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.
This tutorial only covers the making of the tracks, a tutorial for the whole tank might come sometime in the future.
This tutorial only covers the making of the tracks, a tutorial for the whole tank might come sometime in the future.
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Signing UpStep 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.
- 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.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-RC-Lawnmower/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRUx7rRzfBc&feature=player_embedded i used derailleur cogs with every other tooth removed and small screws instead of bolts and filled them with glue gun glue as mentioned above works brilliantly and none of the slipping as i had issues with using Rollerblade wheels in a previous attempt
robot tracks album
http://s356.photobucket.com/albums/oo1/badmanbaz/Robots/
and a few of the minibot
I machined a piece of steel the same size as the bearing but with a 5mm hole in the centre for the drill screws.
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 ;-)
It's not just about the tracks though, you must have powerful motor/gearbox combo