Thread: Tractor build

Two builds at once Derek ... WOW !
Got a seat on this one too, Cheers Peter

Originally Posted by crowie

Two builds at once Derek ... WOW !
Got a seat on this one too, Cheers Peter

Three Peter but having fun

Some parts cut out but with the other two projects quite a lot of cutting out today and yesterday


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Remade the main part again today the side panels did not sit flush so rather than fit a shim of wood and also still have a piece of wood the same dimensions for width and height it was easy to do that.
Started glueing this one by fitting the two side panels as well as the front-wheel pillar block all glued together. I have also spent time drilling some of the holes ready for little detail parts. Then went and spent 1 hour searching for someone to supply some thin walnut dowel.


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This is the correct way up with a couple of parts just put in place.


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And on top of all this the garden needs attending

Also today managed to squeeze in a couple of parts for the tractor a control panel and the implement hook up bar.

All the bits of dowel glued in but not yet sanded to length


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Both parts with the panel pegs all at the correct length




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I seem to have spent a lot of time in the workshop the last couple of days yet very little seems to have been done. Today I had a delivery of a load of doweling as some sizes I had run out of. This enabled me to get the axle pins all glued in and when dry I will sand them all to the correct length.

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The seat parts cut and sanded to shape as well as the armrests seen in the second photo laying on the seat parts.

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I also managed to make up the three lights and found a light piece of dowel with a distinctive grain which I felt made the lights have a lens type look about them especially if when I fit them they run horizontally. The round piece above the lights is for a generator well that is what it is called on the plans what we here would call a dynamo

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Now the dowel has been fitted I should be able to start assemblin this group of parts.

Looking good and I just LOVE those lights, would have loved to see a how2 on that?

Originally Posted by htl

Looking good and I just LOVE those lights, would have loved to see a how2 on that?

Thenk you Bruce.

So simple really I just took some dark wood and turned it oversize for the light diameter drilled into the end and stuck a piece of light coloured dowel in the end the hole only needs to be about 1/4" deep. once that has dried clean off the face before turning to the correct diameter and shaping. The inner light coloured dowel ended up only being about 1/8" as any deeper it would show through the side when shaping the rounded shape.
Sorry but did not take any photos of this process.

After seeing them I figured how but just was thinking you may have a short cut or tip for getting it done.
It really is one pretty light and way cheaper than those from a wood parts supplier plus just the right wood to match up.

Got some lathe time today even if it was only making parts for the tractor. I got carried away and did not take any photos of the work as I was doing it so you will have to look at them glued onto the main chassis. I also attached some of the pieces from the other day. There are still parts in the box which need attaching but some of these will not be assembled until nearer the end.




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Looking great but for me tractors have way to many little parts for my nerves to handle.
But I did love making a set a wheels for a log skidder that are a lot like tractor tires, now that was interesting!!!

Originally Posted by htl

Looking great but for me tractors have way to many little parts for my nerves to handle.
But I did love making a set a wheels for a log skidder that are a lot like tractor tires, now that was interesting!!!

Not that many small parts luckily Bruce. At least the models allow me to still use the lathe. I have the pleasure of making the wheels later but I tend to leave these until the end otherwise I will fit them and it will roll around the bench when I don't want it to.

Just about to go and start in the workshop as it 9:20am here at the moment but first I need to check the greenhouse and open the door as it gets very hot in there even with auto window openers

The box of bits which is quite empty now some of these will only get fitted nearer the end of the build.



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Started by making up the base for the steering wheel shaft support I have found that using a milling cutter in a cross vice really helped with cutting out the channel in a small part.



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Tried the same on a piece from the wood that I prepared for the front grill as I needed to see how a small milling cutter would perform in an 1/2" deep slot. well, it worked well all be it that the cutter was too large at 1/8" so now waiting for a couple of new ones. I wanted a spare just in case anything happens to one of them as they are small.


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Could not do the grill so started the top panels



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Followed by the brake for the take-off drum



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Lots more small parts for the engine compartment some are a little small as can be seen from the 6" ruler placed below them. The lager piece below that is the wood for the front grill, plenty of spare in case it goes wrong.


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There they are them little itty bitty teeny weeny parts I was talking about earlier. LOL

The very small pieces on the right are something I added as they make extra support for the other piece just below them.

I now can't do much on the engine bay area until the milling cutters arrive as I need to complete the grill and fit that in place