How to make custom and strong tank tracks for very cheap.

Hi, after seeing PROTOS III on lmr I wanted a robot with big tank tracks even more than I already did, so I made some tank tracks, with slight modifications from calex63, they take some time, but are cheap and easy.

Step 1 Materials

Materials:

- Bike chains, two bike chain per tank track, you can buy only two and cut them in half with a chain breaker that's what I did.

Each chain was 3€ at the mall, no need for quality shimano or sram chains or anything, cheap ones will do.

- PVC tube, I used 12mm diameter but thicker is good, definitely NOT thinner, that was 1€ for 3meters(I really want to replace the PVC with Al soon)

- Screws and self tightening bolts(the ones with a bit of rubber inside) and screws, my chain fitted M3 screws nicely in the thickest links.

 Quantities will depend on how big you want it, count your chain links.

Tools:

- X-acto knife.

- strong scissors(optional, easier than the knife, but results aren't so good).

- dremel with 3mm drill bit.

Comments

[miguipda]

Dear amando96,

thanks for this great instructable I will use for a personal project.

But I have a question about your good idea.
This tank tracks could be used to work on grass but how does they ride on rocks.
In my backyard they are some small rocks on many slopes. As your tank tracks could help me I do not really be sure they will work on those kind of slopes.
Then having tank tracks like this :
http://www.valamtp.fr/catalogue-chenilles-caoutchouc-mini-pelles-surpatins-road-liner.php

may be can we use tire parts to use in place (or to put in) your halves PVC tubes.

Or may be do you have a better idea or may be already test it on small rock slopes ?

Sincerely thanks.

Have a nice day,

Miguipda ;-)

[amando96]

I tried it out on sand and gravel at a slight incline, too easy.

It's not just about the tracks though, you must have powerful motor/gearbox combo

[frost360]

i hv no t¡l s to make that

[stephen apil]

thanks because of ur idea i can complete my project work.if u have more idea than u can mail me in [e-mail]

[jmacquarrie]

hey there, can you post pic of side view of treads and one of right on the back, if you know what i mean. curious about rollerblade drive wheel, i was planning mine with cogs and cassettes and other rip raff from bikes. would be really helpful, tyia!

[jmacquarrie]

also did you weld the bolt going through the rollerblade wheel so it doesnt spin with the bearing?

[jaxx111]

How high voltage of a motor would i need for it to work. would it have to be insanely powerful or like 12v

[TheeDoctor]

Try lining the edges of the PVC that connect to the floor with a thin line of hot glue for traction

[Raitono]

Nice job. But how does it actually connect to the gear that turns them? Will a normal bike gear work or what? Will the screws get in the way? I'm planning on using a similar idea for a new project and need to know how it fits together.

[nolan5683]

they fit around/over the wheels

[koolcat78956]

trying to gather the materiaals needed, thanks for the idea :)

[lestat666]

i noticed u didnt say any thing about the drive wheel im new to all this so a lil help on that would b great

[cowscankill]

Very cool! Any tutorial for how you made your tank?

[Legoman200119]

I belive that it is the tank platform by Sparkington

[amando96]

Nope, completely home made with bits of aluminium and steel rod.

[bombmaker2]

Sweet idea. Do you think it could be scaled up using motorcycle chain for something life-size?

[amando96]

If you find a substitute for the PVC tube, like steel it could be done, nothing bigger than those off road go carts though, if you try, let me know :-P

[a4great]

do you have any idea on the size limit of the chain? (or if there is one)

[amando96]

Virtually there isn't I guess, as long as the chain is strong, and you find stronger substitutes for the PVC

[bombmaker2]

I will and thanks.

[dagomuffin]

you might want to add some traction on the halves, even if its bike tire rubber and super glue

[koolcat78956]

How do you make the wheel for the chain???

[amando96]

Roller skate wheels.

[vstechnologies]

Ya how would it have traction would it just be pulled taut enough?

[koolcat78956]

But how does the chain stay on the wheels?, if there is no teeth to hold the chain on.

[Legoman200119]

The screws and bolts are used to create teeth on the inside of the chain to allow it to grip the drive wheel.

[sololife.sai]

Can you tell me how you mount your wheels?

[agis68]

Very very nice idea....the negative to me is the pieces of PVC tube...I don't know their strength and the effectiveness is hard soils. If you change them with metal then might work really better. But this doesn't influence the value of this really nice instructable as a source and food for though and forward research....I give 5/5 and more for sure dude…and I will try to build mine for the next tank robot I am building. Special thanks because now I have the solution to make cheap tank tracks.

[toxicwolf]

i cut rubber from a bicycle tire and glued it to the pvc to get traction

[agis68]

that's inspiration.....u did it after??? Not seen in umages...;)

[toxicwolf]

what r u talking about

[agis68]

forget it...;D

[laxhead94]

how well do u think it would work in the snow thinking of making some sort of plow

[gunner.jani]

Man,very nice work.I'll make it for my robot.Thanx for the idea:):S

[Re-design]

Nice job!

[mr.incredible]

Very nice. Could you use a rubber tube like a fiber reinforced fuel tube. That could give you better traction on hard surfaces.

[sammyBoy]

Like it - I tried bike chain to make tracks years ago and I failed miserably. This is a far more elegant solution. Love it, I can't wait to see some finished results.

[ry25920]

Awesome idea, I'll need to try this some time. +3.5

[theRIAA]

VERY nice job, although I want to see a bright video of it zooming around in the street or something.

[amando96]

Thanks! Won't happen for a bit, still have to get my motor controllers working, in that video I was pressing the motor button(it's a cordless drill motor) with a servo, only have one servo capable of pressing the button... Sorry about the low light video, it was a last minute thing, wasn't going to make it but though "why not" since the chassis needs new motor mounts.