Wooden vehicle track plansDetailed dimensions for the tracks for my wooden tank-thread vehicleThese plans are based on using 1970s style VW beetle wiper motors, which were just the right size gear head motor for the job. If you want to build a similar vehicle, you should start by trying to find some suitable gear head motors. They should be DC motors and run somewhere between 30 and 90 RPM.
Click on any image for a larger view.
The tracked vehicle is based on using old VW beetle wiper motors (from the original beetle).
These can unfortunately no longer be obtained. I don't know of a good gear head motor substitute.
Wiper motors have about the right speed and torque, but few are as compact
as the ones from a VW beetle. You will have to modify your design to work with whatever
motors you can find, which is why I have not put overall dimensions on this plan.
Use a hard wood such as maple for the chains and sprockets.
The sprockets can be made out of solid hardwood, or 3/4" plywood. If you use plywood,
I recommend the Baltic birch, which is made of very thin layers of birch throughout.
If you print this image to be exactly 16 cm wide, you can use it as a template for cutting out your sprockets.
You can also download the SketchUp model for the tracks See also Wooden tank thread vehicle |