LVT 4 build

[GreenAmphibian]

Here is a picture of what I am doing to put the brass grousers on the metal track. The track is made of Zink and Tin, so it will not solder or silver solder. What I am doing is drilling two small holes in already existing holes in the track shoe. I am also drilling corresponding holes in a section of brass strapping. I then put the two brass brads through the lined up holes and solder them on the inside of the track shoe so that they wont pull out and keep the brass strap tight against the track shoe. I then solder the grouser to the strapping. I recheck the brads to make sure there is enough solder on them so it flows into the holes and everything is tight. It is taking time, but I think it should hold and not break the track shoe like the plastic ones. I guess I have a job on my hands now.

[nickmow]

Man alive Herman thats Nuts !! ) well ok dedicated bordering on madness..... It also looks like a pretty robust solution to the grouser problem, thanks for sharing, Problem is now (its 05:40) over here and Im off to work soon, and rather than concentrating on the job Im gonna be mulling over LVT tracks all day , and where as my crewmate yesterday who is ex Navy was wholly interested in my Amphibious vehicle based ramblings, and wants to come over to mine to play RC tanks I fear todays crewy is going to be bored senseless by it...mind you she is the cutest Paramedic on the station......maybe I shouldnt show her the pictures LOL...
Think I should have all my wheels and therefore both tracks on by Tommorow night, ready for a run up then a Bouancy/Leak test.

Andy I'll get round to getting you some piccies of how I got the wheels mounted soon mate, Honest

[littletankman]

Hi Herman I toyed with that method but couldnt get them to hold . Probally just me , they do look strong mate . And thanks Nick.

Andy

[GreenAmphibian]

Andy,
The track shoes have two holes in them from casting that do not go all the way through the shoe. I drilled a small hole in them that the the brads have to be pounded through. The heads on the brads keep them from pulling through the brass strapping and the solder on them in the big holes locks everything in place. I then soldered the grousers on and then ground the brads flush on the back side. Seems quite strong, but still waiting on more track to do testing before I modify any more sections. I only have 23 done out of 96 needed, but those are only the extra ones I had on hand. I will post more when I finish testing.

Herman

[GreenAmphibian]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, work has been taking precedence over model building with the start of school coming up shortly. I have one complete side of track finished and hope to start on the other one this week. This is taking a LOT of time to do, but is a big improvement in strength. I hope the end result is going to be worth it. It will look good as a static display if it doesn't.

Herman

[GreenAmphibian]

I have finished the track modifications. They work in a very superior fashion. I even had it running on concrete up and down the driveway. I did find out that there is one problem however. I need to have a stronger spring in the track adjusters for the metal track. During spins or reversing they have a tendency to flex to much and allow to much slack in the track and it will then throw one of them, depending on which one is in reverse. Simple cure to replace a spring and much better performance all the way around. Lot of time invested, but it was well worth it in the end. I will post pictures when I take some.

Herman

[GreenAmphibian]

Here are some pictures of some added details and the modified track adjusters and metal tracks.

[littletankman]

Hi Herman looking good mate .

Andy

[GreenAmphibian]

Well, here is the promised video. Nestle, the dog, was only used to show scale, and no fish or dogs were hurt in making this film. The link is;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK19_bnEa_k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you wish to see it.

[nickmow]

It just gets better and the enormous sea monster attack is the icing on the cake ! Dogs are great aint they !. Great stuff Herman, very impressed and proud of your model there mate, Good to hear the new track is resilient and doing just what its meant to, to really good effect.
thanks for sharing mate
Nick