Todays Boating

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by ashley needham on 27/03/2016 09:14:00:

Andy. 130W according to Maplin's.. The Homebase item I have is a 12v/transformer job and has never been satisfactory. I looks like it may have a 385 motor in it. I have used it over the years to drill very small holes, but even then it did not cut the mustard. The non-Dremmelly corded items I have seen all look the same and no doubt come off the same production line.

I feel a trip to Maplin's coming on.

Ashley

 

I use one of these (random example picked from ebay – no intention to recommend this seller)  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Combitool-Rotary-Multitool-Combi-Multi-Tool-240v-Electric-Dremel-Compatible-/391292097711?hash=item5b1ad394af:g:YgkAAOSw9mFWG9lJ

You are right that the Multicraft type tools working off a transformer are limited in power, and the direct mains-powered motors have MUCH more oomph…

You can see that there are many different badges, but broadly the same design. I recommend getting a hanging set with a flexible drive shaft – I now use mine constantly. In fact, I've bought one for each of my sons as well…

The only weak point I have noted is that the variable speed switch uses a simple sliding pot which can fail to work if you get it dirty or distort the slider spring with too much pressure – but it is easy to disassemble and clean up. I got mine from ebay where the price is to die for…!

 

 

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 27/03/2016 13:03:21

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

I got mine from Clas Olson all the Dremel accesories fit it too.

Speed is adjustable in 1,000 rpm increments by up / down buttons, not worn it out yet.

[Steve Walker 1Participant @stevewalker1]

Ashley, see my post on Lidl topic. Sale of Dremel 3000-15 on Amazon deal at 3pm. Will be £30. No flexible drive shaft with that.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Maplins have delivered the goods and what a difference after struggling with the tiny small thing I had before. In the bin it goes (after I have whipped the motor out, of course)

Tomorrow looks like it might be nice and I may break out Alvis McAlvis face, and possibly Project No2 McProject No2 face, never know.

Ashley​

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well today v nice, Alvis, Toyboata going very well, and the BHA especially well on its new 5×4 props, best its ever been.

Andy had a new animal on the pond, a whopping great sharks head, complete with three sorts of teeth and blood. Leg on its way. Being rescued by a diver when I arrived, something to do with water…..

Spencer also down a man long time no see with his large cruiser, 4 foot or so I think, and first outing for over a year after some hull repairs, also to do with water.

Iain is the geezer:-. new build, a Minion, Kevin, on a life ring. Perfect, what a superb professional finish. Such fun. Made us larf, how we larfed, everytime we looked at it. Fantastic, what a crowd pleaser.

I hate him. I know what he is making next and I shall hate him a bit more if it is as good on the water as the small snap I saw, and I know it will be…

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 03/04/2016 15:40:28

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Project No4 is coming to its conclusion, barring a test float and under power to see where the ballast needs to be put. I was surprised at the amount of ballast I had to use considering it is similar to something else in my collection which has NO ballast! Thank the gods for nice clean flat lead flashing, getting the weight tucked in out of sight.

I did have a bath test last week (as above) in order to get a feel for ballast/waterline and so on, and applied a battery to the propulsion unit motors and wow….water everywhere. BUT I have had this before, and the bath motor test always looks impressive, and never matches the on-the-water results. I am not expecting much in the way of speed due to the peculiar shape, much less any turning ability, but you never know.

I will probably take it down on Sunday for a pond test as I have a suspicion that the static waterline and the on-the-move waterline may be different needing for instance a slight nose down trim when stationary.

Trevor….pr?????

The only other decision is what to take down to counter Kevin……

Ashley

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Ashley,

First prototype will be ready for tethered voyage on Sunday – no idea what may happen !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well nice morning. Invincible, Boxer and Proj No4. Invincible going well, but cutting out on full throttle and I had to swap the motor wires?? odd as nowt has changed since last time…

Proj No4 only a quick test as the steering servo was shuddering on full throw (?) but certainly went ok, I see that some ballast needs removing. Not likely to alter waterline but will make it more buoyant at the waterline, all will be revealed ;later.

Trevor: Valiant attempt with prototype but wet water got the better of the electrics. Looked quite workmanlike and the articulation between front and rear was good and ok for the finished product. Someone recognised it for what it was supposed to be (even at the "rubber boat" stage) so you cant say fairer than that.

Kevin made an appearance, and the hippo…and….oh yes, an S-boat, but no one looked at that…

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

the silicon tube I have ordered turned up and I thought to replace the u/j on a couple of landing craft to see how we get on. The grip on the brass bits seems firm enough. The tube is 6.5mm I/d and 12mm o/d so a good wall thickness. The brass bits are splined and about 8mm in diameter over the splines (these are the normal common red u/j types)
​What I did not expect was the difficulty in removing the 2mm propshaft. They have corroded somewhat and I have had to wire-wool and grease them to refit. I must say I did not expect to see this much corrosion, and the second lander was the same.

I am going to purchase some stainless steel 2mm servo rods, and 2mm thread props and change all the prop shafts on all the landers with these cheap units. I suppose you get what you pay for. I dare say I can take off at least some of the props to re-use.

I also took the opportunity to glue in more battens to hold the lead ballast weights in place a bit better. They were just wedged in here and there and after the balloon jousting shenanigans a few weeks ago (which was definitely a contact sport) these weights had moved somewhat !

Ashley

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Ashley,

Will be worth looking into 2mm stainless bicycle spokes too.

Sounds like the landers will be battle ready again soon.

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ashley

I found a strange vessel and thought of ewe !!!

**LINK**

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Harry. yes, not seen a commercial working model before. This was on the list somewhere but low down….I may scrub it off now I have seen an RtR version.

Sunday was a fabulous morning but I only had time for a quick retest of Proj No4, now completed. Found I had removed too much ballast and have added another 70g in the middle to compensate.

Going well. surprisingly well considering the shape, and manoeuvrable!! cant believe something this ungainly is so turnable. Without giving anything away, I have used 40mm brass TWO blade props (as I saw them suggested on one drawing) and the MFA 540/1 low power motors spin them quite well on a standard 7.2V stick.

It was however too sunny for pictures. The hull was bleached out and the shadows were jet black. I need a slightly almost overcast day during the week to pop to the pond and take some snaps.

I have one project left to finish now…so I am almost ready for the next challenge. OOh the excitement! Whatever next?

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Today I managed to get to the pond to photograph Proj No4. It was a bit blustery mind you, but we seemed to weather that ok. The sun went behind the clouds sufficiently for snaps to be taken.

there was the usual Saturday sailing contingent from I believe the Whitton club, including young Raymond, and besides Raymond, no one else was interested in my new little boat, but that's their loss. Who did I meet there also ,but young Andy C, also sailing a boat with his child/children (sorry wasn't paying attention). He said he was off to a well known local(ish) model shop to get some ply to have a go at a landing craft but I said no mate, you want a bit of 4mm ply from any one of several well known diy stores (not sure said model shops stocks 4mm ply in any case). Using 4mm ply means you do not have to strengthen any joints, as the material is thick enough to give a good gluing footprint. Was he reading the longish running D-Day thread??? tut tut. I thought not.

As an aside, Trevor has purchased a length of 1mm I/d, 3mm o/d silicon rubber tube to try out as a connector for the 385 motor/ 2mm shaft LCM setup we used. Given a longish length of 2mm shaft for the rubber to grip on, and the fact that the motor shaft is 2.3mm I think he should be ok, and this cheapens the cost of a lander build by about 6 or 7 quid. Good stuff.

Tomorrow I intent to take the Hovervan, Proj No4 and the Alvis to , well, I say no more. I might bung in a lander just in case as usual.

Ashley. Get those batteries charged up!!

 

Edited By ashley needham on 23/04/2016 21:23:08

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Hi Ashley

Nice to see you down the Pond, very nice model of a *********. Looking forward to seeing more of it.

Well I took your advise and went to my local DIY outfit, you know the one with two letters and & in the middle. Well, sorry for my language, but what sort of S&*£ are they trying to sell. The kids and I looked through a lot of junk before we found a nice piece. Quite a big piece though, but £12 though. I dare say my local model shop would either not have the right size or would be the same money for a smaller bit.

Anyway, I had already cut the plans out so used spray mount to stick it on. What a nightmare to cut out. First tried using a Stanley knife, to much like hard work that. Second cut it into smaller pieces with a hand saw and then tried to cut it out with a hand held scroll saw. Jeez, I must get myself an electric scroll saw. Would be sooo much easier. Will look online today. Should have bought the Lidl/Aldi one when I had the chance. Oh well back to the sawing.

Andy

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Andy, and nice to see you too. Its a bit of a lottery, ply from DIY places, but I feel sure that the model shop would not stock this size, and the cheaper alternative is getting a big sheet from a woodyard…but this of course is far too much to use, unless making dozens like I did!
A hand saw and perhaps a finer mitre saw will be ok for construction. The thinner strips will be tricky though. Using the bandsaw I think it took me about 10 mins to cut out ALL the pieces needed for a lander! If you want to make another, or something else I can always cut the bits up for you, you are not far away, and it doesn't take very long.

I would suggest a small bandsaw as a better buy rather than a scroll saw, but this would not be adequate for cutting up large bits of 4mm ply in any case. You can get thin blades for larger band saws, to use for cutting small radius curves, but it still depends on the room you have available to keep it.

Anyway, the ******* and Alvis were out on the pond, and together even, which was nice to contrast the styles and paintwork. AND THEN the wind got up. My word. Hasty retreat from the water as both boats were getting well and truly slopped with water….the Alvis, as its a dumpy thing, was pitching wildly and water was getting in the roof entry holes.

Iain had a MONSTER of a time, nice one, and Trevor had another testing time with his. HOWEVER a lot was learnt from this and I think the way forward is now clear.

Another chappie made his pond debut (and I am not sure I got a name) with a sailing vessel, big heavy sort, and arrived just as the wind was getting up.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ash

You had best be polite if the new chap is a big heavy sort.

I presume that ******** sailing with the Alvis is the same ********* that you have been developing and if so the pair would make for some great photos.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul. No and yes.

Why is it so difficult??? The 2mm spokes I ordered have arrived and they look super doper. I measured them with the micrometer…. 1.99mm, spot on.

I de-boxed a lander and whipped out the 2mm propshaft, this is one of the widely sold 2mm radioactive shaft/prop units. I tried a spoke on a 2mm threaded prop I recently purchased. It did not fit. I tried a spoke in the shaft, it did not fit.

Guess what size a 2mm radioactive shaft is?? Of course, guessed correctly, it is 1.75mm in diameter.

Luckily the spokes were not expensive, should I send back the props I recently purchased and say that they are not as described???? Are any other "2mm" props, from another manufacturer 2mm or wot??

Not happy.

Ashley

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Posted by ashley needham on 24/04/2016 14:01:54:

Andy, I think it took me about 10 mins to cut out ALL the pieces needed for a lander! If you want to make another, or something else I can always cut the bits up for you, you are not far away, and it doesn't take very long.

I would suggest a small bandsaw as a better buy rather than a scroll saw, but this would not be adequate for cutting up large bits of 4mm ply in any case. You can get thin blades for larger band saws, to use for cutting small radius curves, but it still depends on the room you have available to keep it.

Ashley that would be super. I need to make two of these things. One each for the kids. If you let me know when, I could meet you at the lake again and reimburse you for lumber and time. In the mean time I will continue to cut this one out by hand. You would not believe the colour schemes being suggested. But then it will be there boat I guess.

I have looked at Table top bandsaws and quite fancy the Scheppach HBS20. Looks like a nice little jobbie.

Andy

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well, as it was sunny in the garden I had a sudden burst of enthusiasm and thought I would put the new props on proj no1 and the "rudders" and get it ready to retest. Having done that (not the rudders) I connected up the LiPo and was met by any amount of bleeping and wotnot. Sigh. It was all ok last time, and nothing has changed… I am charging the LiPo in case that's the issue….

I have suggested to Andy , as he is equidistant to me or the pond from his location, that he pops over to cut his wood up, as he can then try out either bandsaw (table top and large) and get a feel of what he may want to buy. There's no substitute for trying tools out before buying. It is of course a room thing, if you have none, then it has to be a tabletop.

Homebase in Walton-upon-Thames have a stack of worktop band saws in stock at £77.  Cant remember make, nothing I have heard of, but a 2 year warranty even so. The only thing I didn't like about my small Clarke (machine mart`s own brand ) was the cutting guide/fence. It was one of the ones that clamps from both ends, and was very thick. I put a bit of steel channel at the front of the table and welded up a fence out of 3/4 angle iron, with a welded on nut so I can use a bolt with wingnut on top to clamp it tight. Much better, and I can guide the material to the very limit of the throat. The bit that is not so good is the sliding bit…fence…no not fence…whatever.. the aluminium that runs in the channel is a bit of a sloppy fit, not by much, but enough. One day I will cut a bit of something that's a really good fit, and that will be that.

Ashley

 

Edited By ashley needham on 28/04/2016 16:29:14

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Tomorrow supposing the weather is ok I shall be taking proj NO2 along..

Battery charged up in situ (as its difficult to get in and out without removing a steering servo)..one of TWO steering servos!! just for a novelty. It remains to be seen if the steering attached to the second servo will work properly..it has been jamming on full lock. I have beefed up the various arms and I am hoping it will be ok now. This secondary "steering" servo doesn't actually make much difference to the steering, it is just for "the look" of the original. I hope it is a bit calm tomorrow as this is a FAST boat!!, and nicely veneered, perhaps not to Paul T`s standards, but not bad.

ALSO I will be taking the Hovervan, and Project No4, which you may get to see in some months time, depending, and also seeing proj No2, a bit later on, also depending on a good run tomorrow.

I am expecting the usual menagerie to be there…..roar roar!! and who knows what else??

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Fabbydozo morning at the pond. usual menagerie present.

Hovervan. Connected battery and lift fan exploded into life waking everyone up incl yours truly. The lift fan is off the 5th channel on the T5 set, and has an electronic switch in the boat to turn the fan on/off. fan was permanently on, all the time. Funny this as Proj No1 was suffering from odd happenings so I am wondering if my 5th switch is duff….hope not. Couldn't be bothered to faff about changing channels at the pond.

Proj No2 photographed, but the battery had gone a bit low at the end and the high speed runs were not quite so high speed. I will have to return next week or even during the week to do the high speed run bit. Everyone saw it on form at the start though just to prove it does plane well. I m ay even try a Lipo as it sits low in the water, a consequence of downscaling something unusual. Secondary steering servo working well, after I had swapped over the tiller linkage at the rear so the two were working to turn the boat in the same direction!! Veneer looking swish in the sun.

Proj No4 put in the water but by this time the menagerie was in action and then Kevin was put in so I gave up.

6 of us. Where are all you boaters eh???

Ashley

[Andy CParticipant @andyc56856]

Apols. Ashley

We had the day in sunny Brighton. My god it was busy, and expensive to park. £27 for 4 hours. Well I say 4 hours, we were 5 minutes too late to get the next rate down. Oh well, nice coffee though.

Anyway, just been in the workshop cutting an chopping up endless bits of wood (except all the fiddly bits that go on the sides of the LCM, not going there) with all types of saws and a knife. Now need to start gluing it all together.

Get ready for a deluge of silly questions about how it goes together and when to fit all the electric stuff.

Glad you had a successful day, at the pond.

Cheers

Andy

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Good lord. Took project No2 down to the pond this afternoon to re-take pictures, this time with a Lipo on board, as the Nimh is weighing things down a bit. Firstly, the lesser weight did not make a massive difference to the static look, but secondly after I had snapped away a bit, I opened the throttle full…and my word….the thing nearly took off.

Incredible difference to not only the performance but the behaviour at speed, cant say too much but there used to water water everywhere, and now…there's almost fresh air under the hull.

Unable to snap the boat at speed as on my own, wait until Sunday. Reminder….May day parade Sunday, park gates closed 12.15-13.30 for this, so sharp finish to boating say 1130 latest.

Looks like the 5th channel on my T5 transmitter has gone….fiddled with changing channels on the hovervan, and the lift motor works ok on ch4, but not on ch5.. that's a real b****r.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Batteries charged. realised I had not polished proj No4, and so the water clinging to the highly varnished sides is a bit BIGGER (drops on the surface) than it might be. Have rectified this. Must be worth at least another1000 MPH extra top speed??

There is evidence in a couple of places of the veneer becoming detached from the carcass… I do hope that it will not spread. I can`t face doing bits of it again !!!

Tomorrow rocket powered proj No2 and pedestrian proj No4. As we will be smart away I may not bother to bring `owt else….poss a lander….we will see. Have loaded 12 bore gun for the usual menagerie. Also the deer are out looking for bread and being a nuisance, will have to ensure that my boar spear is also handy.

Hope everyone else is looking forward to dusting their boats off and actually plopping them in the water !!.

Ashley

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ashley

Like the power of the Lipo's!!!!

Are you running 2S or 3S in Project No.2????

A 2650mah 3S is about the same weight as Nimh stick pack.

Harry

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