeon, ON today and saw a road grader in a antique shop and I got a few pics. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to post them directly from my iPad, but let's see...

Cool!
Cheer's, Neil.

[Espeefan]

Nice. How did something like that end up in an antique shop? Was there a story behind it?

[Rvjimd]

I don't think it was for sale and I suspect it was a local acquaintance. I think the info sheet said he had built a cement truck and a few other construction vehicles.