Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

That's how the wdc rims fit together. And I'm not entirely sure, but I think the inner bore tapered to the center a hair so an aluminum ring fit between the two halves to press against the inner bead of the tire to lock the tire to rim. Zero slippage!

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Wow pugs that sounds one heck of a challenge! Yea I have learned to keep spinning the handle until i get resistance and measure from there, and it kinda works. Hahaha

Lil Giants - thats good news, I geuss I am doing something right, ahaha :rolleyes:

Well today I felt like I was finally getting somewhere, I milled out some sheet steel and welded up the front or the rear chassis. So now it is beggining to finally look like a chassis. And then i stitch welded the rear chassis together (I think thats what it is called). But I must say im getting sick of cutting out 16GA steel on the mill. With the warping form the clamps there are spots where it doesn't cut and other spots where the pass is a little deep for our small machine. I may see if i can get the front end cut out by the water jet place but the road if its not to exspensive. Heres some pics of todays work:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/IMG_5943.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/IMG_5945.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/IMG_5944.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/IMG_5941.jpg

Thanks for lookin!

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hey Chris, have you considered stuffing a wood block inside the frame, and then clamp it to the mill? Just a thought. Great job so far!
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

yeah, I hate milling thin sheet too. Usually use an aluminum subplate and drill any holes I can through the sheet and use bolts through those holes into aluminum plate, then mill profile into alum plate a bit to be sure deep enough.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Good explanation! Thank's, Neil.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Ah I see, Well I think im going for the easier route there is a waterjet cutting place down the road so im getting a quote for some parts and hopefully going to get them soon :D Also we finally got an edge finder so i cut one of the wheels out to see how they look and i think i will finish the rest of them when the co-axial indicator shows up. Heres a look at the wheels, Im liking them so far :D

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5953.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5954.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5955.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5956.jpg

Then I got some work done on the boom, I ran it throught the machine to first face it all then started the chamfers and then some cutouts but still needs lots of work.:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5957.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5958.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5963.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5961.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5960.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5958.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5959.jpg

Well thats about it for now, Also I started a new job and had to work 48 hours last week on top of school so not to much has been getting done but hopefully that will change soon.


Thanks for lookin,
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

You may want to rethink your boom Chris... I'm not sure that it will be strong enough! Just Kiddin! Looks good.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

looking great keep it comming it will be a great looking loader, I am so jealous of all you guys and your scratch builds I neither have the skills or the tools to pull that off. my hats off to all you talented builders on this forum.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Haha yea the boom is a beast! I got it almost finished all it needs now is to have the final drill sizes drilled at all the center drill spots but ill do that when i get all my hardware figured out. Surprisingly the boom weighs only 1.12 lbs (515g)

Thanks chaseracer! I really appreciate it, But just remeber skills are only part of it if you've got patience it really helps i've screwed up more than a few parts cause i want it done now hahah.

Heres another update the boom is pretty well finished and the front end will be welded together tomorrow as i got the pieces water jet cut from a local shop ( http://www.a2zwaterjet.com/) great guys to deal with! And we got a new cooling system which should be coming this week and i hope we get the co-axial indicator to finish off the wheels! I also ordered some gearhead motors so i will be starting the axles once the wheels are done. Heres some pics for you guys, its finally looking like a loader!!

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5970.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5971.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5969.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5968.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5966.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5965.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5964.jpg

Thanks for lookin!
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Got some more done on wheels and snapped a picture. Defiantly motivating to see how it looks!

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5973.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5972.jpg

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hey Chris, have you seen this machining video? At 5:50 he's using a lump of clay and a stick pin for a center finder, learned something new! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Etm...f=mfu_in_order
Keep up the great work.
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Looking Good Chris!

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

doodlebug - Hmm never seen that method before, im always amazed how much there is to learn about metalworking, just when you think you've figured something out you have tons more to learn :D

RCP57 - Thanks!

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

yep , I just learned a bunch more today that'll save me on setup time :D my whole life is school in it self :eek::confused:

loader is lookin great

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Be glad we have the internet to learn stuff, When I graduated in 84, Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet:p:p:o:o:eek::(
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

doodlebug - Yea the internet is a great thing even though it can cause many bad things. I love how it is basically a big open sourced encyclopaedia, if I want to learn something it is there, you just need to find it.

I'm getting really excited now! I have started making a bucket, almost finished the wheels (buggered one up real bad :mad:) they are a 3 piece inner beadlock design as you have probably seen before. But they are 100% custom and my own design :D. i hope to cut out the hub caps tomorrow as i have 3hrs of available tim on the mill. Then while that is running ill get the axles ready for drilling and milling.

I also got my motors today and boy are they strong for there size (OD= 21.8mm). When i first opened the box i was a little nervous as they were the tiny little guys but with a full 12VDC applied to them if you try to even slow down the motor shaft with you fingers it is impossible, the motor doesn't even show any sign of slowing down. They are Beetle B231 12VDC gearhead motors from robotcombat.com (http://www.robotcombat.com/products/0-B231.html) once i've got them installed and running i'll let you know how it goes but they seem to be perfect for the job. And they have a whopping 1.97 lb/ft each so with one per wheel i will have 7.708 lb/ft which should be plenty. But they do draw 6.8A at stall current :eek: Gonna need some big wire for those.

Now for what you have all been waiting for.

With the wheels done I started to machine the valve system while I waited for the motors. Rather than make three individual valves like in my original design i decided to make it one big block for ease of machining and time. So far i have the final outter dimensions milled and just need to do the final pocketing on the main piece. Then turn the spools and put the rest of the peices together! :D:D I really hope my design works or else I might have to buy some valves :o

Heres some pics for you guys!

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6010.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6009.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6007.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6005.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6003.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5997.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_5996.jpg

(The hole where the spool goes still needs to be drilled out and reamed, its not actually going to be only 3mm like in the pic :cool:)

Also if there is enough interest and the valves work I may make some and sell them aswell as sell some plans. Just put a post down if you might be interested. No guarantee`s though as Im going to school, working, on a community soccer team and tryin to build this thing.

Cheers,
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hey Chris, alturnative's to the expensive oversea's stuff, should be welcomed by this crowd!
Sound's like rimpull(wheel torque) would be close to operating weight. Should be very aggresive when finished!
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Great progress, youre doing one **** of a job on this!

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

nice work i haven't been watching this close but you you caught my eyes lol the machining is nice wish i could do half as good keep up the great work

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Thanks everybody I really apprecaite your comments! Its always a good motivater to see that other people enjoy watching my work :D

I was able to get some time on the lathe today and finished off one of my axle cases and tested to see if they would fit the motors and if they looked good. The motors fit perfect and I think they look really good. I may narrow the center bump but it is scaled off the 1:1 loader so i may leave it.

Also if anybody has noticed my build is all over the place because when I have shop time I gotta make due with whatever material and machines I have available. :p And I am on very tight time restaints so I have to work quick without any mistakes. Also because I have all my plans done for everything it is nice because I can machine the part and know it is going to fit. This has got rid of lots of headaches during test fitting and reduces the amount of "bad" parts or Learning experience's :D . Heres some pics of the front end and axle case:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6011.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6012.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6013.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6014.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6015.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6016.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6017.jpg

Final slotting to fit chassis still needs to be done:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6018.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6019.jpg


http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6020.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6021.jpg


And pugs see how you say it is doable to work around backlash now all my parts that come off the lathe that need critical dimensions are within +/- 0.5mm :D :D
Thanks!
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Very interesting build-how will you secure the motors in the axle housing?

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Great work! It is fun watching this come together.

It already looks like a nice machine.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

modelman - Thanks! on the end of each axle case there will be an end cap which bolts the motor to, and holds a bearing that supports the hub from the wheel

SmallHaul - Thanks! Yes it is really exciting to see it come together, especially since I started thinking of making one about a year and a half ago and now I actually get to!

Not to much of an update with the mill down.... But i got the hub caps all finished and I love the look of them

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6026.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6034.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6025.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6024.jpg

Thanks for looking,
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

I haven't really got any updates right now as i've been a little side tracked since I picked up my first car :D

its a 1972 240z, L24 engine, dual SU Carbs, 4 spd manual, white interior :D

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6043.jpg

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Wow - did a lot of work on a 240Z that belonged to my brother in law. Mostly electrical, but also built three different motors before he sold it and bought a new Mini Cooper. Fun car to drive, easy to work on, but expensive to own - good luck!

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Now its the car next will be the girls and the model will be forgotten:)

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

I was thinkin the same thing! I don't know if most teenage girls are smart enough to realize that a guy who can build a model like that is going to go places that the car can't take them. On the other hand, from Chris's perspective does he care right now?lol. A buddy of mine had a 280 back in high school. Chopping doughnuts in it was very strange because you sit back so far. I believe the car did help him become better "friends" with some girls though.:cool:

Reg

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

CrimsonCorsair - yea so fair it has been a sweet car but I have needed to put in a new alternator and rear brakes.......

titandigs, RCP57 - Hahahah, don't worry this project and the forum won't be forgotten. :D Hopefully this week i'll have an update as I'm just finishing the hubs and the axles will be complete!

Yea I hope once I can meet somebody who appreciates all the building and engineering that go into projects like this, and she can't be a tart like half the girls on TV, (ex. Jersey Shore.......) hahaha.

Yea I am really excited about it, since it is so light it gets up and goes pretty quick but doesn't have a high top speed which is fine with me. I'm thinkin the car will help out quite a bit, almost every where I go I get complements on it, from the janitors at my school to the guy who stopped the look at the car stuck in the middle of the road when the alternator died hahaha.

Thanks,
Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

HAHA Hopefully you don't have too many more problems. I'm not sure why you bought a car without a back seat though??? I guess it does have a long hood...:D

Maybe you'll end up like me and still have your first vehicle 20 years later parked in the corner of your garage?

Reg

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hey Chris, haven't heard about you lately. You don't answer to e-mails or update the thread. What have you been up to?

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hey everybody,

I really appologize for not keeping everybody updated but lately everything for me has been a speed wobble on the slow days. I was involved in a Physics Olympics team for a UBC competition which took lots of time (i usually left school at 5-6pm :eek:). Then I was working quite a bit, my aunt got married and i was in charge of doing the music, and im trying to keep my car running as the guy who I bought it from never really did anything that he said he did. But it should be good after this weekend once I finish the new fuel system.

But don't worry the loader has not been forgotten and has been a high priority! :D:D So far both axles are done and the machine can move itself, I am finishing the axles mounts this weekend, a new battery system has been made (2 x 2c li-po in series for a 15v system) the turning and tilting linkage has been completed, the boom bucket linkage has been completed and works flawlessly. This system allows the bucket to remain withing 5-10 degrees of original position throughout the lifting cycle.

I also has scrapped the old bi-direction spool selector valve for a new design similiar to the german valves. I did this to save time as there are less parts, they are smaller, and I can machine them much quicker. The lighting system is about 50% complete and needs to be installed in the machine.

This coming week I plan to test the valve design and build the belt reduction system for the gear pump (don't worry Lil Giants I haven't forgotten :) ) and start on the steering and lifting cylinders. Again I apologize for not keeping it updated but like I said it has been crazy busy but things are starting to settle down and I've got 50 days left of the school year so let the count down begin and get the milling machine running over time.

Madda - Sorry for not replying, ill send you an e-mail tonight

Also I will try to get pictures up tomorrow of my current progress :cool:

-Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

And here I thought you were just stuck under a pile of teenage girls and couldn't reach the computer...:D

Glad to have you back!

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

LOL:p:eek::D

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Hahaha thats only on the weekends :cool:

Heres some pictures showing some progress:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6151.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6156.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6157.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6158.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6159.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6160.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6163.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6164.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6165.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6166.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6167.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6171.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6173.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6175.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6176.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6177.jpg

Compared to a 3/8 end mill

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6179.jpg

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

So first testdrive and lifting video is coming soon? :p

Great progress, you still have to move fast though, June is near.

I see you made new hydraulic valves?

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

looking good! lets see a test vid!! :)

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Nice machine work.:cool:
You don't have any concerns about fluid finding its way up through the centre hole of the rotary head?

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Madda - I hope so I am working like mad to get the rc radio system all setup with the motor driver interfaces i am using along with the rest of the electrical system.

Yea i decided to go the simpler and quicker route with the little time i have left.

dabears - Thanks!

RCKiwi - Thank you, no not really as that is where the servo will bolt into.

Heres a teaser of the new triple valve block


http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6181.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6185.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6188.jpg

Chris

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Nice work Chris. So are you taking some college level machining and engineering courses? I kind of get that drift, from reading your posts, and if that is the case, this project is turning out really great! I find myself distracted by women too, so I can understand the delays in this project! Ha ha. Keep it up. It's looking really nice.

Re: Let The Build Begin!
 

Espeefan - Thanks! Im actually just a gr 12 high school student couting the days until grad :D Hahaha yes it seems they are the cause of many delays, hahaha

So i just got a big part of my hydraulic system.

For the motor i went with a 740KV Thunder Tiger 36 Series Ripper outrunner.

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6191.jpg
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6192.jpg

Then i got a E-Flite 60 Amp Pro Brushless ESC:

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6193.jpg

I also got the ESC's that I will be using for the axle motors, they are Pololu 18v15 Digital Speed Controllers. Have a max output of 30a, input of 30v and are reasonably priced, plus they are small. I just hope that they hold up under the high draw setup.

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/IMG_6194.jpg

Now that I have the motor for the pump I designed a belt reduction system using FingerTech Pulleys that will reduce the RPM -2.8x which will increase torque and keep my system pressure constant under load.

The housing

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...umpHousing.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...uctionPump.jpg

So If everything comes together like it should I hope to be finished to a point where I can hand it in, then over the summer and however long I have the model I can fix gliches, upgrade parts and put all the details on.

Thanks for reading,
Chris