My own (battle) tank

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Hey guys, for awhile I have been kicking around the idea of clearing out the garage and build my own tank. I have a wierd facination with them (sounds, smells, etc) and I always wanted to build one.   What Iam thinking is to build somthing not quite the size of a real tank but in a more manageble compact size that can atleast carry me and a friend. Iam positive I can build a hull and everthing but what I may get screwed up on is building the track and transmission part. I have no clue how a tanks tranny works and I would'nt know were to start on making my own track.  I have scowered the internet for realted subjects to only find 1:6 sclae RC tanks shoot paintballs and 1:5 scale replicas that one occupant can ride in (and are made of wood)  Iam pretty much after the real deal but minus the 120mm gun...  Guys have any ideas or direction?FLASH ME.... I'm a welder
Reply:When you start this, I want to see pictures!  At the same time, I'll point you to this!
Reply:Sounds like an ambitious project but a good one :-).What about the drive train from a track skid steer, Bobcat or similar....Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by mrmikeySounds like an ambitious project but a good one :-).What about the drive train from a track skid steer, Bobcat or similar....Mike
Reply:trans and treads from a small dozer perhaps?  or even a small excavator?  The rubber pad kind would probably be the best route.  If you don't/can't go the dozer/excavator route I'm thinking something along the lines of a hydraulic drive like on a ztr mower just a bit bigger  If we're thinking of the same replica one made of wood I don't see how a design like that wouldn't work, just make it out of sheet metal or plate . . . plus you can drive and your buddy can operate the turret!haha looks like Billdacat beat me too it on the hydraulics . . . guess I shouldn't have been typing and researching at the same time :-\Last edited by Brink, M.E.; 07-23-2009 at 07:50 AM.Reason: slow on my partMikeConstans Fides et IntegritasLincoln Weldanpower 150 ACAirco Aircomatic MIGet CAV II w/ spoolgunMillermatic 30a wirefeeder
Reply:My suggestion would be to work with an existing system. I think an old dozer  ( CAT D3, D4) or track loader (CAT 941) would get you what you need. Those are probably about the right size as compared to larger machines.This would give you your drive train, track, final drives, tranny, etc, but generally no road wheels. That you could either do with out like on the original machine, or fab it so its more like a tank.A good used equipment yard would be the best starting point. They're a bit tough to find usually, but there if you look hard and you may have to travel a bit.Sounds like an interesting project.
Reply:Since you asked  there are a lot of in depth videos on this complete buildup (this is only part 4)youtube has other homebuilt tank videos,but none as detailed as this guysLast edited by mudbugone; 07-23-2009 at 10:32 AM.
Reply:Here's another link about building your own  http://www.scaledtanks.com/news.php ( you must signup to view this site )and part #1 of the youtube video of the ShermanLast edited by mudbugone; 07-23-2009 at 10:47 AM.
Reply:However you do this it's going to be great!  I hope you do it because I know I want to see how it turns out.The video's above make it look like fun!  A lot of thinking was involved on that little project.
Reply:if you do it,  please get someone in the scenario paintball community involved.  those guys LOVE to have awsome props in big games.  and you would have a blast even if your not into getting shot up yourself.   you'll get to drive around and play war from the safety of your vehicle while crazy guys run all around in period uniforms and stuff.  smoke gernades, nerf bazookas, etc...
Reply:Hows this for fun--http://www.funtrak.co.uk/movies.phpAs far as drive options go.... The size you build will determine that.  I've got an old Hustler 6 wheeler that has controls similar to a tank--two levers .... motor drives a torque converter which is connected to the trans-axle? which drives all the chains and you can order tracks for it. A Bobcat with tracks would be the next step up...Then a small dozer....or a big one--LOLLast edited by mudbugone; 07-23-2009 at 11:12 AM.
Reply:Well, he could always look up the tank design from Leonardo daVinci, and figure out a way to motorize it.  I believe the original design was a geared crankshaft with a man cranking the wheels - slow and heavy, but it worked.
Reply:Hey thanks for all hte replys everyone!  Iam very excited about this project. Iam not going to lie here, all the initial planning, creation, and gathering of resources and materials could take a few years max but I have had this idea running around in my head ever since I joined the military...And no Iam not a tanker but Iam a welder and therefore I plan on building mine =)   Anyhow, I would like to start the buildup on a exsisting patform such as a dozer or somthing but there are a few problems with this. 1. I do not want my community to think Iam trying to do a repeat of the Granby, Co "killdozer" incident. Although what that man built was cool and creative he could have used that talent for good and he did not.  2. I live in a split level one car attached garage home. I cannot fit a D9 anywhere on my property lol.  p.s. I definantly plan on getting involved with senerio war games like paintabll, airsoft, etc. I love that stuff! So here is were Iam at gents. For you guys who work agriculture or construction what are some of the smaller tracked vehicles I should look for? I can hunt down used equipment i just have to know what to look for, know what I mean?  I seen a pic the other day of a antique tactor that was about the size of a small  asphalt roller or toyota pickup, anyone know who makes somthing like that?Last edited by Troy44B; 07-24-2009 at 01:13 AM.FLASH ME.... I'm a welder
Reply:what about using the engine, tranny and rear end out of something like an S-10 and just using turning brakes?  Maybe get some used tracks for a skid steer, or two sets so you can make them long enough.  Or even just use a rear end driven by a hydraulic motor and turning brakes.  You wouldn't have to shift from drive to reverse then and you could get all the reduction you might need.
Reply:Around here they have tracked vehicles that are stripped down and have big hydraulic booms mounted on them with big circular saws on the ends for triming power line right of ways. I've seen similar stripped down chassis assemblies used for all sorts of timber and oilfield vehicles. They resemble tanks without their armour or turrets.I don't know what they are called or who makes them,but I've seen them for sale used from time to time. If I see another one I'll see exactly what it's called and find a manufacturer. These things have a wider footprint than a dozer and always appeared to be more nimble than something used for earth moving.Got it---  http://www.marshbuggies.com/html/swamp.htmlI'm sure these guys aren't the only manufacturers of similar vehicles...I've seen these things way smaller in size,down to the size of a car.Last edited by mudbugone; 07-24-2009 at 08:42 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugoneAround here they have tracked vehicles that are stripped down and have big hydraulic booms mounted on them with big circular saws on the ends for triming power line right of ways. I've seen similar stripped down chassis assemblies used for all sorts of timber and oilfield vehicles. They resemble tanks without their armour or turrets.I don't know what they are called or who makes them,but I've seen them for sale used from time to time. If I see another one I'll see exactly what it's called and find a manufacturer. These things have a wider footprint than a dozer and always appeared to be more nimble than something used for earth moving.Got it---  http://www.marshbuggies.com/html/swamp.htmlI'm sure these guys aren't the only manufacturers of similar vehicles...I've seen these things way smaller in size,down to the size of a car.
Reply:Originally Posted by Troy44B  Iam pretty much after the real deal but minus the 120mm gun...  Guys have any ideas or direction?
Reply:http://www.howeandhowe.com/ built one a few years ago and now I think they have a military contract.  look for video of ripsaw on youtube.  ripsaw 1 is the garage built one.  the new ones are military funded and radio controlledErnie
Reply:That's a pretty cool machine... If it was armed with the gatling gun like they used in Viet Nam for "Puff the Magic Dragon" planes...That would sure be a scary weapon...More Scary I should say... I like it.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadi guess we thinks differently...after i got pissed off on the ride to work today i was getting ready to design a hood mount for my bmw for a 120 mm gun..
Reply:I think you want to go the ripsaw route.  I know I do!
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyWeldbead, ya know they did something like that in the new version of "Death Race," and one of the vehicles WAS a BMW...http://img267.imageshack.us/i/bmw004406iy2.jpg/
Reply:Track this guy down for his plans... or buy one of these...
Reply:Cool movie, wasn't it?  I have the DVD, and watched all the special sections describing how the cars were made, what needed to be done to them .... By the way, those guys are using REAL ammunition and weaponry in that movie.  I thought the "Monster" Mustang was a lot better than the original Corvette, anyway ......www.imcdb.com (Internet Movie Car Data base) - ya can look up all sorts of neat stuff there, including all the Mad Max vehicles, too.Here's a thought: get ahold of one of the lifted golf carts or a John Deere gator, and armor-plate the sucker ......Last edited by SpyGuy; 07-25-2009 at 11:54 PM.
Reply:You should build a quad to match it like the one in Surviving the GameMikeConstans Fides et IntegritasLincoln Weldanpower 150 ACAirco Aircomatic MIGet CAV II w/ spoolgunMillermatic 30a wirefeederOriginally Posted by SpyGuyCool movie, wasn't it?  I have the DVD, and watched all the special sections describing how the cars were made, what needed to be done to them .... By the way, those guys are using REAL ammunition and weaponry in that movie.  I thought the "Monster" Mustang was a lot better than the original Corvette, anyway ......www.imcdb.com (Internet Movie Car Data base) - ya can look up all sorts of neat stuff there, including all the Mad Max vehicles, too.Here's a thought: get ahold of one of the lifted golf carts or a John Deere gator, and armor-plate the sucker ......
Reply:you could make tracks out of #80 roller chain with flat bar pads welded on
Reply:i'd be tempted to start with an old skid steer.the scenario paintball crown will not want something that goes very fast or is very heavy or hard on the ground.  but a small skid steer minus the bucket would probably work.  at least it could donate it's hystat driveline, which could be put into a more accomodating frame.Last edited by dsergison; 07-29-2009 at 01:03 PM.
Reply:Disguise it as a BBQ? ~or~ disguise a BBQ as a tank... wait, I'm confused. http://www.steelsoldiers.com/trailer...rman-tank.htmlCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Troy, take a look at some of the hydraulics at www.surpluscenter.com.  I remember seeing some wheel motors and valving that would work.I don't know what building they are in but I think there is a crew of people that restore the tanks and howitzers at Aberdeen.  I know that when I was there last year there was a whole slew of tanks off of the road between the welding school house and the machining school house on Havre de Grace Rd.