M29

HI Dave What bogey wheels are we talking? Don't remember? Dan

Looks good. How did you join the belts? Are you going to work the road pad issue next? Dan

Track looks very good. Can you post some up close pictures of the bands. This type of band replacement is going to be the lowest cost available way to go. let us know more about cost. Thanks Dan

Yes those bands are really nice that were made in Europe. I wrote the guy at one time actually several times to get a set but never could get a delivery set up. He would not ship to the US. For some reason it was going to require me getting a shipper plus sending funds to an unknown individual in I believe was in Czechoslovakia. The whole thing sounded like an epic hassle. There is no reason though that these bands could not be made here in the USA. A mold could be made from wood at least a prototype since the bands are cold molded with silicone. The pads could be made in pieces such as the basic pad and the reinforcement bar a separate part etc, anything to reduce labor costs. A DIY person could then do the welding an assembly. John Wilson had some time ago developed a nice road pad as he was going to remake an original track. John would share his drawing of the pad with us. Tom at snake river developed a set of bands but stopped making the kit because of labor costs. He did not offer a road pad though which is a must on an original track pad . Bad road pads will cause stress on the hardened pad and cause breakage. I have an original style track with the later band on my Norwegian weasel and numerous pads look like they were replaced with some sort of adhesive. by the Norwegians. I will take some pictures and post them. I have a stud welder in the shop that will weld studs on the track pads any size up to 1/2" which would eliminate the long slow process of welding by tig or mig the studs for the road pads. I look forward to more input and thoughts on this . 14,000 for a new set of LAR tracks is beyond it for many. Even 6000.00 for a set of silicone bands is a lot of money and your still not done. Dan

This is an interesting track outer band looks some what original but is different. Not sure who made it but look like a promising idea for future track bands Dan

Hi Frank the way the outer band has been attached to the track is interesting It looks like an original rubber outer band but yet has no sign of the old band hold downs. Might be a solution for future track bands? Dan

Hi John Nice find on the track aprons. I had never seen the apron pins before so nice of you to post the picture. Dan

Hi Alexander The engine repair you did sounds like the same I will have to do on my T15 engine. I know the valves are all stuck and no1 cylinder is pitted. so a bore will be needed plus crank has some corrosion spots so that will have to be done as well. The dilemma I am having is I have a better engine from an M29C but it would not be the original. I wonder if the weasel gods would condemn me if I used the other block. I know I would still want to go through it as well so basically would save the bore and crank grind work. I am really thinking that staying as original as possible is the best though. Dan

John You are an inspiration to us all. The size of the task does not seem to deter you. Great having you in the forum. Dan

What was the paint color you used John? Looks really nice Dan

Welcome to the site Andrew The seat backs you made are amazing and thanks for those nice repro seat back catches you made for me. Dan

Hi Tom and Everyone Your hull looks great'Tom! I wish mine was as far along. Decade of sitting out in the open caused extensive rust on the rear of the machine mostly to one side. The good thing is most of the jewelry was still on it. One track is off in these photos but I do have it . It has one broken band. I am going to restore it as well as the sled that was also with the machine. I have attached photos of the recovery.

Great to see you here John As always your workmanship is impeccable. Dan

Hello All I like the style of bands that tom did. The problem with the original bands is if you ever jump a sprocket and that band goes over the teeth it will rip it to shreds. The conveyor belt bands are so much stronger and also the track can be split for ease of removal/ install. I say this from years of operating a weasel in Alaska. The Chech guys some time ago developed a replica of the original bands plus remade the pads. http://www.weaselclubprague.com/index.php?page=5&id=9. They made a youtube video running the tracks on the beach of Normandy. The bands were molded with silicone. The website is still up but they have never done anymore with the tracks. I did get a price from them at one time to make a set of the tracks and they were not a cheap solution. I do like the look of the original bands though and fully understand the desire to reproduce a replica. I think using a one piece conveyor belt band both inner and outer is a great solution and would be the most economical that a DIY person could handle.

Nice looking wheels. What was the bonding adhesive you used. Also need to look at adhering new rubber to sprockets and idlers. Thanks for the info Dan

Hi Pat Nice site I will be posting pictures soon of the T15 I am starting on