Where do I start?

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Where do I start?

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19 March 2008 at 10:20 #12994
Andy Evans
Participant
@andyevans50744
Hello… I’m nre to the forum, and to model boats. I’ve just been to an exhibition local to us here in Germany with Eldest Son, and he fell in love with the radio controlled boats. I was able to persuade him that parhaps a model of a supertanker wasn’t going to fit into the bath, but we are looking at getting him something as a suprise.

I fopund the article on building ‘Tomsk’ which is the sort of project I could envisage starting with, especially as I already scratch and kit build model 1:43 and 1:55 trains. I am aware that there is a big difference between a model built for a nice cosy railway and one that has to contend with real water but I’d prefer to build the model with Eldest Son rather than just present him with an off-the-shelf model. We are also working on a tight budget, so a kit for under a tenner appeals. Oh, and he is mad about tug boats.

What we don’t know is what to do about the inside workings: I have not got a clue what motors, controls, recievers (servos?) etc, would be needed. I guess the legal frequencies are different in Germany, things like that usually are, but if I can figure out what is needed and find pictures I can usually translate that into German.

Any thoughts on how we can start would be appreciated.

Andy in Germany
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19 March 2008 at 18:56 #13000
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hello Andy in Germany.

I doubt that you will get anything decent for under a tenner, perhaps a small plastic kit which might only be suitable for sailing in the bath.

You mention that you are used to scratch building model trains. Could your skills extend to scratch building a model boat,

I have a plan for a fairly easy build tug which if correctly re-sized on the computer will produce a set of full size drawings for a 3ft long model. The plan is a Vic Smeed TID tug which is a very popular first build for the tug fans.

Fitted out with a basic radio set, 2 servos, speed controller and 600 size electric motor will give you a very respectable model.

If this is any help then I could e mail the plan to you.

Paul
20 March 2008 at 11:07 #13005
Andy Evans
Participant
@andyevans50744
Thanks Paul, I’ve PM’d my address to you. My main concern with scratchbuilding is all the compound curves of the bows and stern. That and not leaving any holes in the hull- that’s why I though startingwith at least a bac formed hull I could work on from there.

Youv’e put in a list of other things, like servos, speed controllers, and a 600 size electric motor. Could you describe what these are and what they do?

Andy in Germany
20 March 2008 at 12:19 #13006
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hi Andy

The TID is a fairly easy model to build, when the full size version was designed it was intended to be built very fast by small engineering companies many of whom had never built boats before, many were built for the navy during WW2.

The design has a flat bottom and very easy curves.

Servos: Are the little electric motors that are activated by the radio signal, they come in black boxes usually with a small arm on top.

The servo is used to turn the rudder or to control a mechanical speed controller or any other function on the model that you want to move.

Speed Controllers: These are either mechanical or electronic and are activated by the radio signal they are used to regulate the speed and forward/reverse action of the electric motor.

600 size: Refers to a size of electric motor, most manufacturers build a motor of this size but they might call it something else.

For a better idea of what is involved you should buy a copy of Model Boat Mag it is packed full of great tips and advice.

Hope this helps.

Paul
21 March 2008 at 20:17 #13030
commander doug
Participant
@commanderdoug
Hi Andy, if you are going to scatch build and if you use balsa for building the hull, spray it with amonia and you will find that if will bend to any curve that you want

Doug
22 March 2008 at 12:37 #13038
Len Ochiltree
Participant
@lenochiltree67043
Hi Andy,

With tricky curves at front and rear a lot of people use solid balsa then carve to shape.

Len.
22 March 2008 at 12:47 #13040
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Andy

Can’t e mail the plan as I don’t have your e mail address

Paul
22 March 2008 at 13:07 #13041
Andy Evans
Participant
@andyevans50744
Sorry Paul, I thought I’d sent a private message with it… still getting the hang of the software.

korschtal@gmail.com

Many thanks

Andy
23 March 2008 at 10:43 #13046
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hi Andy

No problem, the internet is very busy at the moment so I am unable to upload the files but I will try again later

All the best

Paul
2 April 2008 at 16:28 #13181
learner john
Participant
@learnerjohn78074
Hi! As you can asume I’m new to boat building!!! Had a go at building a boat but came unstuck as the balsa sides decided to take a much different path to the drawing , used Ammonia a lot at work,but I am intrigue as to why it will allow Balsa to take up different shapes.

Any chance of collating these tips? As I have just produced a couple of perfect masts from an old fishing rod….all thanks to this forum.
3 April 2008 at 13:43 #13204
Telstar
Participant
@telstar
Hi Andy

I know Germany is a big place, and I don’t know which part you live. But I do know there is a big model fair/show in Dortmund in April I think 14 to 20, Member of my local club (Peterborough) will have some boats on display there, they tell me some good bargins can be got.

Preview of some of our models on http://www.pambc.org.uk/page4.htm

cheers Tom
9 January 2009 at 19:20 #1552
Andy Evans
Participant
@andyevans50744
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