Tracks

[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.

[JTH]

Perhaps two quotes are in order. Raw castings and reemed castings.

I had also heard that the alloy used in the casting is a bit hard to come by.

The expense of shipping from the UK, may make trying the same thing on this side of the pond. Please keep us info'd as to progress. At some point we are all going to run out if track bits!

Jeff

[RichardT10829]

cast manganese steel and its still used by the japanese army (among others) today. A firm based in Durham still make tracks for japanese contracts i enquired about this you see they were flat out all with those contacts so could not assist me, but reckon from the belt of links i showed them, they were not a difficult item to cast.

the various quotes way is a good idea as folk may have they're own facilities to drill/machine the links, or have say a load of nos pins that could be used etc etc.

as for shipping if enough folk over the pond wanted sets made they could be shipped in one small container and money could be saved. Thing is the lucky folk in canada have better access to carrier wrecks than us poor brits so may have better luck tracing track that way.

At some point we are all going to run out of track bits!

Jeff you hit the nail on the head !!! and this goes back to my previous rant, we really need to think outside the box now to ensure this stuff is available for future generations to keep these vehicles rolling and preserve important memories / history.

i am confident between us we can produce a viable resolution to this issue.... like i say i can have stacks and stacks of pins made at a good price, as long as i have correct diameter and length to supply my old man (and the college)