1/16 Bucyrus-Monighan Walking Dragline

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by Lil Giants

I'm at a bit of a loss to understand why you changed that from the original assembly you had, it appears you've now lost quite a bit of rigidity from a vital area that carries the entire weight of the model at distant end points during travel.

I'm surprised that my original has held up so well.
The bearing will be stronger once I build the rest of the tower. Like I said in a previous post; I made the bearing upside down and now I'm fixing it like it's supposed to be . Or close to.
Joe, Take a look at what still needs built to complete the entire bearing tower support.

[ihbuilder]

I thought you had shown me those pics

[RCKiwi]

I really enjoy seeing your machine setup's and the progressive machining shots. It's good to see a man in command of his craft. I look forward to more updates.
Glenn

[9W Monighan]

Here is the mockup of how the support tower fits into the roof structure.
The existing steel channels are not correct and have to be removed making way for the new brass sheets.




Setup for drilling and profiling


Thumbs pretty sore from drilling 135 holes.


Profiling


Ready for the angles to be riveted on.

[Rvjimd]

Steve,

The time lapse video was one of several of my videos that got deleted but I found the raw clip and re posted it. Can't wait to see the operators station in action! When is Cabin Fever, you gona be ready by then?

http://youtu.be/d6w--0yp60s

Jim

[Stuff]

it grows even more!

[Espeefan]

The new updated towers and bearing blocks look incredible! Wow. So the time to cover all the inner workings of the machine is getting closer? Will you actually do it? It's really amazing to look at, and watch the drivetrain parts do their thing. All the design and engineering, not to mention the metal work that went into this model. Almost a shame to cover it with a cabin! I'm sure you'll make removable, but it's been a real treat to watch the model evolve through the last couple years. It just keeps getting better and better.

I will say I've learned a couple things from your machining process photos. Fixturing and drilling those tiny holes. What kind of adapter are you running for drilling the rivet holes? It looks like a mini chuck, but you are supporting the bit with a free floating collar of some kind? Any more info on that?

[pugs]

It's called a sensitive drill adapter chuck. Allows you to feed the bit down by finger pressure.

Great looking work on the dragline!

[Stefan]

Very impressive work, Steve! I like the idea (whether intentional or not) of accepting some partial "simplifications" to have an operating model as soon as possible, and then later perfecting the parts concerned.
Stefan

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by RCP57

All I can really say is WOW! Beautiful work!

Originally Posted by oztruck

I enjoy watching machines working very much, but watching you work on the machine is inspiring. XLNT job.

Chris

Originally Posted by Stuff

it grows even more!

Originally Posted by Espeefan

The new updated towers and bearing blocks look incredible! Wow. So the time to cover all the inner workings of the machine is getting closer? Will you actually do it? It's really amazing to look at, and watch the drivetrain parts do their thing. All the design and engineering, not to mention the metal work that went into this model. Almost a shame to cover it with a cabin! I'm sure you'll make removable, but it's been a real treat to watch the model evolve through the last couple years. It just keeps getting better and better.

I will say I've learned a couple things from your machining process photos. Fixturing and drilling those tiny holes. What kind of adapter are you running for drilling the rivet holes? It looks like a mini chuck, but you are supporting the bit with a free floating collar of some kind? Any more info on that?

Originally Posted by pugs

It's called a sensitive drill adapter chuck. Allows you to feed the bit down by finger pressure.

Great looking work on the dragline!

Thanks guys. Been wanting this part done for quite some time.
Espeefan,Pugs is correct on the sensitive chuck. I had to use it because I couldn't get all four plates to hold down tightly together. I broke a couple drill bits before I used the finger chuck.
I intend on covering the frame and have some of the panels removable, but it will take a while still because I still need to make the curved roof trusses and the operators cab that contours with the main roof.

Originally Posted by Stefan

Very impressive work, Steve! I like the idea (whether intentional or not) of accepting some partial "simplifications" to have an operating model as soon as possible, and then later perfecting the parts concerned.
Stefan

Glad you noticed my simplified parts. When I started this machine several years ago, I never dreamed I would be building this as close as I am to the 1:1 Help from others and getting permission to crawl all over the 1:1 has made a huge difference on my build.

[modelman]

Very nice work as always steve-will the bearing support blocks be fastened to the brass panels or the main frame or both?

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by modelman

Very nice work as always steve-will the bearing support blocks be fastened to the brass panels or the main frame or both?

The blocks are attached to the brass sheets. Also there are channels under the bearing that are welded to the main frame. Some of the weight is transferred to the roof supports just like the 1:1. Now it forms a giant arch from one side to the other.
Last night my son and I pressed the walking cams back on the shaft and I'll soon be able to walk it again. There is still several hours of work needed to build the triangular braces that support the towers from flexing back and forth. That'll be my next project when I get back at it. There is so many things I have to get done before any of the house gets built.

[cdm]

How huge is that thing... also are you by any chance PAmining?

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by cdm

How huge is that thing... also are you by any chance PAmining?

No relation to PA mining.
The machine is 44'' tall to A frame
35'' wide to the outside of it's shoes
house is: 37'' long
Boom: 120'' long
bucket: 7''x9''
total weight: 275#

[cdm]

Originally Posted by 9W Monighan

No relation to PA mining.
The machine is 44'' tall to A frame
35'' wide to the outside of it's shoes
house is: 37'' long
Boom: 120'' long
bucket: 7''x9''
total weight: 275#

I will come see it in person if you bring it to any shows/meets. I suspect you are going to have to disassemble for transport

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by cdm

I will come see it in person if you bring it to any shows/meets. I suspect you are going to have to disassemble for transport

Next show is: Brownsville, PA. National Pike Steam Horse and Gas May 17-19 2013 http://www.nationalpike.com/

I don't disassemble this machine to move it. I bought an enclosed trailer and leave the boom up. I found this is the easiest way to transport it.

[mog]

wow keep up the good work on her. i should get back to some models but i seam to be spending all my time working on my CAT'S these days in hope of having some nice CATS as nice as your's.

[modelman]

Hi steve-there is one thing I had forgot about until I saw it on post#567-picture 8. That is the boom hoist. Could you talk a little about that. Does it work good, time to go up & down,etc.

[9W Monighan]

Originally Posted by modelman

Hi steve-there is one thing I had forgot about until I saw it on post#567-picture 8. That is the boom hoist. Could you talk a little about that. Does it work good, time to go up & down,etc.

The boom hoist is made as close to the 1:1 I could build. Gears are the same tooth count but the motor is larger (physical size) than I would like. It works great though. I power it up with a bench type power supply because I don't have a on board supply that puts out enough current to raise the boom. When the boom is all the way down on the ground the motor struggles a tiny bit but once up past about 5deg. it works less. I timed it and it takes about 18 minutes to boom up to 30deg. where I work it most of the time. The first tries with the new boom was 25deg. but you had trouble digging the roll because the bucket had to be really tight to pull it up out of the cut.

[modelman]

I know what you are saying about the motors steve. It's a shame when someone like you is building an exact scale model and you have to use these "HUGE" electric motors. But I don't see any solution for that in the near future. You are making good progress on the dragline and I am really looking forward to seeing more.