1/14 CAT 390D LME

[Hemi1966]

Nice to see someone building 390. When I started building CAT 374 my other choice was 390, but It's so big in 1:14 scale that I end up doing slightly smaller 374.

[Jw.]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Hemi1966

Nice to see someone building 390. When I started building CAT 374 my other choice was 390, but It's so big in 1:14 scale that I end up doing slightly smaller 374.

My first choice was going to be the 374 but just before I was going to start my plans CCM just released their 1/50 390D LME model so I went with that instead.

Originally Posted by Madda

I started designing 390 just few weeks ago. It will be interesting to see what you come up to and also get some ideas from you. Are you using any CAD system for help? What mill/lathe do you have?

Post some pics of machining next time too!

Good luck!

No cad just good old handwritten blueprints and all the dimensions I am taking from the CCM 390D LME. Which not everything is perfectly scale on the model. For example the bottom roller I machined already. Turns out is not wide enough for the tracks on the model. I'm using a Taig mill and a micromark micro lathe 6X10. I'll be sure to post some machining pics later. I plan on making everything myself as much as I can. Hydraulics and all.

Originally Posted by rc_farmer

Another nice bucket build to follow, keep up the good work!

Indeed I hope to make myself a nice ME bucket like Ari's 374D. Can't promise it will be as nice as his though.

[Jw.]

Start of the bolt pattern. First time using a rotary table. Didn't know till half way through I was .010 off center. Its barely noticeable. I'm not liking this latest version of photobucket at all.

[Jw.]

Second bolt pattern. Now this one I was dead on for sure this time and it came out perfect.



44 holes drilled and tapped. Plus 24 teeth cut. I will eventually switch the screws over to hex head but for now cheap socket head screws will do.

[Jw.]

First attempt at making a 2 piece mold for the track pad and link bolted together out of a plaster cast. Since I don't have a cnc machine.

I was not sure if it was going to work and it didn't. It failed and cracked. The plaster it still slightly pliable after it sets(30 minutes or so) so I thought I might be able to slide it out ok. Even if I had added more water to soften it even more. The undercut on the track pad still would have deformed the mold. It was just a test anyway to see how the whole process goes.

The search is on for other methods. I'm considering lost wax, lost foam, or prototype metal mold casting. I will find a way to get this done. 102 track pads to go.






On the left side mold. On the bottom of the track pad is where the undercut is. That's where it cracked on me. Also I forgot to make a sprue or vent holes.