Cat 340D Excavator build

[crueby]

Some more work done on the excavator - working on the linkages from the cylinder to the bucket. The side links were milled from flat bar stock on the rotary table:





The solid link from there to the bucket is being pieced up from a thicker piece of flat bar and two round bars with slots milled in. They will be silver soldered together and then more shaping done.

[crueby]

Got the bearings and rods for the bucket links made...





and silver soldered up the blank for the end link, ready for further shaping:

[crueby]

End of the link shaped...

[crueby]

This morning got the pivot rods threaded and nuts made, and installed the motor in the stick. Here is a quick video of the motion test for the bucket linkage - better get started on the bucket!


https://youtu.be/qg6FHjgabfc

[crueby]

Been a bit since I've made any progress on this build, it is still happening, but I've been focussed on the final parts for my Stanley engine model, should be back on the excavator next week. I got some steel plate for the bucket, need to make up a bending form for the curved center section, then will trace the actual part to cut the sides out. Most likely it will be all silver soldered together since I do not have equipment or the know-how to weld it.

[crueby]

Getting back on the excavator build finally - started with some 3/32" steel flat stock, and bent the center section of the bucket over a wood form. The side plates are rough cut. The parts will be silver soldered together once ready. Still a number of pieces to shape out...

[crueby]

Got the bucket shell silver soldered up today, and the extra metal on the outside ground off:





Next will shape in the open part of the sides, and start adding the plates on the outside....