1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

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D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:38 am

70th Division wrote:
Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:30 pm
Hello,

That is a beautiful track you built right there !!
Can you post some close up pictures of what you did, and where did you
got your belting from ?


Thanks,
Ray
Hi Ray, Thank You for the compliment on the track. I worked very hard carefully drilling the rivets out and figuring the math that involves the timing of the grousers. Then hunting for a belt supplier, research there, purchasing and then preparing the belts. Then trial and error of fasteners to come up with a combination that I am certain will not only be a winning one but also a marketable one. So sorry, no close-up photos and no source reveal.
But I can offer a rebuild kit for $2500.00 U.S. plus shipping. Production may commence very soon.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:39 am

Weaseler wrote:
Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:34 am
Wat is it
Don't you know?
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:44 am

sorry for asking

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Sun Feb 23, 2020 12:05 pm

No need to apologize Weaseler, I thought that YOU KNEW. No offense buddy, but you're a tough "read". I called and texted you several times to chat about weasels and to thank you for the free radiator. I just received dead air in return. Then I received a NEW education on track types from you without any supporting info. I don't know much about Weasels and I'm open minded enough to learn more.
So to tip my hand a bit on the rubber belt, it is natural rubber and it will stretch a maximum of 3/16" under heavy load in consideration of the number of and close proximity of the fasteners. Again I thought that you knew these parameters since you rebuilt you weasel tracks with similarly.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Sun Feb 23, 2020 12:30 pm

Yes i know all about them. Just wanted to know percentage of stretch. If the conveyor stretches to much it will throw track sprocket timing off which will make track skip pop. Just like LAR tracks i don t know why everyone likes lar tracks every set i see skip pop the ones i ve seen the sprocket teeth ride in between the grousers instead of in the middle of the the grousers u can t get proper tension on the track the lar track use Goodyear conveyor with kevlar it stretches way to much. I don t mean to seem like a ass but i am a single father with 3 girls need i say more.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:52 am

Yep, belt that is not hard enough will stretch. The first set of track I rebuilt did the same thing. It only happened on a slow tight turn and when I didn't pop the clutch and make the Weasel lift the front end high. It usually happened on concrete or grass where there was more traction. In mud or sand things were great. When track did pop out of time, I had an oak dowel about 3 inches in diameter that I would lodge between the track and drive sprocket on top and then roll backward. Worked every time. I also didn't know that my track wasn't tight enough too.
Anyway, I understand and want no hard feelings. The M.V. community isn't that big and the Weasel community is even smaller.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:12 pm

Well Gents, I haven't been doing much to my Weasel except for picking up the odd part here and there. I found a couple of parts from a nice man in Delaware who was generous enough to share his stock. I am very excited to have been able to buy them because with them, I will be able to work some magic with some of my spare front idler wheels. Anyway, I digress.

N.O.S. Drive Sprockets, Screws and Nuts.
Image
Image
Image

I don't care one bit if they were not produced during W.W. 2, there isn't any indication as to when they were made. Thank You Mr. Supply Man who sold them to me. :)
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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W. Winget
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by W. Winget » Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:26 am

Would it be too much to ask for some measurements on a NOS piece so they are captured here for others in future searches?
It looks simple enough for a plasma or water cutter to mill out, but depth of teeth, width, width where taper begins toward point, thickness of plate, etc. would be highly appreciated if one of us has to eventually remove a sprocket and either build it back up to spec or have one machined with the limited measurements you provide plus the existing sprocket as an example perhaps.
V/R W Winget
Two weasels one desperately needing track, the other so so track with repairs.
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:39 pm

Hey Col. Winget. I wouldn't mind to oblige you but what you're asking for is a bit out of my league, all those measurements and such. I rebuilt some sprockets back in '05 by cutting the teeth off and welding cold rolled steel in 1/4" thick X 1 1/2" lengths and then grinding them to shape. I even used a rose-bud torch, Oxy-Acet. and motor oil, to harden the entire sprocket again. This exercise turned out very well.
I just landed a new place of employment and right next door is a Govt. contracted machine shop. I asked the owner if they might be able to make some repro's, he said to bring a sample by and that the probability is high. I will keep the Weasel enthusiasts abreast of my findings.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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W. Winget
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by W. Winget » Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:27 am

Sweet, worst case a few pages of white paper or cut open paper bag and a pencil to trace it out would capture the extreme measurements for future reference, a set of calipers would be handy, but not needed as a takeoff sprocket would provide the critical measurements and the gap left between the worn piece and drawing would tell the story.

Unless you encounter a Nuclear Engineer Machinist where a micrometer is usually in their pocket... :D
V/R W Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by dirtfab » Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:04 pm

Not trying to burst your bubble, but the company in Delaware that produced aftermarket sprockets went through a few iterations. Those appear to be some of the early cast ones that wear quickly. They later went with a stamped steel version that were heat-treated. I have a few of those as well as one of the cast. The pattern/openings are different between the two- the quickest way to identify cast vs. stamped steel. It also appears like you have ground on the casting pour areas- which is another way to tell.

I was also told that some cast were heat-treated, but I'm not sure how accurate that is and if you would really get that much of a benefit from that. A rockwell test would tell you if they are soft or not. Nice thing about the cast version is the pattern is more to the original WWII pattern.

Edit: Also- make sure you hold them up to eachother and confirm that the holes line up as well as the sprocket teeth. I have had some of the stamped steel ones not line up. Easy fix of welding up some holes and re-drilling, but still nice to catch before attempting to assemble.

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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by Weaseler » Fri Jun 26, 2020 4:09 pm

D.R.H. wrote:
Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:39 pm
Hey Col. Winget. I wouldn't mind to oblige you but what you're asking for is a bit out of my league, all those measurements and such. I rebuilt some sprockets back in '05 by cutting the teeth off and welding cold rolled steel in 1/4" thick X 1 1/2" lengths and then grinding them to shape. I even used a rose-bud torch, Oxy-Acet. and motor oil, to harden the entire sprocket again. This exercise turned out very well.
I just landed a new place of employment and right next door is a Govt. contracted machine shop. I asked the owner if they might be able to make some repro's, he said to bring a sample by and that the probability is high. I will keep the Weasel enthusiasts abreast of my findings.
I have cad drawings for the sprockets ready to go find out how much they would charge to make a set laser is better in my opinion let me know thanks

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Mon Jun 29, 2020 2:24 pm

Hey guys, I have been driving straight to the work-sight for the past week. Tomorrow I will be reporting to the shop, which means I'll get to ask the machine shop about the sprockets. I'll let you guys know what he says.

Dirtfab, no bubbles bursted here man. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the sprockets are stamped. They ring like a dinner bell when struck with another piece of metal. I honestly just wanted some patterns so I could do my welding trick.

Weaseler, how does a guy go about having a CAD drawing made of something like this? I am not all that skilled with these computers and such.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

hummermark
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by hummermark » Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:28 am

Hi where abouts is the engine number located on the engine?
M1030M1 JP8 diesel
2008 M1113 Humvee
Cushman 53
M10 Achilles
M274 A2 Mule
Matchless g3l
1944 WLA
M1030 KLR 650
Gpa

D.R.H.
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Re: 1944 M-29 C Weasel Restoration.

Post by D.R.H. » Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:41 pm

hummermark wrote:
Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:28 am
Hi where abouts is the engine number located on the engine?
This project is on the back burner and the heat has been turned off, so I couldn't tell you where to look for the engine serial number yet. Sorry my friend. I am certain that someone else will chime in here and let us know. :wink:
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


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