Patrick Tipton

As many of you know, I bought an M29 a while back. It is in very original condition and is the 2nd or 3rd production M29 made. I have done a lot of mechanical work to it - rebuilt engine, transmission and final drive. It has new sprockets - not happy with them by the way. I am also about to put a set of rebanded French tracks on it. It has become my learning machine and is starting to drive and steer great. Over the weekend, I decided to do a little work on it since it looks pretty bad. I went ahead and reinstalled the brush guard, fixed some rust on the very nice windshield and started straightening the coaming a little. I have a really bad bomb box for it - decided to "upgrade" to a new panel for the time being. I also took apart another 20 or so grousers - what a pain but I am about 70 in so should be able to start bolting these on to my new bands soon. This machine will get a full restoration at some point. Mostly it needs repairs to the front and underneath the gas tank - otherwise, just a lot of dents! In the meantime, I sure am having fun with it. So much fun, in fact, that I ran over a GoPro that fell off doing donuts in a very wet field.

Indeed - a big learning curve. One of the reasons I started the site and really appreciate folks who take the time to share what they are doing - like you! Hopefully we don't all have to make the same mistakes. There is definitely hard facing arc welding rod that people use to resurface anvils and the like. My new sprockets are wearing enough that I am going to need to build up the teeth again. Not that big of a deal....weld then and shape them, but we should not be having to do this! I could have done the same thing with the original sprockets and saved myself $800 and a bunch of time drilling out rivets! Oh well....onward!

Happens to me every time. Thought - "fix this"....next thought...."its fine - we don't have time". Result - 15 minute fix becomes 5 hour project.@Larry Mass🤣 I sent you another note - you need to get connected with Charlie S - who has a very nice T15 and can help you sort this out.

Larry - send me your cell via PM and I will text you Charlie S's number - he has a nicely restored T15.....and will help you with the pictures.

They should - mine are wearing badly!

Sounds good - you guys are doing nice work on those. I am planning on getting the remaining grousers free this weekend. I am going to start banding mine up - we shall see how it works!

Nice Mike! I see you have the "french" tracks. How much have you driven the Weasel and how are those tracks performing?

@Pips_Blaauw Things of beauty! Looking forward to hearing how they work.

Call Yamulla...he has them NOS.... Owner: David Yamulla, Jr. http://www.militaryvehiclesupply.net/list/12 Parts: Large inventory of mostly NOS parts for all models; very active on Ebay Phone/fax 570-454-5674 Email - ye@epix.net

Tomek - welcome! I bought the same sprocket set and they are wearing pretty quickly. I look forward to seeing how your repair works out!

I am probably coming down for the show in May. Are you planning on attending?

My M29 is pretty sloppy.....I did a quicky refurb on the mechanism. There is a lot going on with the shifting mechanism and control rods so I think you really need to go thru it - like @OZM29C John did...if you want a really nicely shifting Weasel. I have pretty nice parts for the T24 so hoping it will be nice and smooth. Cheers

I have not finished them - either project! But, I am heading out to my shop shortly to, among other things, take apart another 20 grousers. I have probably 50 apart - so roughly half way done. The bands are in - they look great, as do the elevator bolts. I need to focus! Pics later.

Congrats. Looks great. Are you planning to keep the Norwegian mods or go back to M29? Not that it really matters either way! As for the hat channels, etc. - it is a lot of work as you know, but not particularly difficult. Mostly time and lots of cutoff and grinding wheels. Looking forward to seeing her run!

Wow! My grousers are steel, the track guides are bronze. I have a second set that are like Tim's @42rocker - steel and steel. I am starting to reband mine this weekend. Pictures to follow soon.

Pictures or it didn't happen! 🤣 Congrats Robert!!

Tease!

@Mike BBeautiful work! Looking forward to hearing how these come out. I have the same tracks....and bands...and elevator bolts...just need to put them together!

Would you post some detailed pictures of them if you get a chance? Would love to see them up close and personal.

NW NJ - near PA/NY borders.

It is a bummer. If I had a little more spare time, I would make them, but I am jammed and behind!😂

I don't think he will ship to the US - at least that is what I have heard. Anyone have a set?

Thanks John!

Love it John! @OZM29C That is a thing of beauty. I am not going that far....I don't think - but I am still waiting for a return call from the machine shop. I have a clean(ish) shop, the final drive needing reassembly, transmission parts to clean....etc. Time to finish this T24!

Nice solution Fred! Anything to keep the area dry/lubricated and sealed is a good thing!