Tugboat Craig

Advert

New Replies

Report Bug

Help/FAQs

Tugboat Craig

This topic is empty.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 54 total)

1 2 3 →

Author

Posts
28 November 2008 at 20:04 #17293
Stephen Brown
Participant
@stephenbrown75984
Is anybody building Tugboat Craig which appeared in the recent "Tugs and Warships" winter special edition of the magazine. I’ve just obtained the plans and started work yesterday. This is a first working model for me although I have done a static model so any help/ advice would be much appreciated.
Advert

9 January 2009 at 19:20 #6521
Stephen Brown
Participant
@stephenbrown75984
25 January 2009 at 13:38 #18150
Chris Nelson
Participant
@chrisnelson67000
I am starting the Craig in a few days and have been reading the model boat magazine with the craig featured in its pages. I don’t understand however, how the bottom of the wheelhouse/engine house is made to curve to the same level as the deck??? I see it slips of the built in lip in the deck space but how do you get a good fit with the bottom o the deckhouse and the actual deck?

Chris.
23 March 2009 at 08:18 #19628
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Hi Chaps,

I have just started building the Craig. I have the frames cut out and the base board marked up ready to take the frames. This is the first fibreglassing I will have ever done.

Stephen,

I have built several working models, so just ask away.

Chris,

I am not quite sure, Inuderstand your question. Getting the lines right for a good fit is a matter of trial and error. try using a card template, cutting it down till you are happy with the profile and transfer this to the wood.
24 March 2009 at 04:31 #19676
Yabbie1
Participant
@yabbie1
G’day Chris, Barry and hopefully still Stephen,

Craig was my design and article so time permitting I should be able to answer queries on its construction.

Chris, once I had the basic deckhouse “wrap” I marked the highest point at the front of the wheelhouse, joined it in a smooth curve to the rear of the superstructure as per the plan, cut oversize and then carefully sanded to fit. As Barry suggests, you could use a cardboard template first. Take your time, a poor fit will detract from the model. It is a smooth natural curve, so should not be too difficult to match. Hope this helps.

John.
24 March 2009 at 05:40 #19679
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Barry, Stephen and Chris, please post some photos of your builds as they progress, as I also have that plan, and it appeals to me. I will follow your builds with interest.

Peter.
24 March 2009 at 08:05 #19688
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Good morning Yabbie 1. Your design and article were excellent and inspired me to have ago at scratch building a hull for an RC model. It is good to know we have “The man” available to answer questions. By the way, I am sorry but I used the medieveil way of marking out the frames, using a compass point, I just found it easier….sorry.

Peter,

Watch this space …
24 March 2009 at 10:13 #19693
Yabbie1
Participant
@yabbie1
Barry,

Your method of frame marking probably expains why my Craig has suddenly taken on a deathly pallor….. but glad you liked the article.
25 March 2009 at 08:37 #19735
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Okay a few early photos. Now don’t cringe Yabbie 1…
1 April 2009 at 18:28 #19873
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Planking has been done now and the hull removed from its board. I just need to do some finisheing, a little filling, sanding and then onto the glassing!!!!!
1 April 2009 at 22:19 #19881
Yabbie1
Participant
@yabbie1
Nothing cringeworthy here Barry, you are making splendid progress. I hope the others will be able to join in and provide mutual support as I can only check the forum out occassionally. It is both gratifying and a little nerve wracking to see your creation being duplicated elsewhere! Your weather should be getting a little warmer now for the glassing.
1 April 2009 at 23:24 #19882
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Barry, it’s looking good. Are you using balsa planks, as in the original article? If so, what thickness are they?

Peter.
2 April 2009 at 08:27 #19883
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Yabbie1,

Thanks for that. It is nervewracking, having the original builder and plan maker watching your work. That said, it is also very rewarding…..Cheers.

Peter,

Yes I am using balsa planks which are 3mm thick. The planks are cut, in varying widths from 10mm to 15 mm, using my trusty and new Proxxon table saw. Still got the stern to build up and quite a bit of finishing to do before glassing.
3 April 2009 at 00:00 #19891
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
The Proxxon saw is a great bit of gear, I don’t know how I managed without one for so many years. I’ve had mine for 2 years now, and it gets lots of work.

Peter.
3 April 2009 at 09:54 #19899
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
It is a cracking piece of kit to be sure…I managed to track down the polyester resin and various grades of cloth, all for 11 Euros, which has made me a happy man. I hope to start the fibreglassing this weekend. It is the first time I have done any so will concentrate on the inside first!!
4 April 2009 at 02:33 #19921
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
We’re very fortunate to have a fibreglass supplies firm in town, and the proprietor is very friendly towards modellers. He has a wide range of cloth weights, and is always ready to help with advice.

I don’t think you will have any problems, Barry, but just be sure to keep air bubbles out from under the cloth by working the epoxy in well. I look forward to hearing of your progress.

Peter.
6 April 2009 at 20:45 #19972
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
I have finished the internal glassing without problem. It was good to get some practice in before moving onto the outside. The hull is now hard enough to allow fairly easy sanding of the external planks, although I have found I needed some filling and resanding where the planks had not quite laid flat enough. Any way, I hope to get on with glassing the outside in the next day or two so will post some photos when I have done it..

Barry
7 April 2009 at 15:58 #20014
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
I have now glassed the inside to strengthen the hull. Sanded and filled where needed on the outside of the hull and put the first layer of fibreglass matting and resin on. Must nip out and trim it before it sets too hard.

The second layer is to be done with a fine cloth, which should make finishing easier, I hope.
7 April 2009 at 16:36 #20019
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
I am supposed to give a final coat of resin with microballoons, but have no idea what they are, or why it is necessary to use them. Any ideas please??
7 April 2009 at 20:38 #20027
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Microballoons are very small spheres used to bulk out the resin to a creamy consistency and make it easier to sand down to a smooth finish.

For a description see here: http://www.deluxematerials.com/products_building.html

Colin
7 April 2009 at 21:52 #20029
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Thanks Colin……..and you beat the other forum…….Must be getting better…
11 April 2009 at 18:27 #20162
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
I have today finished the glassing so the whole thing has been put aside for a few days before I start the sanding into a smooth finish…I hope!!
11 April 2009 at 18:29 #20163
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
The fully glassed hull
20 April 2009 at 12:26 #20336
Yabbie1
Participant
@yabbie1
Barry’s been quiet for a while… I hope the sanding hasn’t got to him.
20 April 2009 at 18:51 #20340
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Quiet says the man……..Sanding, sandinmg and more sanding…….Not quite a quarter of the way through it. I knew it would be difficult, but did not expect it to be this hard……It will not beat me. I am determined to have a super smooth hull, so back to it tomorrow!!

Thanks for looking in Yabbie 1. Keep watching..
Author

Posts