Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Looking great Jim! I like the progress and constant updates. Keeps the interest up!

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Those pads look great, Jim! Keep it up. You're getting me thinking about finishing out the back half of my 40' container so I can set up a my stuff and get working. Be a great winter project.

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Got four side frame rails made and bolted two of them together. Oh, and if I counted correctly, I got all the pads drilled yesterday. Now all I have left on the pads is riveting the drive dogs into the slots. The pads detail never ends! ;)

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9hbwzuim.jpg

Ya, I need to find some better looking hardware to bolt them together...

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psny1gnxxs.jpg

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

looking good

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Very good Jim, those high production parts sure do get monotonous

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Here is my simple fixture to drill the little sections of channel that get riveted into the pocket in each pad.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psteevemtv.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psq75ua9lt.jpg

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Looking good jim- to me the pads are the most tedious and time consuming job on these types of projects. Once you get those finished you can have some fun milling all the other parts. Are you using a center drill to spot each hole?

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Here is a shot of the micro stop counter sink tool and pneumatic rivet squeezer. I have a bit of aluminum metal work experience and already had these tools, or I would have NOT attempted to do the pads like it did. I countersink the hole in the bottom of the pads to accept the rivet flush.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5sgk2ts5.jpg

The micro stop is fine threaded and allows adjustment so you can get a perfect depth on the countersink to fit the rivet head. I left them a bit high because I didn't want any extra rivet on the inside to get in the way of the tumblers. And, the little channel parts are so small and the hole clearance is way less than it should be so setting the rivet to standards can split or crack the part. I could have used a soft rivet here but had a bunch of standard.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psh32ogsxb.jpg

Here is the rivet squeezer, really handy of you have a lot of rivets to squeeze.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pstf8rgak1.jpg

Closeup of the dirt side of one of the pads with the rivet set.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psnysnkqkx.jpg

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Nice work jim-it's good to have the tools you need.

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Parting off one of the spacers for the pairs of side frame rails.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psthvkijgp.jpg


I changed my side rail design a bit, should have one set finished tonight...:rolleyes:

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Got enough finished to do a first check of the "scale" of my undercarriage to the crane.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psntl794vd.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psceossdon.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pswt9tuarr.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pstrpkkksy.jpg


Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Just about ready to take a walk

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Your scale looks good to me jim. Are you happy with it? I like the new frame rails you made. Adds strength, which you probably don't need but it helps the appearance. Are you about ready to make a tumbler and see if this works? Keep cranking on those handles. :D

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Thanks Tom! Ya I am pretty happy with it. I did the side over just for a better appearance. I have a hard time visualizing stuff like this so I always end up making something to see how it looks and then usually make one or two more until I am happy with it.

I am hesitating on the tumblers only because I don't want to take the vice off to put the rotary table on and then I know I will be going back to the vice. It really isn't a big deal, but I am trying to do as much as I can before the switch over.

Decided to put a .050" groove in the bottom of the rails to "hold" the lower rollers.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psqux9jdks.jpg

Thanks to ALL for watching! :D

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

I know exactly what you mean about changing set-ups. When I got my 2-in-1 machine several people told me I would regret it but the price was just too good to pass up. However, I thought about what I was told every time I was turning something and needed the mill for 1-simple cut and had to change over again and again. Oh well, live and learn.

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

More progress shots! Decided to leave the lower roller shafts round and make little clamps for each end. Will attach them with 2-56 cap screws. Made a little die to form the strap clamps. Turned the 3/16" steel rod down to fit a 3/16" brass bushing to go inside the rollers.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd2nvq4d.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psuoran3um.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psrxzljvo4.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1aksaxrf.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psxxgz73ay.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psipr5s3hq.jpg

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Looks like that undercarriage will fit real nice underneath the house, Jim. On those rollers, you might want to bevel the edges that will run between the lugs on the track. That way the roller won't be able to catch the edge of the lug, ride up on it and throw the track off.

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Jared,

Good idea on the roller profile. I need to make all of them, the one in the photo is a prototype. I will put a nice big angle on the corner of them.

QUESTION: How tight should the rollers and tumblers fit between the dog ears on the pads? Not sure if they should be close or real sloppy narrow?

Jim

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Very cool! I have always wondered if someone was ever going to build an older track style like this, and it looks like you're knocking it out of the park..

Re: Dragline Crawler Build
 

Looking good jim-that is a nice beefy press you made. I agree with jared on the rollers, just a slight chamfer on the edges should help. I say you need some clearance between tumblers, rollers, etc.. This allows for dirt not jamming the parts. 9W may know something about this.