Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

A lil more progress was made on the skidsteer, before it came to a screeching halt! :(I just knew this project was progressing too smoothly. One of the Servo horns I received has NO splines on it. They drilled it, instead of placing splines in it. :(

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4538/...979c85f9_c.jpgunnamed (75) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

At least one side is finished! :D
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4557/...1b89ea53_c.jpgunnamed (74) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

The servos fit so close in this project, I had to use some Polish ingenuity to make them fit. On one of the bolts, the nut is resting atop the nut of the other servo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4563/...e3534109_c.jpgunnamed (73) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

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Since I'm NOT sure if the video from Flicker works here, I'll link to the Youtube video of them.
Testing the bucket curl
https://youtu.be/WlRAZTQLdU0

Testing the drive train......well, the one side that I was able to finish.
https://youtu.be/vfCVtoQJmNc

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

If I were to re-do this skidsteer project, I would space the wheels apart 10(ISH)mm more. that would allow a little more room for strength where the center servo bolts go through! It would also make it so that the bolts wouldn't have their nuts stacked atop each other, thus achieving a better hold to the model.

Additionally, I WOULDN'T epoxy the wire for the bucket curl into the boom arm as I did. I forgot just how heavy that stuff was. It adds up FAST. IDK (I DON'T Know) how much weight this thang will be capable of handling once I get er did.

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On mounting the drive servos, maybe make an inboard sandwich plate that lets you clamp plastic body between aluminum sheets, and also wraps around the servo bodies (square holes they slide into) with the center mount holes tapped instead of using nuts?

Also for visable wire management, i like to clear tape over wires on the hidden side of the part.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I would much rather had the Aluminum plate, or other structural addative(s) on the inside, but there wasn't room. The micro servo's are a=right against the floor board of the model.

Remember this? :thinking:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/...e41abd9f_c.jpgunnamed (9) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Well, it now looks like this! :cop:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/...bae44aef_c.jpgunnamed (76) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
SOMEETIMES it pays to be a serial builder. I robbed it from that drive sprocket, & re-purposed it to the Bruder skidsteer conversion. Although it is a different thickness that the others, I was able to use shims to make them the same thickness.

Now I've got this.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/...9764b4ca_c.jpgunnamed (77) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I didn't get any farther tonight. It's getting late & it's dinner time.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Nice repurpose! Looks good

Ok then how about just making an inside plate wrap the servos on sides and bottom? tap mount holes, then throw in a couple more random screws to tie both plates to the body.

It'll hurt the ground clearance a touch, but i think the extra strength and low cg would still be a positive

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

That's not a bad idea, Frizzen. IF I already had my new computer & was able to do CAD stuff, I'd be trying to do CAD one up right now. The servo's can use all the help they can to be sturdy(fied) in there. Once the new computer is acquired, I WILL be initiating your idea for that.

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Now it's just a waiting game. I've ordered the Sabertooth 2X5 from www.robotshop.com that will run the drive train, AND one that will for a future project. Since they didn't make it before the holiday, I'm not expecting them until next week some time. Guess I'll have to leave this one sitting for a bit, & dive into a different project tomorrow to keep my mind occupied.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

The LHS (Left Hand SIDE) wheels for the Ertl skidder conversion JUST came outta the printer. A 33 hour printing marathon it was.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/...83ba6c43_c.jpgunnamed (78) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I had the shop foreman looking at the front loader tonight, preparing to fab the new bucket for it. He said he hired on here to turn wrenches, not to burn metal. I told him that as the HMFIC (Head MF In Charge) of the maintenance division, he'll do ANYTHING in the shop that I want him to do, even if it's as simple as pushing a broom, or as complicated as fabricating from scratch a new loader.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4542/...3bdf781f_c.jpgunnamed (79) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I like CAD, but run the old version... Cardboard Aided Drafting.

33hrs is an impressive print. any grip or does it get coated with something?

Might want to hire it out to a real welder, your shop lead is just gonna booger-weld it up and fail. Then tell him to go hire a Safety Guy to chew him out for how the loader bucket's supported. Need some wood cribbing in there, or he'll need the cast and bandage set.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

For now, I'll just be running the tires as is, made from PLA. Possibly in the future, i might could add something to them to make grip more gooder.

Yeah, I'm sure this project may hire out. I think I know someone that once upon a time has made these buckets :thinking: I think his name was RCP57.

Frizz, there's NOTHING wrong with CAD, I still use it a LOT around here. Speaking of which, I think it's time to swing by office depot, & acquire some more manila file folders!

Here's wishing everybody a HAPPY Thanksgiving! Hope you all have a great holiday, & can enjoy time with friends & family, while sharing good food.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Well, we did it, I bought my FIRST piece of HYDRAULIC equipment. :bounce::bounce: I got this one \/

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/...080043a4_c.jpgunnamed (81) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I'd LOVE to have made the MOSTLY 3D printes, & a little bit of CNC excavator, like Stein did, but I DON'T have access to a CNC machine! Without access to one, I decided I'd just bite the bullet & buy one during RC4WD Black Friday SALE! I feel I got a decent deal out of it. The machine, battery, extra hyd hose, plus S+H was $1644.27! By far the MOST expensive RC I've ever bought, but I feel it'll be $$ well spent.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Tonight, after everybody had left to return to their homes, I started a new project. The Bruder Delta Loader. This d@m thing was by far the WORST Bruder toy to dismantle! I thought the disassembly would be the WORST part of this build! :cop: WRONG was I! There's like ZEREO room in this thing. I think it'll sit in pieces on the shelf for a bit, whilst I ponder it over a tad. Who knows, I my just slap it back together, & give the d@m thing to one of the nephews.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4582/...0b8cf3ee_b.jpgunnamed (80) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4582/...0b8cf3ee_c.jpgunnamed (80) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

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Today in the mail was my batteries. The SLOW boat from China FINALLY arrived with my 2/3A 1600MAH batteries. I sat down & did what any RC enthusiast would have done, & made them into the battery pack I wanted!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/...0ba381b8_c.jpgunnamed (82) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Here's a comparison pic showing the size difference between the 2/3AA 600MAH pack, & the 2/3A 1600MAH packs.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4521/...4ffa0e4c_c.jpgunnamed (83) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
There isn't much differnce in the amount of room that they need to have inside the model. There IS, however a HUGE difference in the amount of time I can run the Bruder D5 before a battery swap is necessary. Now I just need to get the tiny hardware sourced, & bolt the brass wear plate onto the dozer blade. I'll also be adding some more weight into the model. Since I'm running low on room inside it, I'll be adding that weight the inside of the track bodies.

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I had a video to upload of it pushing gravels in the driveway today. At 56 seconds long, it's too long to email from my phone to myself. IDK any other way to get it from the phone into my computer to upload it here.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Knowing that the dozer needed more weight added to it, I undertook that task tonight. I added approximately 3/4 of a pound to it tonight. The process I undertook I call the Skeeter special. Cut lead to fit where it's going, mix epoxy, & enshrine the lead in an epoxy coat to eliminate lead exposure(s).
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/...41a74d28_c.jpgunnamed (83) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4530/...0ea1101f_c.jpgunnamed (84) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I sure hope this will be enough weight for it, as it's getting hard to find places to sneak more lead into

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/...80d05388_c.jpgunnamed (85) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

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The video I was trying to post earlier. I called my brother, he's the smart one with computers. When I told him the problem he started laughing hysterically. He then told me I was a dumb@ss, & inquired why I didn't just upload the video DIRECTLY yo Youtube from the phone. He thought it was super funny that I had been Emailing the vids to myself, then uploading them to Youtube from the computer. I told him that NOT EVERYONE is as computer smart as him. without further adieu, here's the vid. Like I said before, it DON'T push well, as I HAVEN'T yet installed the metal wear plate on the blade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YChiFPc-yEE

The New BIGGER batteries made a HUGE difference in this thing. I forgot to time them, but I'm sure I can live with these batteries.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Glad the real batteries finally showed up.

Looks like it pushes pretty well. Do you know anybody who reloads for shotgun, or is into muzzleloading shotguns? Lead shot can pack weird areas much easier than rod.
Also once you run out of lead hiding places, think about brass plates glued to flat surfaces.
--

Put away the servos, The delta loader conversions seem to all use the dual-output tamiya gearbox that use the 280-ish motors.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I LOVE the idea for the plates. If/when I run out of room, & need to pack more, I'll be employing that method!

Unfortunately, I do not know anyone that reloads. I do, however know of an outdoors store near me, that has said re-loading supplies. Perhaps Monday I'll head there & see if I can acquire some of them lead BB's. I've got the copper BB gun type BB's but I don't think they are as dense as the lead ones are.

No more Tamiya gearbox's here! I still have 3 in the parts bin. I don't like how fast they break. :( I've ordered a couple motors from the interwebs, as the servo idea WON'T be an option on the Delta loader. Found these on Evilbay, & decided I'll try to fit them in it. SOMEWHERE?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-3-6v-Gea...72.m2749.l2649
IDK if they will fit in it, or not, or how well. Once that SLOW boat from China carrying them arrives me, I'll find out if they will work.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Today, I lost a dear friend. A friend that's been there for me through thick, AND thin. A friend like no other. We thought you were a goner before, but you pulled yourself together, & soldiered on.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/...263cc754_c.jpg20171125_145000 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Today when your tails shaft disintegrated, I knew it was the end. Rest In Pieces my friend, you'll truely be missed by me!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4529/...0dc44726_c.jpg20171125_144943 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Today at 3:15Pm, while I was attempting to craft a part for the Bruder skidsteer conversion my lil buddy, the flex shaft for my immitation dremel tool had the BIG one. The shaft that goes into the colette snapped off. It was a good run of 2+years. I suppose it is time to close this chapter, & start anew with a Dremel tool, The REAL brand name one!

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Congrats on your new purchase :cool: You got a good deal. Check out DiggingWithMartin on youtube. He’s had his 4200 for a couple years now and know’s everything there is to know about these excavators. In the future if you ever want to upgrade the track motors take a look at Soyland Industries (Rimrock) on here.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Alas, poor flex-shaft, taken before its time. Hopefully you new fast-tool replacement lasts longer.

Hey what kinda height, width, and length do you have on that Fire Ladder? Not counting the search light, since i'd knock that off first thing. Uh, for research purposes...

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I'lll have to take some measurements of the ladder, tomorrow fir ya.

HOPEFULLY Santa got the hint, & will be placing a new Dremel tool under the tree for me :popcorn: :bounce:

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I feel after searching around for a LONG time, that I got a good deal price wise. I just hope it's a good deal in the long run. Meaning I hope it holds up well!

Thanks fir the info, I'll check those 2 out.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Today I made a lil more progress on the Bruder Skidsteer conversion. :) I fabbed an aluminum box to hold my Savox servo that I want to use for the boom lift. Since I had to cut the mounting tabs off to make it fit inside the model, I had to get creative with how to mount the servo. Then I used some old Traxxas parts to make a connecting rod for it. The servo horn (You guessed it) it's left over Traxxas too. A while back I'd ordered a beacon light for a different project. That light DIDN'T work well scale wise for that project, & sat in the parts bin for a lengthy period of time. Today it gained a purpose in life! :D

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/...354c414a_c.jpg20171125_152912 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4563/...ec80a4c7_c.jpg20171125_152925 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/...99971d65_c.jpgunnamed (86) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/...4bcb694e_c.jpgunnamed (87) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4575/...73a017f0_c.jpgunnamed (88) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Now lets test things out!

Testing the programmable beacon lamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EuY1RwZ4qA

Testing the boom lift
https://youtu.be/toAzzow-0nc

Um,....yeah, there's a problem here! I knew I SHOULD have tested that Savox servo PRIOR to installing it in the model! It glitches REALLY bad. Reminds me why I pulled it from the crawler to begin with! Well.............I guess tomorrow can be spent undoing what I did today, so I can change that servo to a different one. HOPEFULLY that one DOESN'T glitch like this one does! I think I will test it BEFORE installation :D

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Since our little case dozer at the house is dead, we rented a D4 to finish up a lil work. I snapped some pics of the Bruder conversion with it's 1:1 likeness. After seeing the Bruder perched upon the Cat D4, I am more sure than ever that the Bruder is modeled after the D4! You take a look at pics, & decide fir yourself.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/...875d1fcf_c.jpg20171125_125535 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/...e9a6f930_c.jpg20171125_125334 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4527/...602590cd_c.jpg20171125_125517 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/...62e87b53_c.jpg20171125_125250 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

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Well...................poop! I just it ate at me WHY would I put a servo into the misc parts bin, if it wasn't any good. I just had to do something about it, so I went out tested OVER a dozen servo's with the servo tester. ALL of them glitched. EVEN the brand new hitech micro servo that I just got. I think my servo tester is boogered up! Tomorrow, I'll have to make a trip to the LHS, & see if I can acquire a new servo tester, as well as a new servo. I just want to make sure that when I return home with the new tester, IF in the event all them servo's went bad (I CAN'T imagine why they would) that I have a brand new one that I can place into the skidsteer to get 'er working...........WELL, as working as can be, until the Sabertooth 2X5 gets here to make the wheels drive.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Hi Skeeter

It all looking good congratulations on your excavator purchase.
Will be looking forwards to seeing it and the skid steer in action soon.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Thank-you, sir! IDK if the excavator will be used until the weather dries things out a bit. It's too wet here now. I have rocky ground, but it got clay like properties to it, if that makes any sense.

HOPEFULLY tomorrow, or day after at the latest, the Sabertooth will be in my hot lil hand. Soon as that thing gets here, Skidsteer will be running.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Frizz, the firetruck is 26 inches long from bumper to bumper. From the ground to the tallest part of the truck with the ladder stored for transit is 8.25 inches tall. The ladder from base to the end of the basket is 19 inches long while stored for transit. The truck measures 5.5 inches wide from side to side.

Since I have that d@m Skidsteer apart today, here's a couple pics of the custom fabricated mount I made to hold the servo that operates the boom lift. There's already a few sanps posted of it, but they are with it installed in the machine.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/...979e80e8_c.jpgunnamed (90) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/...8dc34492_c.jpgunnamed (91) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I've REALLY been wanting a CNC machine, & a lathe. I've found a lathe at Hazardous Freight (Harbor Freight) although small, it'll work for what I do, IF I can find a spot for it in the garage. ? :thinking:

I've found this CNC on Evilbay. Is it any good? will it work? Is it any good? Will it have longevity, or die within a couple projects?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4Axis-VFD-3...19.m1438.l2649

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Machine would be fine for light milling in plastic only or engraving. I would not use it for much of anything other than plastic. No telling what kind of bearings are in it. Milling machines need bearings that can take a side load. Engravers and drill press' do not have bearings made for side loading. That is why a drill press will start making oval holes besides bad drill bits.

I would get a regular milling machine and convert to CNC. Need to go slow and learn process as you go. I speak from 30 years of machining experience- both manual and CNC.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Thank-you, sir for the info. I will NOT be acquiring that machine!
I plan to take it slow, starting with a small machine, & eventually, HOPEFULLY get into bigger machines.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Wow, i figured it was a little bigger. My fire chief is 8 1/4" tall to the light, 7 7/8" wide at the rub rail, and 26" long at bumpers.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

I really cannot praise the Sherline machines enough for a beginner. Easy to assemble and easy to use. This was my first small mill and lathe which I still have after 25 years of use. Both have been upgraded many times and very few parts replaced. While they do seem pricey at first, they are worth every penny. Size is an issue with them thou. You can just make wheels for the semis over the saddle on the lathe without some mods but the accuracy of the machines is much more than needed for this hobby. The many available options are one of the big plus' for me.

Must add that I have 6 of the Sherline machines- 3 lathes and 3 mills!

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Today, I installed the new Traxxas 2075 servo into the skidsteer conversion. :D The Traxxas servo is shorter then the Savox SC-0251MG. :( Since the two are different size, I had to modify the box that I fabricated to hold the servo in place.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/...77dbea71_c.jpgunnamed (92) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
The gears from the Savox DO, however fit the Traxxas 2075 servo's. :cool: Since they fit, I gutted the bad Savox servo, & installed the METAL gears into the Traxxas servo. :) Now I still have a metal gear servo in this thang, even if it is a slightly weaker servo than I originally wanted to use.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Since the flex shaft for the Dremel tool died, I've not been doing much lately. I've gotten spoiled with the ease of removing material(s) with it. Hopefully once Xmas is here, I'll have a new dremel tool with flex shaft, & can again start new projects. In the meanwhile, I've ordered the pump for the firetruck conversion.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-3-7V-6V-...sAAOSwkjNZqNYS
Alo been ordering a few other misc. parts & pieces that are needed around here.

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Awesome look forward to see your take on the fire truck conversion. I've been thinking about building one also. Keep it comming

Re: Skeeters contracting services
 

Made a lil progress on the Bruder Skidsteer conversion tonight. This thang has been a PITA (Pain In The @zz) from day one. It all started with the disassembly, & nothing's been easy since the beginning! I thought I had it all sorted out, but ran into problem after problem with this thang. The battery pack I thought was going to fit nicely.............:lol: it didn't fit. The receiver.....well I HAD room for it, but then I had to re-arrange EVERYTHING in it! I now have to order the miniature 4channel Spektrum receiver :( I'll be impatiently awaiting it's arrival on the SLOW boat from China. Anyways, here's a couple of pics from tonights adventures with it.

The 2/3A batteries shohorned in it.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/...ffc673ff_c.jpgunnamed (97) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

The run/off/charge switch installed. It still needs dome black touch up added to it, so it looks more like an exhaust stack.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4542/...cbabe2b5_c.jpgunnamed (96) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

The top cover mocked in place with the new switch installed
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/...89b4b62a_c.jpgunnamed (95) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr