Carrier Pics

[Derrick Eastman]

Howdy! Just wanted to share the progress I am making on my carriers so far !!!

[rob love]

Lookin good. Is that Mark 1 armor on a mk2 hull, or is the armor just missing it's rounded top edge?

[Derrick Eastman]

the carrier is actually a MK 1 lower that was chopped off at the fenders.90 % of the upper works I built out of steel plate .The rifle rest is wrong for a MK 1.I didnt know that when I built it.It will be corrected.The front glacis plate is actually 14 pieces I welded together that were in the bottom of the hull when I got it.Its been a fun project so far and I hope to have it parade ready by canada day 2009.I have one more MK 1, and three MK 2s after this one!!

[Lynn Eades]

Great work Derrick!!
How did you do your rivets?

[Derrick Eastman]

The "rivets" are actually carriage bolts with acorn nuts on the inside surface.Being a carrier neophyte I wont rivet it until I am sure I wont ever have to take it apart again!! I am a millwright by trade,and have pounded thousands of rivets, and once they are on ,they're ON.I know I will have my engine, steering, etc in and out over and over until everything is true so I wont go permanent yet.

[ron]

Hi Derrick,
And welcome to this forum, great pics of you carrier, I will look forward to seeing more pics of your restoration, well done,
Regards,
Ron

[Ralph Volkert]

Welcome! Looks good!

I especially like the idea of the carriage bolt with the acorn nut for a temp fix! I was leery about the hand riveting and will be starting repairs on my new aquisition soon. I would appreciate hearing how you would do the riveting Did you hammer with a punch it or use a bit on an Air chisel?

[Derrick Eastman]

as I said,I am a millwright by trade.I work in a large sawmill here in BC.We get rivets from a company called CAN AM chain.The HD 78 and H78 rivets are pretty close to carrier size.Any spots I want to be permanent(ie: frontal armor)I will put the factory rivet head on the outside of the machine and block the rivet so it wont move.I may try a little tack with 7018 3/32 welding rod on the inside to keep it from moving out.A piece of hardened shaft turned concave on the one end should get a reasonable rounded rivet head profile .the rivet must be heated up very hot with an oxy/acetylene torch before hammering. I use a 2 and a half pound ball peen hammer(millwrights favourite tool!) its best if done in one heat.Bear in mind this is all 'future' for me right now.Next year.If you have never done any hot riveting be prepared to scrap about the first 20 or so until you get results your happy with.the H 78 and HD 78 rivets are about 3 inches long but I can get them real cheap, and cut then to length.you should see the steel my mill throws away!!!! I can get tons of plate for nada.

[Justin Pollard]

Nice work there Derrick,looking good.