Re: First build ,cat D11
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psd74c4d9a.jpg
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I made a hydraulic tank. The bracket on the bottom is a mount for the 1/2" bar that connects the two tracks together. I still have to add some sort of mounting to the top and a vent. The suction line for the pump is on the bottom and the return lines on top. All are 6mm.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Cooper you must of done this before ..Very impressed with your first Build ..This is awsome ..Thanks for sharing all the awsome pics and very informative discription..Cant wait to see this bad boy rollin

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Thanks!!!

I don't think I'll have the time I wanted this weekend to get a few hours to head down to cabin fever at York. Kind of depends how much rain we get, a lot and I'll have time. But if things aren't too muddy I'll be staying around here. I got one order from premacon today, need the second order to show up soon. Several back to back orders because I don't know what the heck I'm doing with these hydraulic fittings. !!! But some more progress that I'll post up shortly.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Your build is really great and very ingenious the way pieces have been fitted together to save space and provide access - outstanding workmanship! Concerning the aluminum brazing problems: I've used it several times with excellent results; however, on thicker pieces like you are using, allow extra time for all of the metal to reach the melting point of the rod. Early on, I had problems with heavier pieces and learned to wait a bit to be sure everything was up to temp. Even had to use a different torch once in order to get enough BTUs for proper melting. I've always used a stainless steel brush for prep, but never used flux.
Keep up the good work!

Ken

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Thanks for the info, I know what you mean with the heat. I think a big problem I was having was I had it mounted to a vise and vice grips holding another piece of aluminum for a bit of a jig. I think it was robbing too much of the heat and me not getting it hot enough like you said. I'm using mapp gas but the torch tip is like three little tips, doesn't really localize the heat. Once I get use to this stuff I definitely think it will be a asset in the building options.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Good point about the heat-sinking effect you get with vises and pliers holding the parts. I forgot to mention that I switched to paper-binder spring clips to hold things. They don't soak up much heat, are cheap, available in many sizes, and can be tossed when heat removes all the spring tension from them.

Good luck!

Ken

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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Work on mounting the valve block.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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Found a practical place for the pressure gauge.

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There is enough room behind and under the gauge for all the hoses

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Re: First build ,cat D11
 

With the cab up

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And down. You can just see the gauge, but there is lost of room around and above it.

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Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Wow, looking good.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4d13aee.jpg

Have some time tonight, I'm going to try and bring her to life. :). I don't have the radio for it yet but have one laying around I can use. I ordered one of the new flysky/ turnigy 9 ones. For the money they are great radios. Mixing and assignable channels.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

I know several of you are enjoying all the cool stuff at cabin fever in York and I got stuck home working,,,,,,,,,, lol. Hope you all enjoyed the show, I really wanted to get there.

I found out that I have enough wiggle room on the track links when I remove several shoes to avoid using any master link or connector pins to connect the track ends.
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Don't know if it will help anyone else but I've been struggling with an effective acceptable master link , now it's solved.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

http://youtu.be/cAQllGx7SUU

Ahhhhh, success!!! First test run!!! She is a little slower than I thought but that is probably what scale speed would be. I know I did the math and all that figuring when I was figuring out gearing so as long as it was right then. This should be scale speed. Just seams a bit slow to me.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

After looking into it , speed is about right, I guess I'm just use to rc toys being much much faster,,, and being able to punch it when the cat, wife, dog are in range and getting yelled at. Lol.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

It looks great to me. My wife would not be thrilled about me driving it on the hardwood floor though....

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

I can't imagine the feeling you felt seeing something you dreamed up and built from nothing functioning so well, great job!

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Looks great! Speed is plenty fast - yes, crawlers do their work at a pace much slower than wheeled vehicles and it does seem slow if not used to it. You have much to be proud of. Also, you must have a good relationship with the person attached to the tenns shoes.....floor cleanup going on while you are driving around on it!!!!!!!!

Ken

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Thanks for the assurance guys!! Well about the running in the house on floors,,, I was already in the dog house about not getting stuff done around house when wife was gone during weekend. So,,, already in trouble might as well have some enjoyment during the moment. :). The floor is linoleum. I'm in process of replacing all floors in house.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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This is what those blocks are for, I epoxied neo magnets into the slots. They will hold down the hood and cab.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Placement of air cleaners and exhaust.
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To me they seem a little misplaced but looking at the parts/shop manual that's where they go.

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Just some m3 screws holding them.

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And to get the parts to stand vertically the best tool was a simple hand file and eyeball :)

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Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Oh and I used some grommets from my favorite (if u need a tool cheep to work a few times) store , harbor freight. Cut them in half , they will make great trim pieces from metal to part.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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First coat on the steel parts. Have to get some more self etching primer for the alum stuff. I'm going to try and get the painting stuff out of the way before I hook all the hydraulics up. I'm pretty confident I have all the hoses and wiring routed so no more machineing should be necessary. Just hone and polish cylinders and the wiring. But it's always the little things that take the longest. Like I found out from test running that I need a tad bit more clearance for the wheels.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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Primed and first coat on.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Cooper, your parts looks great all painted up. I was wondering what you are going to do for cab windows. Your first run video is great. The D11 does seem a little slow, but maybe you could bump the battery voltage up a bit and pick up some more speed. I don't think I'd worry about it to much, unless a little extra speed for reversing after a pushing a full blade forward and going back to do it again might be helpful.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Thanks, for the windows I'm going to use vinyl. I have a vinyl cutter so clean lines and any shape is no problem. Only problem is the color. If I keep the cab yellow then black windows. But I like the two tone cats, yellow with black cab and top of hood. If I go that way possibly grey?? I don't know how that will look. Haven't got that far yet but will have to look and see what color I have. Would hate to order a whole roll for just six inches. I do have a masking vinyl that is a little transparent and grey. That may work. I'll post some ideas as I go.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Question, it's pretty oblivious to me but just wanted to be sure. On the cylinders, for the hose fittings to properly seal should I machine a flat spot where the threads are? I'm thinking with the plastic sealing ring on the fittings they will need to have a clean flat surface to seal properly. Correct? I'm onto finishing up with the hydraulics and clarifying all those little details that seem to drag on a build.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

yes, then put a lil thread sealant on the threads and you should be good .

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Looks great...I think you have a perfect scale speed. Can't wait to see how it looks with the new paint

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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I did put a wrench to these, very light on the torque. Figured I didn't want to chance stripping and if they leak then I can tighten them easily.

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These fitting are the ones in question. Beings how the cylinders are round I am thinking I need to have a flat mating surface for the elbow plastic sealing ring. I never messed with these small fittings and still not sure on sealing. My thoughts of having 120-140 psi pressure in the system I should have flat and as insurance some sort of sealing putty/paste. Like I said I ain't got a clue :).

Thanks mackattack, I was just thinking a tad bit faster for duplicate passes for reversing speeds. But I'm happy with it and sounds like it from you guys that it's about right.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And I still do have some lazyness in me :). I'm using the bolts that were painted and replacing with unpainted ones where they can't be seen. Save me from having to paint the heads of bolts in another step :). Eager to get her dirty!!!!

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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Forgot the pic

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Looks great! Like IH said, just machine a small flat for the washer and you're good to go! I haven't needed to use sealant on the threads but that may not be a bad idea as well.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Cooper I see you had some teflon tape to seal with, do not use that for the hydraulics if it get in there it will gum them up. Ed

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Looking good, Cooper! The paint looks great under natural lighting. It must be pretty durable too. The hex head screws have no signs of chipping anywhere, unless you painted them after they were threaded in place?

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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Some parts I tried to paint as much together as possible. The paint is a couple days old but still not fully cured. I have been using dry powder graphite on parts that touch as a lubricant and to help keep the paint intact until fully cured. So if it looks dirty on the track parts that's just graphite powder.

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And assembly is slow as some things need to be adjusted for the layer of paint. I tried to make certain areas loose tolerances as I've herd people say after paint the parts don't fit. I have to finish up the hydralic parts and paint them. Still waiting on radio. As I really don't want to do all that programming just to redo it when radio comes in.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Cooper you are coming along nicely no sense in rushing things now and making a mistake you have created a excellent model. Ed

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Yes and thanks. Oil filter is one of the little things I need to get yet. I am remaking the hose fitting piece for the top of the blade lift cylinders so both black hoses come downward from top. It's still a bit before I get oil in the tank. All those little things,,,, it's like death from a thousand paper cuts!!!

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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I got another order from premacon. I was wondering why it was taking so long. I recieved an order from them that I placed after this one. By the looks of it I think it got stuffed in the wheel well next to that little boy!! I know it's not premacons problem but I only got one container of oil (paid for two). That's in the trash somewhere I'm sure.

Does anyone know what kind of oil they use? Pretty thin I just don't know what weight oil it is, that I could buy locally.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

What a thing of beauty! Paint really makes it come to life.