Another toy for a BIG boy A CAT 320D excavator

[nine fingers]

This time its a 320D Caterpillar Excavator. I have scaled it down to a 14 to 1 , otherwise it would be to big. With the bucket folded o/a length 680 mm x 230 mm high.
After drawing working details , the first job was to make the links for the tracks. The links are 30% smaller than what was on the Bulldozer, size 8 x 8 x 22mm, 15 mm c/c
of the 3m holes, meat skewers for the pivots.
Drive sprocket 45 mm diam, with 10 teeth. The unit is just together temporary to make sure every thing rotates , will disassemble and finish sanding , plus any other pieces
still to be done. The shoes are next , will be made out of Blackwood , 17 x 6 x 55 mm long , machined to detail.
The client thought I might want some more timber, arrived here this afternoon with half a ute load of blackwood and fiddle back ash ( all Otway timber }. cheers John.

[Repliconics]

This is going to be Good!
Eagerly awaiting further progress.

Cheers
Trev.

[Matador]

Hi nine fingers,

Excellent job so far. Looking forward to your next part
of 320D Caterpillar Excavator.

Cheers Graham.

[KBs PensNmore]

Hi John, could you please tell me how you did the links for the tracks??? I find it fascinating how they look
Kryn

[crowie]

G'Day John, You must have the patience of a saint; another crawler to enjoy..Cheers, Peter

[Keith_1]

John

Looking great.

Lots of intricate parts.

Regards

Keith

[artme]

I like the look of this NF!!!

The patience needed to make those track links boggles the mind!

[Dalboy]

The tracks so far look amazing as many have said You need plenty of patience.

[nine fingers]

Machined the shoes in 8oom lengths from 17x6 blackwood , 5 passes over the router table and then docked to 52mm long.
Set up a strip of 4mm mdf to fit between the links, another 10 mm piece of timber positioned to line up the shoes in the correct position.
Each shoe was glued down with a drop of super glue, most of them were just butted together , a few were positioned a fraction apart to keep the spacing in the correct position.
Cheers John.

[Repliconics]

"BRILLIANTLY FANTASTICLY AWESOMELY WAY KOOL!"

More Please.

Cheers
Trev.

[Keith_1]

"BRILLIANTLY FANTASTICLY AWESOMELY WAY KOOL!"

More Please.

Cheers
Trev.

Regards

Keith

[PLD]

Looking mighty good, John!

[nine fingers]

Some photos of the finished excavator.

[oneye]

Very nice.
Great craftsman ship.

[Repliconics]

Fantastic work as always John.
Your an absolute craftsman.

Cheers
Trev.