Tracks

[martyn]

I have had a quote for a master patten track link ,iam working out now how much it would cost to drill the links and make the pins. I believe that i can and will try my best to get a set of tracks (both sides) some where around £5 - 7k i would like it to be more near the 5 figure as i said before tho it would be a limited run.

[Perry Kitson]

Just a quick question,
I have a couple of NOS track links kicking around and the pin holes don't bear any machining marks. I have read that the track links were cast with cores in where the pins holes are and not machined. Hence the policy of removing one or two links after a short initial run-in of new track once the fine pebbled surface in the holes was worn off. If this is true, it would eliminate the need and expense for drilling the pin holes. I believe there was a fair bit of clearance between the pin and hole to allow the track to warp during the initial steering phase. I am not entirely certain, a foundry would tell you for sure, but I think those tolerances should be able to be held with the casting process itself.

Perry

[gjamo]

This photograph may help.
Graeme

http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/cas_searc..._simple_search


Caption reads: 1942-03-26. NEWPORT. TRAWLER TRACKS FOR THE BREN GUN CARRIER. CASTINGS FOR THE TRACK LINKS HAVE THEIR CORED HOLES REAMED TO SIZE ON A VERTICAL ARCHDALE DRILL

[ozm29c]

Fellows,
I know it is a bit off topic but anything to do with tracks is unavoidably expensive. In my case, brand new aftermarket weasel tracks are now available at $9500USD a pair , plus freight/shipping, plus taxes, plus plus plus. Much that I would like to purchase a set I just don't have that amount of spare cash lying around . Now my point is when faced with the expensive reality of getting mobile, it then gives you more incentive to look outside the square at more economical track repair solutions. In the case of Bren Carriers, I can't offer any advice but in my weasel realm I do have a less costly solution to my track fix.
Whatever avenue you choose to go down, good luck.
Cheers
John Wilson

[Ron Pier]

I once owned a Weasel and had to invent ways of keeping the track going. I've seen some after market Weasel track kits, that involve spacing the bogey wheels further apart. To me it looks ridiculous and other avenues would have to be explored to maintain an authentic look.( Just my two penneth off topic) Ron

[ron]

Hi Graeme,
Thanks for posting that pic, You just beat me to the punch, I have a copy of the same pic, the way that I understand it was the track link was cast undersize and them reamed to size, at first thought it might seem like a big job, but just look at the small pile of links on the side of the mill, that man would ream all of them and many more in a full days work,first get the track links cast and then set to and ream them out one at a time, the pyrimids were built one block at a time, just put in a days work on a mill with the right cutters,and you will be supprised just how much work you can get through you just need a quick action jig to hold the work,anyway thats my two bobs worth if I need any more new track I will not hesitate to make it,
Regards to you all Ron

[tankbarrell]

Link pin holes were drilled with.... a core drill! This is a three or four flute drillbit that is only able to drill out an existing hole, not drill from scratch.

They can cope with irregular shaped holes such as left from a casting core and produce a nice round hole. I have a selection and find them very useful.

As Ron says, you could drill a lot of links in a day but you would need a jig with bushes in to control the hole centres.