Mick's Grant

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:11 am

Made a start on the tracks overnight. It's a fiddley job when you have butter fingers....so I knocked up a simple jig to hold the track upright while fitting the screws and locknuts. Not perfect by any means, however it does help....Mick

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:04 am

Awful morning, cold wet and windy...summertime, summertime, who knows, who cares

The track production line up and running, in full flow....track jig is being patented as I write....

Looking forward to the all singing, all dancing 'new options', can't wait to spend my money, because, I ain't taking it with me....Mick

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 8:24 am

Hello lads and ladies, running out of space....one excuse for not ordering a Chieftain

Phil, be very careful with Cyno, this adhesive triggers my asthma.... enjoying your build....Mick

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:06 am

Good morning, by way of light relief from assembling tracks I laid out the Grant turret parts. I have a question regarding the gun barrel part number ENO459 and the gun tube part number ENO458.
I can see that the gun barrel has an internal thread, and the gun tube is smooth internally. How are the two parts joined and with what....? I may have missed something here...Mick.
Result....I will leave this post on the Forum as I have now worked out the answer, and it may help others,

The gun tube must be cleaned thoroughly, ( mine had a pronounced lip ) the gun barrel will then slide through the tube. The thread in the barrel ( I believe ) is for the recoil mechanism to screw into...via the recoil Options Pack...

Have a nice day...

Mike Conley · Post by **Mike Conley** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 11:50 am

Good Morning Michael!

I also had to figure out a way to hold the barrel in the tube. I couldn't find any metric bolt that would fit the barrel threads so after I installed the tube in (with that big brass nut) I used a long smaller bolt that WOULD go up in the barrel. Then I put a BIG GOB of clear RTV rubber glue all over the bolt threads and shoved it in the barrel. I didn't want to use JB Weld or any epoxy that gets hard because I (or the next owner) may need to take the barrel out someday (if a recoil system is to be installed).

I didn't want the bolt/barrel to start backing out so I used a piece of brass sheet to hold it forward. There's a lot of threaded holes on the back so I used them. Also, to hold the 37 barrel up too, there's two threaded holes (behind that traverse motor) on the back of the mount. I cut a flat strip of aluminum long enough to go up over the mount, drilled two holes aligned with the two (left) unused vertical mount holes, then bolted it on. When the mount tries to pivot down the strip rests at the top on the turret inside. This holds the 37 mount level.

For the 75 barrel I shoved a piece of nylon rod inside (I also thought about wood dowel) with RTV on it and put a piece of angle aluminum across the back of the mount. This holds the barrel UP and helps set the depth of the barrel. I ground the sides of the rod and cut a notch in the aluminum to hold the barrel from turning (to keep the muzzle brake level).

Mike (the one in Kentucky!)

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 6:00 am

Good morning and thank you Mike, I'm hoping with the all new 'options' that both guns on the M3s will have recoil. Now, back to big boys toys...had a surprise visit this morning on the production line. Only 'the man' himself, on his way to North Africa

...Mick

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 8:37 am

A quality build as usual Mick, I always look forward to dropping in on your build log!

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:24 am

Thank you Phil, still following your amazing build.....Back to the M3 Grant. Decided it's time to check that the units assembled so far, that's the upper, lower hull and turret, actually fit together. I want to leave the final upper hull fit until I have installed the new Option Packs. Can hardly wait for those. they look the business...
Testing the fit of the upper hull to the lower hull...had a real moment when the holes (without rivets in the upper hull), did not match the holes in the lower hull brackets. So my friends, out with the lump hammer....really!!!! Just a gentle tap on the end frame....and all is well. The idea I had, was to assemble the upper/lower hull with removeable bolts thereby gaining access to the options, motors and so on, if need be...I use this system on my Panther making access to batteries, so much easier....Mick.

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:24 am

Looks perfect Mick, my mallet comes to bed with me!

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:01 pm

Naughty boy Phil, for anyone who ever doubted my insomnia, for example my GP. take a look at the date and time on my photographs. I have asked for sleeping tablets, my doctor has tried everything else, he said they are habit forming....now that is one habit I could do with

...Mick

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:11 pm

I have periods of insomnia Mick and use zopiclone, just 1/4 of a tablet to get me off (12 tablets lasts me about a year), or the next day will be a blur. I have so much going through my tiny brain, often lying awake contemplating all those engineering/modelling problems that we love so much! Or just wack yourself over the head with the mallet lol.

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:36 am

Good morning everyone, the 'Panther' is safely parked in the warm, dry living room. I have followed Forum advice and disconnected the batteries. I will trickle charge the batteries from time to time, over the winter.
The M3 Grant build continues....I have the 'Options' on order. Had a crack at improving the tool/equipment boxes, fitting hinges and fasteners. I know that the boxes and my upgrades are not exact copies. It's the best I could do....and it's my Grant. Also added butterfly fasteners to the rear doors, again home made. I can appreciate the work and detail that others produce.
Looking forward to following the many Chieftain builds....Mick

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:17 pm

Beautiful work as ever Mick, regards Phil.

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 8:47 am

Hi Mick
Looking good always follow your builds.

keep up the good work

Regards

Derek

michael hilton · Post by **michael hilton** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:59 am

Thank you Derek and good morning everyone. I am ready to order sealed lead acid batteries, 12v 22ah, two for the use of. I must say the new, all singing, all dancing, 'options' pack look superb. Love the colour, the size, and most of all, the information contained therein. Can't wait to get to the 'bench testing'......Mick

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