Halftrack Lunchbox

[gothcat]

I have been playing around with an idea of making a halftrack lunchbox. Just trying to work out a few things before i purchase some bits

1) What scale the tank for the rear would be ?

2) Either use the tank for steering and lock the front wheels or the reverse ?

3) Will my other half kill me for more RC stuff entering the house ?

4) Has it been done before ?

I have already been pricing up the parts and digging through my spares tub

[SteelRat]

Fantastic idea!

I reckon just converting the rear wheel to tracks would be the simplest solution and leaving the front as normal steering wheels.

Yes your missus will almost certianly kill you, but worth it imo.

If it has been done before, I've never heard of it (but that doesn't really tell you anything )

[gothcat]

Fantastic idea!

I reckon just converting the rear wheel to tracks would be the simplest solution and leaving the front as normal steering wheels.

Yes your missus will almost certianly kill you, but worth it imo.

If it has been done before, I've never heard of it (but that doesn't really tell you anything )

Well have been productive and looking at cheap RC tanks (while at work) and also working out the best way to contruct it. I like the idea of having the tracks set and turning with the front wheels. I may not end up a pure Lunchbox / Pumpkin hybrid as i have a load of RC parts lying round (crawler, ansmann royal fash etc) but i think either a lunchbox or pumpkin bodyshell is a must

My missus is not bothered as long as i keep it all hidden away in the attic (my hobby room 30' x 17' almost finished will post pictures) and if she can have a go as well. Right suppose i better get back to work. Oh the joys of working in IT

[backtomyroots]

Just do this (Not Mine).

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...992&sid=140

[gothcat]

Very nice indeed

Thought about that, but then the half track entered my mind

[Jonny Retro]

I'd be worried about the ability to steer if you had the tracks both permanently driven - the turning circle on a Lunchkin is pretty poor as it is.

I don't know how practical it is to have a single motor drive & a diff on on tracks - I like SteelRat's idea of retaining the Lunchkin gearbox - "just" make up new hub/roadwheels, then some sort of carrier for more wheels fitted under the battery compartment? And reposition the battery way back so you can still wheelie

[skarecrow]

do a search for Mattrax its for 1:1 scale but i have seen them on ebay for 2wd and 4wd rc 2wd being what you are wanting to do

[gothcat]

Well my idea may have to take a back burner even before I have picked up a screwdriver. Having to sort out visitation rights with regards to seeing my son (who loves RC) so a lot of my money will go to a solicitor, but seeing my son is worth everything I have

I am going to see what I can build from all my spare parts, I have a full metal chassis from a 1/8th HSP rock crawler, various size shocks, tyres & wheels from mini up to royal flash and plenty of other bits Going to get a small 1:30 th sherman tank and see what I can build from there. One issue I may have is the speed of the tank and being able to speed it up without melting the gears Have read up on half tracks and its the rear tracks that provide the power and the front end for the steering. Like I have mentioned before its my goal to either have a Pumpkin or a Lunchbox bodyshell

I am sure if I get stuck with any part of the build someone on here will come to my rescue

[markbt73]

Here's an idea: Drive the tracks thru the standard gearbox, steer with the front wheels, leave the diff open, and add a second servo and little brake shoes to slow one track down to assist with steering. Similar to "turning brakes" on a sandrail, to mimic the skid-steer effect of something like a Bobcat. Turn left, the left track slows down, which makes the right track speed up, and vice versa to the right.

I was playing around a while ago with adding turning brakes to either a 'Box or a Grasshopper, but it never got past the idea stage... Google "turning bakes" and you'll see how it works on 1:1 sandrails.

[TWINSET]

Here's an idea: Drive the tracks thru the standard gearbox, steer with the front wheels, leave the diff open, and add a second servo and little brake shoes to slow one track down to assist with steering. Similar to "turning brakes" on a sandrail, to mimic the skid-steer effect of something like a Bobcat. Turn left, the left track slows down, which makes the right track speed up, and vice versa to the right.

I was playing around a while ago with adding turning brakes to either a 'Box or a Grasshopper, but it never got past the idea stage... Google "turning bakes" and you'll see how it works on 1:1 sandrails.

The only trouble with skidding the tracks is that it'll force the tyres sideways instead of in an arc - you really need an open diff with the front wheels doing the steering and the tracks 'diffed' in response.

Turning brakes on a single rear wheel is ok because the locked wheel becomes the fulcrum, but if you're gonna lock the tracks then the fulcrum goes towards the centre of the vehicle and starts scrubbing the front tyres

Locking or slowing one track on it's own would work, but then all you've really got is a driver-operated diff

WWII Halftrack;

Articulated tracked rear end;

[commiedoor]

is it for show or go ? if its only to run about then maybe an fwd or the front half of a 4wd truck/buggy/onroady and just have the track set as a lazy axel and drive of the front wheels ? . if you want to put it over rough ground and want it to drive the tracks i would go for the tank gearbox and try to work the steering of the speed control for each motor ei old 1/16 tamiya tank style ? just my two bobsworth .. im busy making a prime mover out of a bullhead body and a hornet chassis with a spare diff thrown in ! lol

[gothcat]

Its go to be a rough and ready build from all the spare parts i have and then run it for laughs and just for ******* and giggles. If it proves to be a good runner i may build another but not from scrap (wallet left at door) I am mainly interested in the tracks providing the power and the front for the steering (same worries as TWINSET about scrubbing the tyres). Only parts i am going to have to buy is the tank

and the bodyshell as i have everything else. Just trying to find what the gears are like inside the tank so i can increase the speed. If any one has one of these and doesn't mind opening it up and taking a few pictures i would be very grateful. I don't care if this experimental build explodes in my face after the first run or shakes its self to bits as it can be recycled into something else Just trying to decide whether to spray it all luchbox yellow or go with a different paint job. Will be starting the build soon and will post pictures as i go along.

EDIT: Good friend "crazyhare" has kindly donated a Pumpkin bodyshell for the build

[commiedoor]

heres an R/C half track on ebay ! its in australia , dont know the scale but looks ok , might give u ideas ! they a vid of it running .

[SteelRat]

How about this?

Do a similar thing with the rear wheels on the lunchie?

[gothcat]

thanks for all the help so far guys. My missus has been very nice to me she has offered to pay for the attic carpeting (27' 10" x 17' 11.5") so i will have a nice comfortable hobby room and also i can get on with this build. Just hope in a moment of madness i try and spray a bodyshell up there. With the nice 9' high ceilings i can even dig out my RC Helicopter Have got everything i need for the halftrack except the tank. Will keep you all updated and will be posting updates of build and hobby room

[commiedoor]

may the fleas of a rabid camel infest your armpits ! .. i got the bug now just to try to beat you ! lol i might do a half track and the 6 wheeler semi at the same time !

[chris350z]

http://rc4wdstore.com/2/product_info.php?c...67ffffa3ffd80b7

You could get that and make the the two rear axel into tracks. But then it wont be much of a lunch box. Also it is expensive.

I found a pic of what the gears are like in a bulldog pro. I am guessing they will be similar.

Here is the link to the tank. http://www.nitrotek.co.uk/1-16th-bulldog-s...ro-version.html

[commiedoor]

mate ! i just google imaged '' rc half track '' ..mind blowing to see whats out there ! and if you do the same for '' rc semi trailer '' ! ......

[gothcat]

Thanks guys for all the help so far. Have got a chrome pumpkin shell from my good friend "crazyhare" and also ended up with the full chassis chrome wheels and all So i think i will be repairing the body shell and removing the chrome etc etc and seeing what i can cobble together. Will be ordering the tank on Monday as its payday (rest of cash goes to Solicitors but worth it) will keep you all informed

AND "commiedoor" no infestation as i have had my FRONTLINE drip :D

[TWINSET]

Thanks guys for all the help so far. Have got a chrome pumpkin shell from my good friend "crazyhare" and also ended up with the full chassis chrome wheels and all So i think i will be repairing the body shell and removing the chrome etc etc and seeing what i can cobble together. Will be ordering the tank on Monday as its payday (rest of cash goes to Solicitors but worth it) will keep you all informed

AND "commiedoor" no infestation as i have had my FRONTLINE drip :lol:

If you're doing this on a budget, the going rate for a set of new chrome wheels on ebay is £20 and postage, flog them and buy a set of lunchbox wheels for about £9 and you're around £10 up after fees.

[commiedoor]

hey gothy , hows the 1/2 track comming along ? . i got a bit bogged down on my semi but now its nearly up and ready for a test run , once i mount the body , put on the turntable , fit the dummy fuel tanks , make the rear mudguards , mount the front bar and hook up the lights !!! lol

[gothcat]

hey gothy , hows the 1/2 track comming along ? . i got a bit bogged down on my semi but now its nearly up and ready for a test run , once i mount the body , put on the turntable , fit the dummy fuel tanks , make the rear mudguards , mount the front bar and hook up the lights !!! lol

At the moment its stuck in limbo, the front section is built and i have either a Pumpkin body or a landrover body to put on it. Until i get my access with my son sorted out it will have to wait (solicitor eats my cash)

"i got a bit bogged down on my semi"very funny comment there mate

[commiedoor]

hope u get access to the boy sorted out ! dang lawyers , bottom feeders the lot of them !

[gothcat]

hope u get access to the boy sorted out ! dang lawyers , bottom feeders the lot of them !

Well I have finally got a tank of Ebay for £10 its a M1 Abram's 24:1 (not working but sounds like battery charger gone) so I will wait for that to arrive and then the fun can start Will post pictures as it goes on

Thank commiedoor its slowly getting sorted as my ex being silly and ignoring all letters, but it helps that my current other half works in legal and licensing and the lawyer is a excellent person

[commiedoor]

hey gothy , have you concidered a set of mattracks ? all you need ia a hex coupling nut and a bit of mucking around to make a pare of limiters to stop the tracks spinning around and you done .. google '' rc mattracks '' i am thinking about getting a set ( 4 of them ) and doing something silly cause they look so neat ! ohh by the way u looked at my semi yet ?