?? Tank tracks ??

**TTIT** · 8th January 2009, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by HandyAndrea

If your grandson is quite young, and wants the tank to be able to work (i.e., run), you could make a rotating turret and stationary tracks which LOOK realistic, but contain concealed, running, wheels in the underside. His imagination will supply the rest. If he is older, and wants a proper, working model, then that, of course, is a different kettle of fish.

His other grandfather collects REAL army vehicles so a bit of authenticity is a must - but he doesn't have a tank - - -yet!

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

TTIT
Whatever you end up doing we demand photos

Otherwise we'll send the boys around

if you need a photo of the tape I think skew is talking about, let me know and I'll take a piccy and post it
actually here's a link to Lincraft

We didn't end up having much time so we only got the body cut out today. He insisted on seeing the thicknessing sander in action so we wasted time playing with that first - - - - - and climbing the mahogany tree - - - - - - and eating chocolates - - - - - gawd they're so much fun when ya can give 'em back!!!

**HandyAndrea** · 8th January 2009, 10:17 PM

- - - - gawd they're so much fun when ya can give 'em back!!!

Aren't they though??? My Grandies are older teenagers now, and I'm still having the BEST fun with them!

Don't bother competing with the other Grandpa. I bet he won't let your little grandie play with his big toys. I'd go with wrapping and glueing some sort of toothed belt to the outside of a flattened elipse which has deep, elongated mortise-type grooves cut into the underside to fit a pair of wheels on axles. One of those each side gives you both appearance and functionality. Trying to get a proper track built first time will drive you crazy and Grandie won't have his toy! While he's playing with that one, try out tracks for No. 2 tank.

I googled "wooden army tanks", and came up with these http://www.rudystoys.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=5447
www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=167178

The first is good for a young-un to play with, without getting into frustrating problems with tracks coming off. The second is a model - for a careful child who likes to look at his toys, not play with them!

**jatt** · 9th January 2009, 07:09 AM

I would do what was posted already, ie just make it with four wheels like a standard car.

Personnaly I would make something like this.

www.lancers.org.au/site/Ferret_Scout_Car.asp

This site has a good photo. Aussie Army had something similar years ago. Still looks the goods. Easier to make than a tracked vehicle.

If it has to be tracked then I would probably source my tracks first, no issues with joining them. Perhaps harrass places like photocopy & sewing machine repair joints. Quite often they usually have a "graveyard" of dead machines out the back or some crappy toothed belts lying around.

**Wood Butcher** · 11th January 2009, 10:10 PM

Have a look at this site. Always wanted to make one myself

http://www.gizmology.net/tanks.htm

**tea lady** · 11th January 2009, 10:33 PM

What about making links held together with hat elastic or similar. Just rectangles with two lines of holes going through sideways like on a bracelet that fits over cog like wheels. I hope you can understand my vague description.

Might have to do a drawing somehow.

**Fantapantz** · 12th January 2009, 08:35 PM

I don't really think you need to worry about the tracks. Representation is the main key with kids. Five wheels either side would suffice.

Concentrate more on the whiz-bang.

How about a turret that cAn actually fire something, 30mm lengths of 8mm dowel for instance. Thats a toy that will be used and abused, especially if you can make two so he can set up the plastic toy soldiers with a friend and have a war.

Even supply safety glasses to minimise the risk (paint the frames of the glasses in camouflage with him to increase bonding, even go to the extent of getting as few books on army gear for camouflage patterns).

Hope of got you thinking.

Cheers

**TTIT** · 12th January 2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by jatt

I would do what was posted already, ie just make it with four wheels like a standard car.

Personnaly I would make something like this.

www.lancers.org.au/site/Ferret_Scout_Car.asp

This site has a good photo. Aussie Army had something similar years ago. Still looks the goods. Easier to make than a tracked vehicle.............

The 4yo grand-daughter was part of the deal as well today so we had a look on the net and decided the Ferret-Scout was a good idea - hard keeping your eyes on both of them at once so simplicity seemed the key. Got most of it done - just have to make some wheels and glue the side boxes in between the wheels next time he visits. Nothing flash - only has to meet the specifications of a 7yo - just good fun spending time with the munchkins.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 12th January 2009, 11:27 PM

Looks good! Can we expect to see a full platoon of them appearing?

**HandyAndrea** · 13th January 2009, 09:01 PM

For an adult, you could make it on the fibreglass body of the dune buggy my son used to own - I think it was VW or Fiat based. Fun at the neighbourhood Barbie, indeed!!

**artme** · 14th January 2009, 12:13 AM

That "ribbon" or "tape" to which Skew refers is called Bias Binding.

**tea lady** · 16th January 2009, 11:12 AM

Maybe you could make one a bit like this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/7829736.stm

**AUSSIE** · 16th January 2009, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by tea lady

Maybe you could make one a bit like this.

//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7829736.stm

Tea lady.
I cant get site to come up.
Says not found

**chrisb691** · 16th January 2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by AUSSIE

Tea lady.
I cant get site to come up.
Says not found

Try this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/7829736.stm

**tea lady** · 16th January 2009, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by chrisb691

Try this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/7829736.stm

Ta. Its only a joke really.

**TTIT** · 17th January 2009, 12:19 AM

Got some shed time without little sister hanging around today so we got it finished. He didn't want to wait for the black paint on the wheels to dry though - his mum will kill me if it leaves tracks on her polished floors

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