First build ,cat D11
 

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:D. Working around the rc truck track:). And I will be using hydraulics. Probably purchase pump but make rotary valves and cylinders.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And a few pics of the shop

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And another

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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 !!!!:jaw:

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

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

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

lol looks like a nice corvette under the cover

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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:lol:
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!!!

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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. ...).

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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 :)

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Another pic

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

How high are your cleats?

Stu

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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!!!!! :jaw:

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

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

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

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Ugggg!!!! Going to take a couple day break, (well I have to wait till some more stock get delivered). But I have made my brain bleed trying to find a way to make production more efficient in the ops for the links connecting the track shoes!!! Looks like making these in four steps and then hand tapping the holes leads to no shortcuts so I will have lots of cranking!!!!! And when I take a pic with the iPad oriented left pics come upside down on some forums ??? Will try and remember as it's easier for me to change than for me to change setting in a computer :)

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Have you considered building some jigs for drilling and tapping holes, so that they are consistent and repeatable?????
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Yes. One of the best purchases I make for my mill was a dro. Don't know how I did without one!!! But yes, once I get 4 or six milled out to where I know they will fit, be compatible, and line up with rollers and everything else I will be making some jigs. Probably going to just use a pin and hand rotating for the track links. Would take too much to clamp, and rotate with table. I'm always trying to find a safe more productive way to do repetition ops.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Got a bunch of the small bolts, went with 2-56 size as I'm building 1/14 scale.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Have about 75% of the track links! just picked up this tumbler and wanted to see what it does. (Yea, just had to put something in it and play with it!!!!!) noisy little thing, then it added some loose grit and managed to get to a acceptable level for the animals not leaving:D

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

A start for some simple jigs to make repetitive cuts simpler.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

The pic, forgot to add it.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And every time I get up I have to fight for my chair!!! And the work place, I know it would be easier and more accurate if I were to get a simple cad program to make up some dimensions and drawings but by the time I would teach myself how to use it I would have already made all the drawings by hand. And having the wonderful trait of my moms side of the family of no short term memory (lol!!) I would just have to retrain myself again and again anyways. :lol:

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Your cat is keeping you from building your Cat:confused:

Nice job on it so far! I like the little jigs too. We all have to get it done with the tools we have at hand!

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Got some time to play in the shop/garage so cut some more links. This is enough for one side!! Lots of time spent on these tracks but I finally got them right. I wanted to locate the hinge pins to where the track pads would be able to have some negative play. So if it were to go over a tree limb in conjunction with the rollers it would look pretty scale. (After the second mock up it was finally satisfied with location of bolts and hinge pins. ). :)

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

A closer pic of the tracks. I still have to machine in two slots where the bolts go into the links. Only thing I'm stumped on is if I will turn down link pins from 3/16 to 1/8 edges. 1/8" to go into track links and the 3/16 for the middle to where the drive sprocket will catch. The problem I am having is in the production of them. That is just a lot of turning on the lathe!!! I might go with the idea of 1/8 pin with a spacer of o.d. 3/16 that I could loctite onto the 1/8 pin. Would save a tremendous amount of lathe time for me. They will be stainless whatever I do. Or to use 3/16 with a set screw in one of the links to keep pin in place. ?? What have any of you done??

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Like what you have done so far ...I guess thats why the darn things are so expensive to buy ..sometimes I wonder if its worth the trouble ..lol.Well definatley a challange thats for sure ..I have seen some with C clips ..Really I dont think your going to find an easy way out ..Set a goal to do 2 every day and work on other stuff to break up the monotany ..BTw the faster express has the 2/56 x 1/4..Just bought a 1000 and planning some new tracks for the dozer one day ..keep up the great work

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Knurled the end of the pin & then press fit into the link, adding some red locktite too.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Had some time, got enough pads, links, and bolts for a whole one side, lol!! Still have to decide on the pins. For me it is just a lot of work on the lathe. Working on setting up a coolant system for the lathe, something other than a spray bottle would help.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And made front and rear wheels.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Well got some links put together. I decided to use 3/16 brass with ends turned down to 1/8" for the track links. After some hair pulling I decided the steel was too much / too tuff for my set up and I hate worrying about steel splinters!! And I figured brass will polish as it wears.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

And I wanted to design these to have enough negative play to look realistic while rolling over a log or rock.

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Just another pic close up, I added two holes to mimic real tracks where the bolts extend. And this also made it much easier tapping the holes. Do you guys use blue loctite on final assembly of track links?

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

A shot of the underside. The other side track will be a lot easier now that I have the jigs and tools set up. Plus all the oh $hi@ why did I not wright that down or how did I have the machine set up?!!? As this is fun for me but sometimes I wonder why I don't just make plans:confused:

Re: First build ,cat D11
 

Cooper-nice job. I have been watching this build. These tracks will test your patience and skills. Once you get these done the rest of the build will probably seem easy. Your grousers seem a little thick to me. Are these scale? Keep at it.