another Barrel back launch

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Well here we go some time back now I spotted Paul’s barrel back launch build thread and it took me right back to my early teenage years when we used to hire a very similar boat on the Thames at Reading. So I thought why not. Paul very kindly sent me his plans and after some tweaking to scale things down I now have drawings for a 1m version. my intention to build as cheaply as possible with out compromising quality. to this end I’m using an electric motor that I have left over from my 1/10th scale car racing days, also all the shafts bronze bushes and gears came from the same source. It will pull 360w comfortably and I plan to use it to power twin props. to make sure it will work I’ve 1st built the gearbox

The whole unit should simply bolt to 2 rails in the bottom of the hull. The power will come from 2 x 3300mah 7.2v NiMh packs in parallel to give me a decent run time. I’m not sure what the rpm of this motor is but it is quick and should give a respectable turn of speed via two 25/30mm 3 blade brass props. if any of you know where I can lay my hands on a cheap ish pair (lh & rh) all suggestions welcome. Many thanks to paul et al for help given so far.

Edited By Phil Winks 1 on 24/04/2009 13:18:01

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

This will be a 2/3rds copy of the fat controllers

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Phil

 

It all looks very interesting and a fun gadget to build, but surely………….two simple motors would have been more efficient?

 

Just a thought……………Bob

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Your right it prob would’ve been simpler Bob but shortage of gears (I only had the one 64 tooth spur gear) and given the pulling power of these car motors I felt that there would be ample ooomph in just one. Plus I love a challenge  especially one that costs Zero £’s. A thought that occoured to me in the wee small hrs was would this style of launch have had nav lights I really can’t remember from my childhood. also who sells deck fittings for this scale of boat or am I going to have to fashion my own. I’m thinking fairleads and cleats etc also maybe a flagstaff at the stern oh and I’ll need a convincing stearing wheel and control panel etc.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

You`ll have to make your own fittings……………….just copy what Paul makes for his BB?

 

Cleats and fairleads will probably be available………………but the chrome windscreen and hull edging will be tricky………………that`s why the kits are so expensive!

 

All the best and post some pictures………………..Bob

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Thanks Bob just found this bit of inspiration during a quiet moment at work. this what I remember from my youth

Your right about the chrome being difficult however I do have an Idea. I’m going to try using some allclad chrome laquer. used it once on a scale classic car for the bumpers and very convincing it is

Edited By Phil Winks 1 on 25/04/2009 11:21:35

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

oops went to edit that last answer and clicked ignore button on bobs post  how do I undo that one

Edited By Phil Winks 1 on 25/04/2009 11:21:54

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Phil

 

I am avoiding chrome trim on the hull and windscreen and using more understated mahogany instead, but this is just a personal choice as I don’t like to much bling.

 

The shop chain Lidi are selling a chrome car trim that might do the trick for you.

 

My 1:12 piano hinges for the engine bay hatch covers and foling windscreen arrived this morning so I will be spending the afternoon playing with tiny screws.

There is an advantage to working at a large scale as many parts can be found on dolls house sites.

 

Paul

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Can see your point paul just feal that a bit round the windscreen and maybe those vents would look ok not convinced that I want a chrome rubbing strip as if memory serves the ones we used to hire on the thames at reading were all mahogany finish with a timber strip

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Just thought I’d share this with you all. a freind of mine got to shepton mallet show earlier this month (april) and look what he spotted proper inspiration eh

.
Not to sure about the brass I think I’d prefer chrome but a nice job never the less wish I’d got to the show

[Dr John BoothParticipant @drjohnbooth43899]

Given the amount of cursing that Paul has done whilst he made his seats I don’t think that he would be to happy about trying to emulate this superb example.

I wonder how the windscreen was made as it appears to have a curved timber frame.

 

John

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

For the windscreen edging…………….I would make a jig to hold a length of plastic tubing in a tight channel, held at each end and slit with a knife and straightedge?

 

It`s just a suggestion……………..Bob

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Either that Bob or maybe using some of B&Q’s thin perspex and their Ali U channel which would take a curve with a little persuasion still got some time to think this bit through the prob I’ve not got any answers to yet is what to do about the things like cleats and fair-leads oh and those neat little dials Paul’s fitted to his. it did occur to me that if I could find a small enough Volt and ammeter in that style they could be made to work but were do you find meters that are only an inch to an inch and a half diameter

Edited By Phil Winks 1 on 01/05/2009 09:20:48

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

 

I drew the guages on the CAD, printed them on photo paper, cut them out and covered them with clear plastic, then used chrome jump rings (craft items) as the rims

Paul

Edited By The Fat Controller on 01/05/2009 19:51:12

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Thanks for that Paul as you can see I’ve had a couple of hrs in the shed this lot is just dry fitted atm but already that wonderfull curved stern line is evident

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

 

I made the compasses for the Britannia`s in the same manner…….but used the “Printmaster” programme

 

Any progress on the motor side of things?

 

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Phil

It’s a bit surreal seeing my design being built by somebody else.

The frames look very crisp and better cut than mine were, what wood have you used? 

Paul

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Hi ya Paul I know the feeling had the same experience with a model aircraft I designed a bit back. I’m using 9mm marine ply, cut with a hand held jigsaw and a specilist plywood blade. i go round the cut line with a very sharp knife 1st to stop any spelching. (although you still get a bit) please remind me what you used for the  sub skin on the hull. I’ve located some marine ply sheets that are 1.5mm and thought I’d use 2 layers with a grp skin inside the hull for a bit more strength and to guarentee water tigthness. my only prb is these sheets are only 500mm x 350mm so joins would have to be made along the length, however with 2 layers they could be staggered.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Phil

 

I used 3mm ply that came in 8ft x 4ft sheet but I did have a problem forming the barrel curve around the frame as the ply didn’t want to bend around such a tight radius.

 

I will send you a pm rgarding the frame.

 

Paul

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Thats what I thought Paul so reckon I’ll go for the 1.5mm stuff as it will roll easier end thickness will be the same after 2 layers are fitted. thanks for the PM it was helpfull

 

Progress today formers all glued in should get top and botom frames fitted tomorrow

Edited By Phil Winks 1 on 02/05/2009 16:23:31

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Today has been a good day progress so far all the frames are glued up and she’s ready for some serious work with a block plane and sanding block to ready her for the sub skin and planking

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Another good day despite the dodgy weather. (just a good exscuse to stop in the shed ) After much work with the block plane and many sheets of sand paper, she is ready for skinning over. however before I start that I intend to do a full trial fit of the motor and radio gear, this will all be fitted to removeable trays so producing modules that can by removed for maintenance/alteration.

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Another good day despite the dodgy weather. (just a good exscuse to stop in the shed ) After much work with the block plane and many sheets of sand paper, she is ready for skinning over. however before I start that I intend to do a full trial fit of the motor and radio gear, this will all be fitted to removeable trays so producing modules that can by removed for maintenance/alteration.

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Not sure what happened above I only posted it once honest Guv

[Phil Winks 1Participant @philwinks1]

Manged a little time on the barrel back today and have the hatch and cockpit frames glued in just need to fettle them to final shape.

One little disaster I had was that shortly after starting on this my trusty 5yr old 24v Bosch jigsaw turned its toes up burning out its motor. Repair costs were going to be astronomical so it was of to the bin and out came my mains powered one the silver lining is that it was powered by 2600mah sub c NiMh’s so ever one to recycle I now have 3 x 6s2p 7.2v 5200mah packs and the bonus is that with this level of bty power I think I will be going for 2 direct drive motors and 25mm 3 blade brass props

A 12 cell custom pack should keep her going for a bit eh.

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