37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Demilitarized vehicle weapons and static display accessories
Post Reply
tazmo2004
G-First Sergeant
G-First Sergeant
Posts: 141
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:16 pm
Location: East Alabama

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by tazmo2004 » Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:05 pm

Making me jealous. This looks great!
I was toying around with the idea of mocking up a fieldpiece out of old pipe and a trailer axle I have laying around the shop, painting it green and parking it in the field by my shop. After seeing this I think I would be embarrassed to even try.
Great job. I imagine even using A36 this is costing a small fortune.
Todd Brewer
The Forge LLC
Dadeville, AL
52? M38A1
OIF/OEF
Iran Hostage Crisis
"75 mph on a green road feels like 5 mph when you are under fire."


Andy Cole
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:36 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Andy Cole » Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:40 pm

It has been a while since I have been able to work on the 37mm. I have made a little progress. I have found a CHUNK O' STEEL to make the breech ring out of. That sucker is HEAVY! It is way too big for what I need, but I'll cut, then mill it down. It'll take a year, and untold numbers of cutters but I'll get it eventually. I also rounded up a piece for the breech block.

I have also been working on the traverse gear and the bottom of the carriage. I hope to have the upright "ears" welded on tomorrow.

Image

Image

Image
1943 Willys MB285433 D.O.D. 12-3-1943
1951 M100 trailer D.O.D. 3/51
1951 M37 Truck D.O.D. 5-28-1951
M3 37MM ATG
M3A4 Hand Cart
Wife D.O.Delivery 7-21-1979
Boy D.O.Delivery. 2-15-2007
Girl D.O.Delivery. 4-9-2009
Girl D.O.Delivery. 10-23-2012

Andy Cole
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:36 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Andy Cole » Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:41 pm

Got the upper armor mocked up today. I got the carriage base and traverse gear finished. I got the trunnion ears welded in, and three of the armor support brackets. I have got some fine tuning to do, but I had to see the armor attached. Vice grips had to hold it long enough for the pics.

Image

Image
1943 Willys MB285433 D.O.D. 12-3-1943
1951 M100 trailer D.O.D. 3/51
1951 M37 Truck D.O.D. 5-28-1951
M3 37MM ATG
M3A4 Hand Cart
Wife D.O.Delivery 7-21-1979
Boy D.O.Delivery. 2-15-2007
Girl D.O.Delivery. 4-9-2009
Girl D.O.Delivery. 10-23-2012

jpmeserve
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:32 am
Location:

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by jpmeserve » Thu Apr 23, 2015 4:46 am

Great Work

mmamajor
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 499
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:53 am
Location: Michigan

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by mmamajor » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:31 am

Awesome...love these kind of threads!
42 GPW 19671 5-18-42 Louisville
42 GPW 53244 7-28-42 Dearborn
43 GPW 116885 5-18-43 Louisville # 20388364
43 GPW 124588 6-28-43 Dallas # 20386887
44 GPW 184360
M-1 Bomb lift
M-5 Bomb Trailer

Andy Cole
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:36 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Andy Cole » Thu May 21, 2015 6:36 pm

Progress have been slow, but progress is better than standing still or backing up.

I got the bottom plate of the carriage made, and the 6 threaded attachment points. It also got everything tuned up so that everything is free and clear during traversing. It was a pain in the rear, but I finally got it after taking it apart 10-15 times.

I also got the armor supports made, and the armor drilled and bolted up.

Next will be the traverse mechanism.....wish me luck!

Image

Image

Andy
1943 Willys MB285433 D.O.D. 12-3-1943
1951 M100 trailer D.O.D. 3/51
1951 M37 Truck D.O.D. 5-28-1951
M3 37MM ATG
M3A4 Hand Cart
Wife D.O.Delivery 7-21-1979
Boy D.O.Delivery. 2-15-2007
Girl D.O.Delivery. 4-9-2009
Girl D.O.Delivery. 10-23-2012

marie'sjeep43
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 272
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:12 pm
Location:

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by marie'sjeep43 » Tue May 26, 2015 2:21 pm

WOW Great looking Job!!!!!!!!!!

User avatar
redcoat54th
G-First Sergeant
G-First Sergeant
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:05 pm
Location: Cleveland, Georgia.

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by redcoat54th » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:16 am

I am also building one. I started with the Mac Replica idea and tried to make it a bit more realistic. Yours by the way is over the top fantastic. Where did you find the blueprints? I have been working from pictures etc. Thanks, Bob

User avatar
Falldownjaeger
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 347
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:19 pm
Location: FL, USA

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Falldownjaeger » Sun Jun 07, 2015 11:21 am

There was a time Deutsche-Optik was servicing WW2 German binos and riflescopes. The M6 is rather simple, a lense array with etched recticle. No elevation or windage turrets should be a simple cleaning, mold removal and fresh hydrogen purge.
1995 M1025A2 Orig 5SFG GMV ODA525 "Hammerhead"
1995 M1025A2 Orig 1st SFC GMV 5 Commanders In Extremis Force GMV
1984 Chenowth Interim Fast Attack Vehicle 061 'Horny Toad"

User avatar
1943Willysgpw
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2740
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:02 am
Location: Edmond, OK

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:31 am

Falldownjaeger wrote:There was a time Deutsche-Optik was servicing WW2 German binos and riflescopes. The M6 is rather simple, a lense array with etched recticle. No elevation or windage turrets should be a simple cleaning, mold removal and fresh hydrogen purge.
Say that again? WHAT?
"None of us are as smart as all of us"

1942 GPW 1871 DoD 2-27-42 Dallas Plant
1945 GPW 247890 DoD 1-26-45 Louisville Plant
1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
1952 M100

oldiron
G-Command Sergeant Major
G-Command Sergeant Major
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:38 am
Location: Land of Cows and Cheese!

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by oldiron » Thu Jun 11, 2015 12:10 pm

I think he "Meant" Nitrogen Purge !! Hydrogen would not work !!
Every day is a great and tomorrow will be even better

Andy Cole
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:36 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Andy Cole » Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:27 am

It has been a while....a loooong while since I posted anything concerning this build project. Honestly there has been little done. I did machine and build the recoil tube and buffer assembly, but I did not want to post pics of that yet. I did not want someone copying the design and then possibly using it for live fire and getting hurt. So I'll just leave it at that. Mine will look good I hope, and there'll be pics of the finished tube in place at some point.

I have started doing is working on the traverse and elevation mechanism. These have caused me much head and heart ache. I am definitely going to have to stray from the blue pints on these, as I do not have the machinery to manufacture such. I am working on two or three designs that should look "ok" but at the very least be sturdy and functional.

I know folks like to see the fabrication pics, so I hope to be able to post a finished part within the next week. However, today what I have to show are the programmed parts to be cut to make the Tool box and battery box that mounts to the armor.

I am going to cut them this afternoon and hopefully begin the fabrication process. My head tells me it will not take long, but past experience tells me I am going to hit several unforeseen bumps along the way.

Andy

Image
1943 Willys MB285433 D.O.D. 12-3-1943
1951 M100 trailer D.O.D. 3/51
1951 M37 Truck D.O.D. 5-28-1951
M3 37MM ATG
M3A4 Hand Cart
Wife D.O.Delivery 7-21-1979
Boy D.O.Delivery. 2-15-2007
Girl D.O.Delivery. 4-9-2009
Girl D.O.Delivery. 10-23-2012

Andy Cole
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 474
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:36 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Andy Cole » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:49 pm

Today I got the parts for the Tool/Battery box cut, and most of the box made.

Here are the parts cut and ready for cleaning and assembly.

Image

I had to get creative when I was trying to figure out how to make the lid, which would have been stamped one piece. I obviously do not have the press or dies for mass production, so I designed the corners to be rolled and welded.

Here is the before welding pic.

Image

After welding a polishing.

Image

You know that you are a bit OCD when you make your own hinges from scratch.

Here are two pics of the tool box with lid and hinges. It is not exact. My bead roller will not run the corners like the original. So, a bead on each side and the latch end will have to do. It is just sitting on the armor support for looks. I had all I could stand of it today. More tomorrow maybe.

Image
Image
1943 Willys MB285433 D.O.D. 12-3-1943
1951 M100 trailer D.O.D. 3/51
1951 M37 Truck D.O.D. 5-28-1951
M3 37MM ATG
M3A4 Hand Cart
Wife D.O.Delivery 7-21-1979
Boy D.O.Delivery. 2-15-2007
Girl D.O.Delivery. 4-9-2009
Girl D.O.Delivery. 10-23-2012

Bill, Idaho
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 643
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:47 pm
Location: Caldwell, Idaho

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by Bill, Idaho » Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:46 pm

Years ago I built a 450 horsepower supercharged alcohol injected funnybike from the frame up. I fabricated everything, and even did most of the engine machining.

That being said.......................................
This project impresses the livin' tar right out of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11813
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: 37mm anti tank gun build....non-DD

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:29 pm

Very nice and detailed job. As for heat treating, since it won't actually be placed into service, nothing will be needed to be hard, but if you wanted to, low carbon steel can be case hardened with Kasenite; it is very easy.
As for your recoil mech; please post pics. You are not responsible for what someone else does with them.
I would make it a black powder cannon; next you should build a rifling machine for it. A piece of DOM tubing will work for the tube. 1.5 ID, and 5 inches OD at the breech; I measured a friend's real one last week.
If you need any castings, there is a place here that will cast anything in bronze or aluminum.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch


Post Reply

Return to “Weapons”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests