Skeeters contracting services

[skeeter]

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.

[Efroeh]

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

[skeeter]

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............. 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.
unnamed (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.
unnamed (96) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

The top cover mocked in place with the new switch installed
unnamed (95) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

[lenny]

Looking good with the skidsteer.. just mite be the next piece I'll be looking to buy.

[skeeter]

Thanks for the encouragement, Lenny

Yesterday, when I arrived home from work, I had a package I've been awaiting fir a LONG long time! The SLOW boat carrying it FINALLY made it's way to me from China. I took them, & made a pack for the skid steer conversion. The 2/3A pack fits in it, but I'd have to move EVERYTHING from where I had planned. Going with the 2/3AA 1800MAH batteries hopefully it's enough power to last fir a lil bit of play time in that machine. Picture below has the 2/3A pack next to the 2/3AA pack. I liked how the 2/3A pack weighted the machine slightly rear heavy, just like the 1:1 machines. Perhaps, I'll find a spot in/near the rear of the model, & give it the Skeeter special treatment........just a few ounces worth.

unnamed (98) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Today I didn't work, due to a Dental appointment. I HATE going to them places......but when tooth is abscessed, & hurting, it's time to drag myself in there & get taken care of. When I arrived home, I had an EXCELLENT surprise awaiting me. I WASN'T expecting that package to arrive for about 4-7 more days. A great big THANK-YOU goes out to Hostile for being of assistance with acquiring this project. The Subaru WRX, I COULDN'T source locally. I inquired if he'd help me out, since they are readily available in Australia. It's sitting on my shelf, awaiting it's turn to be converted.
unnamed (99) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
I'm excited to cut the cord off this little rice burning hot rod, but have other projects ahead of it. Once I get a few more parts, the dump truck will be taking over as the HIGHEST priority build. After all, I'll need something to haul away all that dirt that the new hoe will be digging up!

[frizzen]

Atleast you've got some battery options to work with. It looked like you might have been able to run 4 of the 2/3A across the back counterweight, then stick the other 2 onto that going into engine compartment?

Wait, the 2/3A are 1600, but the 2/3AA are 1800? Do the AA have a slower discharge rating?

Nice scooby, mine should just be couple days out then.

[skeeter]

Unfortunately, neither evilbay seller was able to provide a "C" rating for the batteries, so I'm unsure.

Yes sir, your new ride SHOULDN'T be too far away.

Yeppers, I have a several options for batteries to work with. I COULD have ran the 2/3A battery pack, but then I wouldn't have room to put in the Sabertooth 2X5, or the receiver. With the smaller 2/3AA pack, I can have the Sabertooth in the back with the pack, as well as shoe horn the receiver in there too. The 4CH receiver for the Spektrum is slightly too bulky to fit under the seat area.

[skeeter]

Tonight, after work, I tinkered with the Bruder Skidsteer conversion some more. I got as far as installing 7 testing the driveability functions. I added another 2/3AA battery to the pack. It now runs off from a 2/3AA 8.4V 1800MAH battery pack. I also got the on/off/charge switch installed. IDK, yet where I will shoehorn the charge port at on this thang. Perhaps, at/near the rear of the ROPS, on top perhaps?
unnamed (100) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Even with the lighter weight batteries that make up the pack, the thing is still slightly heavy to the rear, just like the 1:1 is. I still think I'll do the skeeter special, just a bit to it, as it's not quite right.....yet.
unnamed (101) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Once it FINALLY gets did loading, I'll have a short video of the driveability testing to post.

[skeeter]

as promised, here's a short clip testing the drive functions of the skidsteer
https://youtu.be/nD5vWxLdMEw

[frizzen]

Nice to see it's fighting a little less and moving under it's own power now.

Did you put any brass tube bracing in the lifting arms yet?

[skeeter]

Yes sir, It feels AMAZING that it's FINALLY showing progress. The cousin Delta Loader, hasn't made any progress.

Brass tubing in lifting arms....no sir. The arms on it are I think built very solidly. On it's cousin, I WILL be placing some reinforcements in it's arms. The wheeled version has a solid boom, unlike tracked version.

[frizzen]

My bad, i hadn't actually seen the wheeled bobcat in person yet.

A while back you were asking about figures, i just ran across these being used in a M35 in 1/16 build over on scale4x4. They'll be a little short, but seem to have great detail
http://americandiorama.com/index.php...tegory&path=69

[skeeter]

Thank-You sir for that link! I've found a few things I might could use for future projects there.

[skeeter]

This morning I was sitting in the garage tinkering with the Bruder Skidsteer conversion.....well trying to, but this guy WOULDN'T stay off my lap.
unnamed (102) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
I think he was enjoying the warmth that Mr Heater Head was providing.
All was quiet when I heard the truck pull into the driveway. When the delivery gal got out, I noticed she was carrying a rather large box. Normally, I'd just sit back, & let them take it to the front door. This time, knowing I was anxiously expecting a delivery of about that same shape/size, I hopped up, & went to greet her. I was overly joyed when I found out the package was mine. It came today, my RC4WD 4200 excavator!

unnamed (104) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

unnamed (105 by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

unnamed (106) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

[skeeter]

Now the work begins! I'll be going through it with a fine tooth comb, to make sure EVERYTHING is properly tightened, & locktite where needed. then I'll have to watch a Youtube video of how to properly fill & bleed the hydraulic system, before I get to doing that.

[Hofabooz]

Hi Skeeter

Nice purchase
Enjoy your new machine a good pre inspection is always worthwhile and usually pays off in the long run.
Looking forwards to seeing it in action.

[skeeter]

Got some time out in the garage today, & finished the Bruder Caterpillar D4 conversion.
I know the bolts that hold the blade wear plate to the machine are a bit too large, & there are too few of them. They are what I was able to source locally.
unnamed (107) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Got a chance to get the 4200Xl out to play today. HOPEFULLY my friend gets the video of it, as well as the clip with the D4 playing with it's 1:1 cousin, edited & sent to me. Soon as he gets them to me, I'll post them for all to see.

I must say I was impressed with the digging power of the RC4WD 4200Xl hoe. I am a lil disappointed with the track drivetrain though. When the machine is sitting there digging, the tracks freewheel. They WON'T propel the machine either. IF I give it a helping hand, then they will drive fir about 4-6inches before they quit driving again. IDK what's going on with it. I'm awaiting a reply from RC4WD on this issue. Other then the drivability issue, I'm really satisfied with this machine!

[skeeter]

I'm still working on the Bruder skidsteer conversion. I have to figure out where in that thang I can put a BEC unit. When I try to run the bucket servo, it browns out the receiver. I think the built in power supply of the Sabertooth 2X5 isn't quite strong enough to run the full sized servo.

[skeeter]

No work today, so I had time in the garage to mess with the Bruder Skidsteer conversion. I was able to show horn a BEC unit into it. With the 5V BEC unit in it, it now functions, as it SHOULD! I'll post a lil teaser vid of it. Sorry, the nephews were visiting, & got in the video a bit. They are both 2, & thought this was the neatest thing they've seen yet!
https://youtu.be/J4JD0Bu_aw8
Sorry for the crummy video quality. The video was taken using my cell phone.

After battling this one, I'm unsure if I'll be attempting the Bruder Delta loader conversion! This one was cramped enough to try & fit everything into. There's even less room in the delta loader to fit it all into!

[skeeter]

My friend JUST sent me a short snippet of the video he took of the RC4WD 4200 excavator he took. This shows the track freewheel problem I'm talking about. When I try to dig, the tracks freewheel, & pull the machine towards the bucket. They SHOULDN'T move, as they are doing. RC4WD is sending replacement parts for it. I'm sure they will get here before the upgrade kit from SoylandIndustries does. I'll R+R the stock motors, so I can use the machine, until the upgrade kit gets here. Once the upgrade kit arrives, I'll switch to those motors.
https://youtu.be/Hwz6pSUzERo