Re: Update - New Australian Jagdpanther [TANKS]

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-rctankcombat.com>]

Steve Tyng wrote:
> 
> As to why Frank has not reported this phenomenon with his tracks.
> All I can think of is that his rivets are applying enough compression
> on the pieces located over the belt joint to keep the belt clamped
> tight enough to the belt from spreading apart.  If the rivets ever
> loosen up, you'll have no tension on the friction drive thus giving
> you a nice target to shoot at.
> 

I haven't reported that problem, because my years of boat-building 
experience has taught me how to make a proper scarf joint ;-)

Your diagram only showed a scarf joint that was 4 treads long, whereas 
my scarf joint is 8 or 9 treads long. The extra length spreads the load 
over a greater area, allowing more rivets to handle the load.

Also, you used brads to "attach" your treads, which can easily bend 
under the sheer load exerted by the belt.  The 1/8 aluminium rivets that 
I used are far stronger under a sheer load and therefore prevent the 
treads from twisting.

Had you used wooden dowels (1/8" or 1/4") or even wood screws to secure 
the treads, you would not have seen any expansion in the scarf joint 
either.  In fact, had you used wooden dowels, you would have realized 
that the glue wasn't really necessary and that instead of applying 
copious amounts of goop, you could have simply applied a little wood 
glue to each peg and pounded them into place or screwed them together.

In summary, your mistake was reaching for a brad nailer, instead of a drill.

        Frank "Craftsmanship Takes A Little Longer" Pittelli