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Mattracks help!!! - 12/13/2007 5:54:59 AM   
kent_man


 

Posts: 127
Joined: 11/30/2007
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Any way to take tank parts to consturct a mattracks style track for a savage. Like this. I know they make a crappy radio shack version. Click here. I want mine to be like this.

I know nothing about tanks, and was just wondering if something like this could be made that would be durable. Not planning on jumping with them just want to play in the snow, I was thinking of putting skis on the front too.

I posted this in the tank forum first, they didn't seem to interested.

Thanks,

kent_man

_____________________________

Savage X 4.6, RC18T Factory Team Kit with 6800 mamba, RC18R Niteline
       Post #: 1

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/13/2007 1:05:47 PM   
rickster3057


 

Posts: 181
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: weymouth, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hi kent man, go to electric cars, bugies and truggies forum look for truck conversion,its an rc truck converted using tank parts, iam working on the mattraks idea for my savage 21,using heg long parts , i have all the important detailed pictures just have to make the triangular plate to fit the idler wheels and tracks, i wrote to mattracks but they wernt interested, and the shack truck is crap,
Watch this space.
heres a picture of the tracks

Rick.

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       Post #: 2

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/13/2007 2:13:33 PM   
Reiko



Posts: 3069
Joined: 4/15/2005
From: Liverwurst, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Kent.

This is certainly a good place to post about your ideas.

Rickster has a great conversion there! His thread is located here.

I have also considered making a track conversion for my truck which is unfinished, and the Mattracks website was my original inspiration. There is a model tank supplier called Mato Toys International which has sent me some information on metal tank tracks, drive wheels and idler wheels. They answer questions quickly, and have many plastic and metal track sizes for different tank scales.

Good luck with your project, and keep us up on your progress


_____________________________

~Reiko~ RCU Car Forums Moderator

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_377662/tm.htm

(in reply to kent_man)
       Post #: 3

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/14/2007 12:55:52 AM   
kent_man


 

Posts: 127
Joined: 11/30/2007
From: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the info guys. I'm just getting into RC and really don't have experience with fabbing new parts, but I like modding and tinkering with things so I'll give it whirl. I had a car(Dodge SRT-4) that I was constantly throwing parts on to make it faster, but I traded it last Feb(too expensive to break, and it got me into too much trouble). I had always been interested in RC and still have a kyosho boat from when I was 12. Anyways I just recently started looking into RC and realized that it's way more than just buying a car and driving it around. It's what's going on behind the scenes that really intrests me, the building, fixing, modding, and customizing that makes it enjoyble. Well I went off on a tangent there but I think my dad has a mill of some sort in his garage. So I may be able to make parts I need. If there are any other resources that could help me just let me know.

Thanks,

kent_man

_____________________________

Savage X 4.6, RC18T Factory Team Kit with 6800 mamba, RC18R Niteline

(in reply to Reiko)
       Post #: 4

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/14/2007 11:19:04 AM   
rickster3057


 

Posts: 181
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: weymouth, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		hi kent-man,
I know what you mean about the fun part or RC being the modding and building i ust have made about 20 aircraft but never really liked flying them,LOL,
but dont be put off modding because you dont ave the tools, i do all my building in an 8 foot by 6 foot shed and the only tools i have are a pillar drill and hand tools.
got some pictures of the the mattracks design ,looks complicated to try and copy but i found the 4,us design just went in the shed and started building it out of brass, i reckon with a simple bit of braising and some tank parts it would be easy and fun to build.

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       Post #: 5

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 3:13:19 AM   
cflight


 

Posts: 287
Joined: 1/23/2007
From: sanford, ME, USA
Status: offline 		Thank You Rickster3057 for the pics!
I've been thinking about a trax setup too.
If you look into tracks , http://www.matotoys.com/canada/product_info.php?products_id=143
Would a 1/16 tank track at all four corners support a 13lb. truck in snow? I think 1:8 sled tracks would fit this aplication better.

Can anyone offer info on the width/length of a track on scale tanks?

(in reply to rickster3057)
       Post #: 6

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 11:04:48 AM   
rickster3057


 

Posts: 181
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: weymouth, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hey Kent-man, surely its not the scale of the tracks that matter, its the weight and speed the tracks can travel at, generally tanks whether they be 1/16 or 1/8 scale are geared down to travel at scale speeds the problem with the mattraxs design is when you retrofit to a nitro or electric truck the torque and speed the motor turns the wheels has to be translated to tracks.
If you compare the weight of the wheels and then the weight of the tracks there is a big difference, the design has to take into account the torque and power transmitted to the track drive train and the suspension setup,take for instance a savage 21, at full power the wheels expand by 3 inches, i would imagine 1/8 tracks trying to cope with that much power would destroy themselves, with 1/16 tracks they are light and very flexible which would soak up alot of the torque, as for supporting the weight the suspension system and track flexability would cope with that, in the picture of the mattraxs design you can see a long bar ,this is fitted to the underside of the axle stub to counter the turning torque of the drive train.
I have the tracks and the design with suspension designed already just waiting for the drive sprocket, i should have a testable unit ready by january which i aim to attach and run at full tilt on my savage a distruction test to be sure, if you can wait, the resuilts will give us a better idea of hopw to build them what do you think.
Rickster

(in reply to cflight)
       Post #: 7

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 7:25:46 PM   
cflight


 

Posts: 287
Joined: 1/23/2007
From: sanford, ME, USA
Status: offline 		I look forward to following your development of trax for your savage!
I'm planning to build a set for an LST2.
The design I have in mind strays from the triangle, to look more like a diamond tilted forward.
I've cotinued to look into 1:16 tracks for Hen Long tanks, but cant find any middle wheels?
Can you point me in the direction of finding the follower wheels that keep the track on track in between the drive wheel and idler wheel?
I know they say all parts are available for the HL tanks, but I can't find these wheels.

May I also hear your comments on how you plan to mount the drive wheel to the hex and your plans for a torque bar?
I'm thinking a strip of sheet metal connected from the rear of the track assembly to the spindle steering arm will surfice, though putting a bit of torque on the spindle's arm.

(in reply to rickster3057)
       Post #: 8

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 7:54:12 PM   
cflight


 

Posts: 287
Joined: 1/23/2007
From: sanford, ME, USA
Status: offline 		At this point I'm thinking these tracks, for the tiger
http://www.matotoys.com/canada/product_info.php?cPath=26_43_34&products_id=74
and a few sets of metal drive/idler wheels, for the tiger
http://www.matotoys.com/canada/product_info.php?cPath=26_43_33_37&products_id=131

As for gearing I'm thinking 15-20mph, with the reduction of the tire being replaced by a drive wheel that has to rotate x amount of times to complete one full track rotation verying by track length. Stated something and yet said nothing!

(in reply to cflight)
       Post #: 9

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 9:43:30 PM   
rickster3057


 

Posts: 181
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: weymouth, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hi cflight,
Thanks for your comments i will post pictures as i progress, sorry about the delay in this reply, I had a virus to get off my computer.
Right, back to your last thread,by the way those tracks you have linked to, would work fine, you can get the idler/follower wheels from ebay very cheap, just type in heng long tanks and you should find the idler wheels in plastic and metal types, try plastic first,they are cheap and you wont mind destroying them.
As for mounting the drive sprocket to the hex nut, i am going to buy the aluminium version, drill out the centre then mill the hex shape into the back of the drive sprocket., I am going to run a central triangular section with the drive sprocket at the top and three sets, in pairs, of idler wheels,one side of the triangle will be missing and the other hinged, the side that is missing i am going to mount an Rc truck shock for track tension.
As for the torque bar i aim going to use the same if not very near to the matrax system, this will be strong rubber in square aluminium stock.the rubber will be drilled and a stainless stell thread glued in this will be mounted to the triangle section ,the box section will have a small arm attached and this will be attached to the drive axle stubb holder.again your idea will be quicker ,easier and cheaper, i am a fanatic hen it comes to realis and i want to follow the mattrax ide as close as possible.
I hope thsi answers all you questions,
Rick.

(in reply to cflight)
       Post #: 10

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/17/2007 11:04:01 PM   
cflight


 

Posts: 287
Joined: 1/23/2007
From: sanford, ME, USA
Status: offline 		Thank you again Rickster, your setup sounds more intracate. Good luck!
I'm opting for simplicity, the track assembly will be solid with one adjustable wheel for tentioning, but all suspention will be left to the A-arm.
I'm a little confused on your torque bar arrangment, but then again somethings are better explained by a pic.
Milling a hex into the drive wheel is optimal, though not having any way to do this, I think I'll notch the back of the drive wheel for the axle pin and secure the drive wheel with a bolt through design as LST2 axles are machined for a set screw inside to hold the axle pin.
I verymuch apreciate your input and look forward to following your progress.

(in reply to rickster3057)
       Post #: 11

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/18/2007 4:41:39 PM   
rickster3057


 

Posts: 181
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: weymouth, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hi cflght thank you again for you kind comments,your idea notching the back of the drive sprocket to take the pin,what an excellent idea and one i would like to use in place of milling the back for the hex nut, if Thats okey with you,??
Thanks.
Rick.

(in reply to cflight)
       Post #: 12

RE: Mattracks help!!! - 12/18/2007 7:48:27 PM   
cflight


 

Posts: 287
Joined: 1/23/2007
From: sanford, ME, USA
Status: offline 		No problem here, you can let us know how it works out on the savage axle. Does the savage axle have a threaded inside?
What components are you using?
From looking at pics of the drive and idler wheels for a HL tiger, it looks as though my axle will or can be fitted inside the drive hub if it is mounted face in. As for mounting the idler it appears that a 1/8" or larger airplane landing gear shaft should do the trick.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXD822&P=0
To solve the missing follower wheels, I'm thinking, airplane tail wheels with a nylon bushing in between.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK159&P=0
Drilled out to axle shaft diameter and lubed with white lithium or moly grease, should run free.
These shafts will also make it easy to adjust one follower wheel to tention the track. I'll probably go larger on the shaft diameter.
All in all, I'll have 5 wheels total, two at the top (drive wheels, the rear being powered), two tail wheel sets down the front of the track, and an idler wheel at the very rear. Again this will look something like the pic above, a diamond on its side leaning forward with a set of rubber wheels in the front section stretching the track. All mounted to a peice of aluminum sheet metal.
Ideas?

(in reply to rickster3057)