First build ,cat D11

[Cooper]

Hey guys I'm new here and have been a long time rc enthusiast. Mostly devoted to 100mph+ rc boats. I've always wanted to have a dozer but none commercially produced. So after adding a mill and lathe I can finally build my childhood dream. I use to watch my dad clearing ground on an old pony motor for starter, cable system for blade and scraper D11 or something that size. I don't know what cat model he had but it was old and I was young But I am stepping up to modern day and want to build a new d11.
I have no real idea of what I'm doing but have been gathering info and watching, lurking, on some sites. I'm currently gathering metals and supplies for the build. I need some help for drive system. I'm building scale 1:14 or 1:16, something along lines of the scale big rigs. I think I want to be at 12volts, right angle drives around 25 rpm? Where can I get geared drive motors? Anybody use brushless rock crawler motors/esc and gearbox? Would they be strong enough? Or stick with the brushed worm drive motors I see others using? Where to get them?
So last couple days I have been playing with making tracks, these are just some to get an idea of how to mill them and making some jigs to make them repetitive and easier. And where do you all get the small hex head bolts? Scale looking, as I would like this to look fairly real. This will be made with the intentions of being used and abused. Working around the rc truck track. And I will be using hydraulics. Probably purchase pump but make rotary valves and cylinders.

[Cooper]

And a few pics of the shop

[Cooper]

And another

[Cooper]

Sorry about the one pic at a time, using an iPad and it's not allowing me to put more than one? Weird, but I am technologically impaired !!!!

[RCP57]

Nice setup! I like your car and dog too!...Not sure I would let a cat sleep on top of a Corvette though...

I couldn't help but notice the Trophy/plaques on the wall. Are they from MX or Off-road racing?

Nice job on the pads as well!

Reg

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by RCP57

Nice setup! I like your car and dog too!...Not sure I would let a cat sleep on top of a Corvette though...

I couldn't help but notice the Trophy/plaques on the wall. Are they from MX or Off-road racing?

Nice job on the pads as well!

Reg

Yes mx, in 2001 I got my pro license and later that season I put about 180 staples in my leg . Several surgeries later and a couple years I leveled the practice tracks and started into a not so risky hobby, rc boats. And yes all black vett convertible with Crome wheels for a cat bed
Irish wolfhound, Great Dane puppy (9 month old) and a Maine cooncat that rules the house!! That cat is a pita!! Just tonight I had to let him sit on my lap while I was running the lathe!! Even the shop vac doesn't scare him!! And if you don't entertain him you will pay!! Lol!!!

[speedy8305]

lol looks like a nice corvette under the cover

[Cooper]

Just messed around with trying to make some track pins. I think I may grind them to size and press fit them into the links. Steel pins and maybe steel wheels. I would like to get that screeching sound of dozers without making the tracks all steel. I prefer to work with aluminum if possible. Again these are rough and not precise. Just for idea of final project. And I am waiting on some new tools to show up (end mills, bits, screws ect. ...).

[tracksntreadslou]

Cooper check out Fastener Express and Micro Fasteners ..Gear motors at servo city or superdroid robots for a start

[Cooper]

Thanks, looks like I need to get some new taps, some small ones

[Cooper]

Got some time and measurements down. I figured I would try and make production as simple as possible. I'm building 20 track pads at a time, making tool changes simpler. Here is just the height profile of what will be 20 pads.

[dirtpusher9]

Looking good Cooper. One thing I would say is figure out how many pads you need and do all of them, one operation at a time. It is very boring but you are set up for that operation so you might as well do them all, being consistent. Tracks and undercarriage take the longest time but the rest of the build will be much easier. Look forward to more.

[Cooper]

Thanks for the input. I wanted to make all of them by one operation at a time but,,,, one I did get board! Two, before I got too involved in the material I wanted to make a few of them and bolt them together just too make sure they will function properly. I have kept all the settings and numbers stored so precisely duplicating any operation at any stage would be able to be achieved. I may not be conventional in my approach as I don't have plans. Pretty much everything I do is planed in my head . No drawling or engineering print outs. Just the hard way, analog thought I guess you could say . I'm having a hard time locating the small hex head screws I have seen others build with. At least stateside (us) and still unsure of right angle drives. Before I start on the body I need to get the power train planned out. But in time, for now I need to locate some stainless m1.6 hex head screws or 1-72 hex head screws. Need about 500-600, tracks alone will take 320.

[RCP57]

http://www.microfasteners.com/home.php?cat=576 http://www.microfasteners.com/home.php?cat=575

[tracksntreadslou]

http://www.fastener-express.com/hex-...stainless.aspx

[Cooper]

Thanks, got some screws and small taps ordered.

Bit of trivia--- the difference between screws and bolts, screws are to be inserted into a object. Bolts are to be inserted through an object with a nut (fastener) attached.

Thought I would share, anyway some more track links. And I did have to change one op, I was planning on using a slitting saw to part the individual pads but my collet/saw did not have the clearance. So I had to make them a tad longer to allow the old human powered hack saw room for my perfectly straight hand cuts

[Cooper]

Another pic

[Stuart]

Nice work, not sure i'd have the patience to make all those track links so well done!

How high are your cleats?

Stu

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Nice work, not sure i'd have the patience to make all those track links so well done!

How high are your cleats?

Stu

Scale would be just shy of 5" (1/14 scale they are .35") and 2" wide. Based off a 2 foot wide track. I think this is going to be the easy part, locating and drilling holes and the 160 guides attached to them,,,,,, then tapping 320 holes!!!!! Now that is going to take some major discipline on my ADD DISORDER behalf!!!!!

[RCP57]

Looks like you are already burnt out...posting pictures upside down!

I don't envy you one bit but it will look great when you are finished! Keep cranking those handles!