My Trackster Build

[Coop]

Looking good! You're going to have a nice machine when you get done, I'm envious of your attention to detail, I know how hard it can be sometimes to do a job right and not be temped to cut corners to get it done. Looking forward to seeing the completed machine.

Coop

[brushcutter]

Thanks Coop, we got the areas that will be repaired ground and prepped yesterday. Today though, I lent technical support to Ethan, the middle boy of our triplets, as he built a roller to use as we roll down the glass mats. As anxious to have this machine up and running as I am, it is far more important that I spend a few priceless minutes teaching my boys how to transform a thought or mental image to something they can hold in their hand and use to make a job easier. He is turning out to be a fair lathe hand, and I am proud of the tool he built. I've included a photo of the boys and one of the roller itself. You'll see Ethan holding the roller, and Evan standing with him. Hope to start laying down some glass tomorrow.

Ethans roller 002.jpg
Ethans roller 003.jpg

[Trackster]

Looks like things are coming along well. Awesome to hear about getting the kids involved too, family is where it is at! All of your progress is an inspiration to me and my machine.

Nick

[brushcutter]

Thanks Nick, how ya been? Hey you are right about getting the kids involved, seems like they would play video games 24-7 if we let them. I try to get them outside as much as possible. And for the most part have no trouble with that, but when we're having 104+ temps and 70 to 85 % humidity I can't really blame anybody for not wanting to go out. We've had a break in the heat so I got them up and going on things.

BTW I wouldn't mind seeing a few shots of what you are doing with your build, if you get a chance to post some up. Might help keep us inspired as well.

[brushcutter]

so... now what?

Just got off the phone with my fiberglass guy and to make a long story short he told me that my best bet was to do the necessary glass work, sand it as slick as I can get it and then either paint it or get some camo wrap and go that route because it would be FAR too expensive for them to do. I won't even say what price range he gave but... that should give you all an idea.

So once again I'm back to the drawing board. Ya know... the thought of an aluminum tub just keeps getting more and more attractive. But for now I think I'll just throw a few beers at it

[mudbug3]

brushcutter

I'd go with an aluminum tub and forget about all of the hasel of trying to re-glass the tub that you already have.

[brushcutter]

There are some definite advantages to building a tub, but I do know where I might get my hands on a used glass tub. I guess it will all depend on it's price vs the price of aluminum and the extra work to fabricate it. One thing is certain, aluminum would be a LOT easier to repair- if it ever needed it. I'll make some calls tomorrow and then decide which way to go.

[hydromike]

Just got off the phone with my fiberglass guy and to make a long story short he told me that my best bet was to do the necessary glass work, sand it as slick as I can get it and then either paint it or get some camo wrap and go that route

I've been reading through your posts, and aside from general 'glass repairs (matt/resin, putty, etc.) I don't think I see where drastic repairs are necessary aside from general sweat-equity. Sure, it'll be a lot of work to get it arrow-straight and mirror-smooth in the end, but it already looks like you've got a few pair of willing hands able to lend some help.

You've got a great starting point; I think the body's in pretty decent shape. DIY fiberglass repairs can be done pretty cheaply.

[brushcutter]

I've been reading through your posts, and aside from general 'glass repairs (matt/resin, putty, etc.) I don't think I see where drastic repairs are necessary aside from general sweat-equity. Sure, it'll be a lot of work to get it arrow-straight and mirror-smooth in the end, but it already looks like you've got a few pair of willing hands able to lend some help.

You've got a great starting point; I think the body's in pretty decent shape. DIY fiberglass repairs can be done pretty cheaply.

That's about what I've decided, looks like any choice I make at this point other than buying the tub is going to put me even longer to before we get to drive it. And that's really a bummer. The tub I mentioned will have to be really cheap before I will risk buying it and I figure he will want $500 to $750 for it. Which is way more than I am willing to pay so I can have the tub I've got just sitting here in my way.

[Noel Woods]

My vote is to go with the tub you have. Fall is coming up so the hard work will not be as bad as the weather cools downs. Its already about 10 degrees cooler than a few weeks ago and the humidity is getting lower. Sand away my friend.

[brushcutter]

We're going ahead with this tub, never even called to check on the other tub, although I am curious to know the price. I'm still working on the cracked areas, getting them up to 4 or 5 layers thick. I'm not gonna worry myself with getting the floor too slick, mainly I'll just knock down the high spots because it will just get sand and mud scuffs all over it the first week it is run. I plan to save all that sanding for the float ring.

[brushcutter]

We have pretty much finished repairing the areas that concerned me. Now we are laying glass over the entire inside of the tub. Haven't worked on it as diligently as I could have, and a good bit of that has been solo. The boys are back in school, and just want to play video games when they get home, so needless to say there is usually some moaning and groaning when I request their presence in the shop. While we were sanding yesterday I told them that IT IS possible to lay ALL the remaining glass in 1 day IF we wanted to. Then we can start the really "fun" part of gluing the float ring in place. They seemed to like the idea. We'll see about that come 6:30 Saturday morning when I roll them out of bed. bwuhahaha!

Also, I just got a price on tractor satin/flat finish paint which will only cost $145/gallon plus reducer, plus sandable primer plus fish-eye remover YIKES! I think I'll try to get by with 2 qts, even though it's expensive, I don't want to not have enough... But then again one place quoted me 250 for rhino liner...decisions... decisions

[Noel Woods]

I'm glad the progress is proceeding fairly well. It sounds like you are on for a winter completion date. I can't wait to see the finished product!
My vote is for a rhino liner type of spray. It will last forever, but it won't be that finely finshed / mirror like boat finish. I always go for the rough and ready appearance over something that may be scratched up or may fade in time.

[brushcutter]

I told the boys that it is highly possible to be driving it before Thanksgiving if we will get focused and motivated. And I believe that to be a realistic time frame, if we work on it more regularly. The fiberglass had slowed us way down but we are finally seeing a distant dim glow at the end of the tunnel. Not really a light but...

I can't help but think that once we get to it, assembly will move fairly fast. We've got the bogies ready and mounted on their respective parts waiting to be bolted up. I have a couple pieces to weld on the cross members yet, and will drill the bolt holes in them after fitting. There are also a few parts to paint. I would guess that as far as sub assemblies go, we are 70%-80% ready for final assembly. The glass has taken center stage for now so we HAVE to get past that before we can make any progress on anything else.

If the cost of paint and related components are close to the cost of having bed liner sprayed in, then it would make no sense to paint the tub. This would speed things along greatly by reducing the amount of sanding we would have to do. Even though we are trying to keep everything as slick as possible, there is only so much we can do to minimize high spots. I did discover though, that after knocking those spots down, I could get a really slick finish by mixing resin then painting it on the surface. Once I get the tub done I'll load it up and take it to get a solid price on bed liner, then make my final decision.

[Coop]

Sounds like you are making great progress on your Trackster. I would vote for using bed liner, on the bottom and the inside. It will hide some of the repairs so you don't have to do as much finish sanding and more important to me is that it will seal up the tub against water leaks. I've done it to my Trackster and my COOT, seals them up and deadens the sound too. They offer it is different colors now too.

Coop