General Forums > General Discussion
Is it possible to build a bombarier from scratch?
the old trucker:
i'm not very good with the computer.i just saw more pics on the 52 rebuild. is that one yours? definately worth more than a thousand words. i started reading about these machines 2 yrs. ago when cdn. home workshop wrote an article about cameron mclean. since then i've started looking and asking around about them.
I found out about 10 of them here on the island. but i have a better chance of buying hens teeth. so here we are now.
Strange things are always brewing in my head. why can't i build a wooden bomber from scratch? i have a lot of ideas. just listen. dummy spare tires & hubs mounted to torsion bar axles. guess. i think i can get the cleats & sprockets off a couple of old j5's. new belting would also be in order. also i think i'll have to buy the steering setup. i think i can acess some steel plate for the tub frame & front. what size channel and/or angle do you need for the chassis? this would be the hardest part of the job. i like working with wood. i like the model with the short angle just in front of the door. please don't tell me that i'm crazy, because the wife will only laugh & agree with you. hope you get this.
also what thickness and width belting can i use for the track? is the axle on the j5 same width as on the narrow gauge.
Swamp Dawg:
Hello Old Trucker
You can,t be that old if you are thinking of building a Bombardier from scratch.I have had the same idea over the years as well.Torsion bar axles will do the job,J-5 undercarriage parts will give you track bars and sprockets,the belting used is 6 inches wide X 5/16 to 3/8 thick that can be bought and punched out.The main tub will be a challenge to build as it has a frame of 3 inch channel rolled on 2 ends.If you can,t get them rolled you can fabricate the radius's.The rest is basic sheet metal work.You will need to find a automotive diff and cut it down to your track sprocket to sprocket width.Keep in mind this is not a small job.After doing all the logistical planning on a project like this rebuilding a old wore out original is looking better all the time.
Every man needs a good challenge.
the old trucker:
i don't think i'm that old. if the big fella up there lets me go i'll be 56 come april. i've been home now since spring of 2001. the old ticker shut me down on the way back home from virgina one day. so, it's been a long holiday.
my way of thinking about the old steel & wooden girls is that if i can't find something down here i'd have to buy one up your way. time i spend $4 to 6,000 bucks on it, as/where is. shipping costs wouldn't cheap. at least $4,000. that's 10 grand gone there see.
i think i can scrounge up enough slightly used metal. there's a 300 ford 6 cyl. with trannie and a 250 chev??? with trannie close by. the price is very right on. only problems i think i'll have is i need a welder to do the welding for me. i was talking to a welder and he says it's about a week to do what i need done. i can do a lot of cutting & fitting myself. (hey i got the time)
i'm going to check on the j5's now in the spring for axles, tracks and rear end.
i'm half decant with the woodworking part. i have enough tools.
so i'm thinking for ten thousand bucks, i can make one. there are a couple of machines around me and the owners said they wouldn't mind me useing them for a guide.
so, what do you all think i'm still crazy or i stand a chance of being the new kid on the block with a new play toy.
grfishmaker:
old trucker
I think you certainly have the main ingredient to "build a bombardier from scratch" and that ingredient is your passion. I can certainly read the enthusiasum in your posts. You remind me of that old tv show of McIver (he could make a bomb out of a pencil and snare wire).
I wish you the best of luck in whatever trail you travel.
grfishmaker:
Yes sir old trucker, it is absolutley possible to build a bombardier from scratch. As a matter of fact, I have built two in one afternoon. If you are talking about a larger version than these, then I don't think so. lol Mine was powerd by a string and piece of willow stick.
I made these for my kids 20+ years ago. My daughter had the red one and my son the blue one. As you can see from the front end and roof of the blue one; it has traveled a few miles around our yard on it's back like a turtle. He didn't care if it was right side up or not (that used to upset my daughter as she was always so carefull with hers). We always had alot of mini-bombardier tracks around our yard during the winters.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/aaaa.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/c.jpg
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