Steam Tug WATTLE

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick….

I would like to stick to the master plan, that John has laid out but … am not brave enough to seal down the deck as yet, will make it a part of the semi fix so I can get in and out to see every thing is ok.

Also have not got your great metal working skills and had a big problem looking for the funnel vents…for the deck, but have found my best fit.

>>yours is looking good now as well, are you going to make the davits and cradle from brass?I have a spare tow hook I made,<<

I will do my best to make these parts, and thank you for the kind offer of the tow hook, but managed to pick one up from the Blackpool boat show.. it was on the Marine model stall, I will adapt this.

When I have fit some vents and the tow hook, will post a pick.

Thanks again … Mick..

Best regards,

Ian

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Coming along nicely, Ian. Love that stern grating…

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi AJ…

> Love that stern grating<<

Thanks for looking in and the kind words.

I have been getting some great advice from Bob, reference the hull and the method used for making the rivet panels.

I will give this a try….meanwhile some picks and a couple of helpers…lol

Started on the vent pipe and whistle also the stanchion..

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Assembled the windlass..

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ian

Don`t forget the capping strip for the bulwarks….

Bob

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob..

>>Don`t forget the capping strip for the bulwarks….<<

Thanks Bob.. I keep looking at the wood to use for this, and how to bend it …

did you saw along the edge to get that curve….looks great.

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian

I would make a card sample first, then draw round it on thin ply and cut it out on the bandsaw/fretsaw

It's a tricky job, but worth the effort

Bob

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

Hi! Ian, get a piece of card and pin it to the top and mark it round then add 2mm on the outside then the thickness of the bulwark + 2mm then attack with a sharp craft knife then repeat for tother side its only 1.5mm stuff,

its looking very nice now I went and forgot to get spray paint for funnel etc. wednesday so am stuck again until next week now, suppose I could be filling the two deck halves and rubbing down but in between I am tempted to make a start on the swift pcf its easy to cut out of the depron could have the skeleton built in a couple of days,

mick

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

I dont think there is any riveting on the hull think it was one of the first all welded hull's however there is on the deckhousing,

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I think welding was invented in 1944

Bob

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob and Mick…

Will have a go on the capping as you describe.. I have left this out of the work load at the moment as I have built the deck so it is removable to help with the installation of the batteries and motor/ electronics.

As the hull is taking some time to dry after all the resin and cloth/ primer work.

This has allowed me to play around with the small fixture and fittings.

The riveting …. I hope John Parker will look in some time if he is not to busy….…

In the winter 2013 model boat mag… it shows some pictures of the Wattle taken at Melbourne in 2005 and another in dry dock 2011 with restoration work in progress.

Its difficult to see if they are replacement steel sheets welded or riveted.

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Mick…

>>its looking very nice now I went and forgot to get spray paint for funnel etc. wednesday so am stuck again until next week now, suppose I could be filling the two deck halves and rubbing down but in between I am tempted to make a start on the swift pcf<<

Thanks for the compliment I hope the pipe bending passes muster….lol

I have the number of the paints, I am using and the Halfords spray colours if its easer for you to order on line?

You are so right..Mick…it is a hobby and we have no fixed schedule and can jump in and out of the build, but don't want to turn into another unfinished project…lol

The swift is a good looking side line and the amount of variation, I do like the torpedo boat, but as you say, you can pick and choose.

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

As Bob said about the date for welding hulls 1944 and the build of the original Wattle 1930s..

Rivet or weld……

[Yabbie1Participant @yabbie1]

Hello Ian and co., the Wattle was built with a riveted hull which, for the reasons given in my article, I wimped out of reproducing on the model. For the restoration, most of the lower hull is being replaced with large plates welded into place. This understandably upsets some people because it is not authentic, but the reality is that the restoration would not be practical with riveted plates, due to it being largely a lost skill and therefore very expensive. Yabbie1.

Edited By Yabbie1 on 31/10/2014 21:51:08

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi John…

Thanks for the clarity… I went back to your article and its all there in plain view Principal particulars…Riveted…

I also re read the link to the Wattle restoration site …

**LINK**

Some great pics and a better idea of what size plates to use on the model.

Following Bobs method of card riveting.

Thanks again to one and all,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

yes a senior moment on my part I know I had read something that mentioned welding somewhere but it just hit me when Iain said he went back to johns article so I did and yup its thur in black and white LOL! never mind I am still not doing it as I dont have the know how Ian has on the subject I have a plan of the plating for a tug and it just looks too complicated with the weird shapes around the rear end,

so I am just masking arount the stack ready to spray it when I get the right colour

all the best mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick…

I know what you mean…

I like the idea of the rivet plates and would like to give it a go.

Had a look through the Wattle site pictures and its not to clear how they plated the tug around the stern.

If you have a plan of the tug plating, is it on the internet or a purchased plan.

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian

It will be quite a difficult job the cover the tricky stern area with riveted plates, due to the complex curved shape

I would create the illusion of riveted plates by covering the easy areas of the hull above the deck level, where the rivets can easily be seen

Knowing that the hull is being restored by fitting welded plates, this may be a good excuse for having plain areas?

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 02/11/2014 18:50:24

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob…

Thanks for the input, it is a great idea and a great help to see a picture of the method you have used.

Also excellent advice on the way to cope with the stern area.

Thanks again,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

it was on a web page think I downloaded it shows an splayed out flat plan of the plates on a tug similar to wattle will have a search for it

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

like the becker rudder but like the riveting more hows he done that? I have tried a few diferent ways but not with much success, can almost figure out the plating but just want to get it finished now, cleared away a space in the shed so I could spray the hull and as I came out the shed what started rain dont believe it been fine all day so have to wait yet again good news is going to the docs and nurse for bloods and stuff so can call at garage to see if they have a spray thats something like, if not will see if I can get ivory colour of the internet,

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick..

>> plan of the plates on a tug similar to wattle will have a search for it<<

Thanks Mick… hope it does not take up to much time.

>>like the becker rudder but like the riveting more hows he done that?<<

Bob, said he has used card and punch marked the card turned it over so it looks like the rivets and glue the card plat to the hull before painting or primer filler.

Sound a great idea..

>>can almost figure out the plating but just want to get it finished now<<

I can under stand this as you have been working on the Wattle a lot longer than me.

>>cleared away a space in the shed so I could spray the hull and as I came out the shed what started rain dont believe it been fine all day so have to wait yet <<

It is a problem with the weather changing to get the spray painting done, and it is cooling so cant get the finish I would like…bringing the parts in to the house to dry off, until her in doors complains about the paint smell….lol

>>going to the docs and nurse for bloods and stuff so can call at garage to see if they have a spray thats something like, if not will see if I can get ivory colour of the internet,<<

Good luck with the bloods and every thing, hope you ok, and find the paints you are looking for.

Best regards,

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick..

>> like the riveting more how's he done that? I have tried a few different ways but not with much success, <<

I have had a trial go at the way Bob Abell, explained..

Made a template from card.. marked out the points for the punch..

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

once the card has been punch marked cut out the plates to hopefully scale size…. and turn over to show the affect of rivets

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

cut out the plates and stick them to a test plate to represent the hull…

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