Todays Boating

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes thanks Colin. New bit in place and looks good.

Have identified a right hum dinger of a project quite by chance. You just wouldn't believe it, really odd (now there's a thing) and continuing a vein of model making already `in train` as it were, not that this is a clue far from it. Suffice it to say that a paddlewheel boat has ben on the list for a while now…

However it will be third after the current one and something similar-ish secondly.

Todays boating BIG lct and project H. Plus a lander of course.

Ashley

[NoelParticipant @noel26080]

I took the landing craft for its first outing with the 385 motor and lead ballast.

Very good indeed. Now to get a lighter land rover or tank to sit in it. The die-cast white one makes very top heavy and I don't want to risk a rollover mid-pond.

My boys jostled each other for piloting the "classic" Academy speedboat which they did very well actually without hitting anything. Think they are slowly getting the hang of this.

Thanks for letting them have a go with the big LCT – they were very impressed. Its quite satisfying to drive it isn't it, its got a nice inertia about it.

My Wavemaster cruiser fared well on water but the long strip of ply that makes up the keel plank has drawn up water and blown apart again, this time nearer the bow.

I wasn't sure how to address this as PVA is too thick to penetrate without dismantling, so I fed loads of that Captain Tolleys crack cure into it and clamped it. Hopefully this will bond it back together and leave it vaguely waterproof. I fed so much in from the inside that it started seeping out the bottom.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

There are two thing s here. Making good the damage, and making sure it does not get wet again!! Superglue works quite well as a penetrative adhesive, or you could also lever up the bits and shove PVA in there. I would imaging the captain gunge will do ok. Make sure you varnish/seal this well when dry, and also look and see if water isn't getting underneath….

Yes, much better on the lander front. Had a quick surf and cant see any light cars or tanks. They are the sort of thing you find in cheap shops or at the seaside but it is a bit pot luck. You might be lucky as it is coming up to Christmas and the pound shop might have something suitable, or any of the other cheapo ones??

Work on project going well. More bits stuck on and a way forward finally seen for other items. Access appears to mean removable bits of deck (there are several convenient features to allow unobtrusive deck joints) and having this feature with the masts and so on might be difficult. I am envisaging a socket in the bottom of the boat and a thick strut going from side-side with a hole in it for the mast. This would be the actual mast support, the deck would obviously have a hole in it for the mast but will not be load bearing. Hopefully, as the access will only be for the rudder and so on, I should not have to ever remove the deck portions once all the bits are in place and it could be screwed down lightly with screws being hidden by any of the millions of boxes/hatches/rope/blah blah that clutters up the deck.

The guns are not as large a feature on the deck that I would have hoped for. Some nice big guns would look good, but they will be titchy. The crew seems to have been sorted out: I will use the remainder of my cheap plastic pirates. They are just about the right size, and once their cutlasses have been removed and their headgear cut off and replaced with sennet hats, with a bit of a paint job will look ok. yes really.

Ashley

[NoelParticipant @noel26080]

Thanks. Bit gutted its done this as the keel did de-laminate really badly the other month but was able to split it and fill with PVA. Not so easy this time as it is right at the bow. Boat was very dry up to now. Sob sob.

Thinking of eezy-kote ing the bottom – good choice?

Noel.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes, that is easy and will be effective if there are any hairline cracks. Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I was asked to solder up a rudder a few days ago and was given some 3mm rod and brass sheet to do the job. However the sheet was 1,, thick, a bit too thick for the cut made by my bandsaw, and really just ba bit too thick for comfort for the rod, so I rummaged in the metal box and found a sheet of brass. This was tooo thin, for the size needed, and measured at 0.41mm.

I had to pop to the shop and get another sheet of 0.65mm which was just the job. I suddenly though its possibly the first time I have actually measured a bit of brass sheet to find out what thickness I have been using all the time! It strikes me that I wander to the shop, feel a few bits of sheet and say "that`ll do" and that's that!

Will have to remember next time what to look for.

I have now three potential projects stacked up behind the current one. Amazing how they come along. One is certainly something which I wouldn't usually have bothered with normally, but a recent event has pointed me in this direction and once I looked at the thing more closely realised just how easy it would be. I know it is something not uncommon as a model and you can even get a r/c kit for it. It strikes me that there should be many more out there as something easy but different. BUT there again, a lander is so so easy to make and how many of them do you see?? Paul T very kindly has even drafted a nice plan of one (as used for our D-Day event and readily available) so you don't even have to put pencil to paper.

I need a pale-grey spray paint and wandered into Halfords and do you know what?? All the greys (50 of them) are metallic!! I should have thought really, when was the last time I saw a grey car?? never mind. I will have to car=watch and notice one which is grey enough and not too metallic and see if that is available. I can of course get the sprayer out but its such a hassle.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Would grey primer plus lacquer do the job Ashley or would it be a bit too dark. A lacquer coat should lighten the effect. You could also put grey primer over white primer then lacquer.

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Colin. Grey primer just a bit too dark. A sort of current RN grey would be the colour to have. I have a note of the colour I last used on the carrier somewhere (I usually keep the caps) so I should be able to get what I want with a bit of surfing.?? This would be for the second project.

Having second thoughts on the covers for the Victorian warship gunports. Assumed they folded down, like flaps but they would be very heavy and there is nowt at the top to put lifting ropes.. possibly they were side hinged doors?? Plan a bit vague here but some lines are shown. Photo also vague but the (apparent) gap in the bulkhead is in the wrong place for a gun port.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Have floated the project in the bath just to get a feel for the likely amount of ballast needed (about 7 kg worth) and to see if it leaks which of course it does…a pinhole either end, not much to shout about. Ballast distribution seems an easy split for/aft with a portion in the middle. The battery is so light in comparison I will decide much later where to put it. Had a quick surf, in mid-post and 1.6mm lead shot is currently about £5 a kilo. I have lead sheet but I like the shot idea, as , mixed with resin, it will not only be as low down as possible and fill in the nooks and crannies, but will actually strengthen the hull and provide a measure of its own support.

Started the NEXT project now, to run alongside the main one, as the first is going to take a long time.

It is a battleship, about half the size of the first one, and I have the necessary materials and mechanisms for construction to hand, ordered from the same supplier as the first project.This will be project S, the first one I have renamed project V as it is actually more appropriate.

This is what the light grey will be for. This project will be very straightforward indeed (for me, obviously it is an advanced cutting edge product that some would find daunting), with no masts or rigging to worry about and will have good interior access, learning by my recent experience and using cling film (don't tell the wife) to assist this. It is based on something or other, and there are pictures aplenty on the interweb to use as a guide. Have not found any line drawings or plans yet but this does not matter too much in this instance. As I say, cutting edge.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Charging batteries!! Likely to be a bit cold tomorrow so will prep boats so all I have to do is turn them on. Likely Terrapin, something or other and the usual lander.

Trevor… the Italian job???

Ashley

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

That is the plan – new 3S charging.

Hopefully will not need the rescue boat.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Good stuff!!

Will bring the rescue boat (not that it will be needed)..

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

bit nippy today. Small LCT and the Terrapin, both working well.

Alas, Trevor's airboat which has a snazzy contra-rotating motor on it so it has no torque issues has become a NON contra-rotating unit as one of the motor halves has failed. More specifically the wires to it have melted, despite using only a 3s battery and fitting the props as supplied. We did think the wires were very thin, but it has been out a few times no issues, and now this. Disappointing all round really. A good product ruined by saving 0.01 yen (or whatever) on slightly thicker wires. Not much chance of a repair due to the ends being very close to the remaining wire and the casing.

I took pictures of it at speed before this happened fortunately. The new mods have been partially effective in keeping the stern up, but we think we can see the way forward, it just needs a new hull of revised design, using a new "normal" motor. Easy then! It is of course the look he was after with this craft, and I think the look can be retained whilst tweaking the underwater profile (which is what is needed). Its all good stuff this experimental work.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ah, should have bought the latest fibre glassed boat indoors last night (the epoxy resin is virtually odourless) to fully dry as today it was still tacky, and the epoxy had set hard and completely tacky-less previously. Hopefully a day in the warm will harden it off.

Made a propulsion component for the second project and tested it on a jury rig, seems to be ok, no leaks that I could see and all square/parallel as required. may be able to float test proj S to get a feel for the amount of ballast required….never know.

Plywood purchased for decking on both.

Ashley

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Ashley

Still fascinated by your deliberations, but how about some photos ? It's a bit like listening to the wireless & painting by numbers in the dark

Regards Ray

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ray has been enlightened with blurb and snaps by email.

As you all know, the projects at secret to the extent that I do not want the build to be "in the open" as such, for previously stated reasons, but they are not so secret that anyone who wants to know, can, just pm or e-mail me and I will spill the beans.

Both current projects are fairly conventional, no secret, and will have fibreglass hulls.

Actually not much to see anyway yet, just a lot of foam and fibreglass!! It is starting o get a bit nippy outside for some of this. Wet n dry sanding in this weather makes the digits numb, and the glue/resin refuses to set unless cosy in the front room. Oddly enough the fish tank appears to have gained a new ornament, temporarily of course..

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Batts charging! Today it appears to be not as cold as I thought it might be (we never get as much WEATHER as they do north of Watford) and I shall be braving the elements ONCE AGAIN to showcase a couple of tired old specimens namely a Victorian battleship and an LCT. The lct will have different vehicles in it for variety and the Devastation will look the same as before.

I will also have the hull of the second project down for perusal and comparison. It is amazing what a scrape of filler can do.

I have recently purchased some "l`armee du roi Harold 1066" or something from a nice man in Russia. These are `flats`, in silver plastic about 50mm high and are direct lifts off the Bayeux tapestry of soldiers (both Norman and Saxon actually). Exquisite, very nicely done and just amazing to see figures in the flesh as it were from this iconic work. I will be painting them in Tapestry style using the colour palette of the wprk….all those orangy browns and so on. Should look fantastic on my shelf with a decent tapestry background.

I have loads of normal 54mm plastic Norman soldiers and one thing I was thinking of is making a longboat in the tapestry style, possibly to be vac formed, as a prop for them. Not a sailing vessel of course, just something to put on the beach as it were. Could be fun

Ashley

 

 

 

Edited By ashley needham on 03/12/2017 08:13:39

Edited By ashley needham on 03/12/2017 08:16:32

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Posted by Chris Fellows on 11/11/2017 21:48:43:

​Posted by ashley needham on 11/11/2017 10:00:51:

I now have a fibreglass hull, and I need to make several openings in it, and will certainly order a set of PG files. I baulked at the cost yesterday as they are quite expensive, but a tool that lasts forever is not expensive really is it??

I shall not be putting bulkheads in my hull.
I say this as newbie timford2 says should he put bulkheads in his new Severn hull to stiffen it up…and previously DM has commented on reading instructions and bad advice. He is as usual correct, and as I know nowt about Severn hulls would not like to comment and refrained from doing so. Suffice it to say of the 6 fibreglass hulled boats I have, only two gave bulkheads (yes I really have that many ready made hulls, sadly) BUT there are crossbeams and third height motor mounts and so on inside

My hull is very thin, about 1.5mm and of a good size but is stiff as a rake. I know once the decks are on and a couple of deep deck supports and motor mounts etc. are in, that will do nicely.

No boating tomorrow as playing for a remembrance day service (in a roundabout in Reigate).

Ashley

I picked up one of the large sanding blocks as per Ray's photos yesterday at the show and baulked at the cost of the files also! Wished I'd known about the sanding blocks years ago as I've spent a fortune on sand paper for jobs around the house and garden over the years which would have paid for Permagrit tools over and over again.

I baulked partly because I'd already spent quite a bit on materials and other bits and pieces and still had some things to get.

Not really essential for me at the moment and I have been guilty on many occasions of buying "expensive" tools for DIY and the garage. Some I've never used!

Chris

I also bought one of the contoured blocks a couple of weeks ago but when cutting out some bulkheads today with some internal cut-outs realised that a set of files is in fact "essential"!! So have just ordered a set.

When coming into this hobby about 18 months ago I thought it was going to be relatively inexpensive but daren't add up how much I've spent so far!

Edited By Chris Fellows on 11/11/2017 21:52:36

Edited By Chris Fellows on 11/11/2017 21:53:26

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

Chris

You won't regret buying the files. Mine have had a lot of use and a quick rub with a wire suede brush gets them clean again. I bought the wider flat files as well, they have been useful around the house as well.

I am trying to justify to myself buying some rotary tools for my mini drills -one day!

Tim

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Both my mini drills die, so I bought a cheap Hilda one(part 1041261) from Banggood with flex lead as well.

It also had a number of fittings and bits.

I tested it out today on a number jobs, is powerful and works great.

The extra bits I purchase were the 6 circular saw blades(part 1045281) and 10 router bits(part 959423).

These worked better than I thought they would, so a happy chappie!!!

Just ordered a 100 piece drum sanding kit in a case (part 1064130) and a right angle drive unit (part 10307820).

All my old bits from the dead mini drill fit the new one.

The only thing is it did not have a nice case with it, so a clear plastic food container (350 x 230mm) was supply by the good wife(yes I will get her a nice new one tomorrow)!!!!!

Harry Smith

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Posted by Tim Cooper on 04/12/2017 09:23:21:

Chris

You won't regret buying the files. Mine have had a lot of use and a quick rub with a wire suede brush gets them clean again. I bought the wider flat files as well, they have been useful around the house as well.

I am trying to justify to myself buying some rotary tools for my mini drills -one day!

Tim

I doubt I will Tim. Yes, the rotary tools were calling me as well but I managed to resist!

I need to leave it for a little time as my wife has uttered "Another package has arrived for you today" quite a lot recently in that what have you bought now tone!

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I bought the small pair of rotary cutters and they work just as well as the files and blocks, Not a thin precision line of course but quite material removal and can be used as grinders. Fits the Dremmely thing fine.

Popped into Kingston yesterday and visited Halfords as was passing…found a lone tin of Ford something or other pale grey (non metallic) which I am sure is what I used on the illustrious and the other modern RN boats, so the grey situation has been sorted! Not sure how I missed it before, but the one tin is enough, not that I am ready to paint and the weather is too cold/damp anyway.

Coated the inside of hull no2 with resin and even with it in the loft to harden, 24 hrs later it was still slightly tacky (not as much as the polyester stuff though), but leaving it in the living room has hardened it off nicely. The hull is incredibly stiff for what it is, and that is even without the main deck.

Need to draw up plans for the upperworks now, and I need to source some brass cogs for project V.

Ashley

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ashley

So you are up to Project V !!!

So you will be changing to numbers next !!!

I received my EDF unit for my silly project which is an old school ducted fan boat with a brush 480 motor.

I am up it to a smaller EDF unit from Banggood which has 680 grams thrust !!!

I received the unit today and tested it out on a 3S Lipo battery, I was surprise at the power of the little motor.

Also received by Hilda mini drill from Banggood with flex extension and 91 bits !!!!

Super powerful and the bits fit the dremel mini drills, at a third the price !!

Harry Smith

[NoelParticipant @noel26080]

Nice to hear Ashley is making progress, and that also as above I am not the only person messing about with EDFs.  I have not been boating on a Sunday for a few weeks. Other stuff came first. sorry.

Did manage to get down on Saturday 25th for a quick trial with the EDF jet strapped on my Academy cruiser:

The jet, its battery, ESC and receiver were all added standalone and controlled from a second Tx.
Therefore all-up weight was high at 1.5kg.
Overall performance was moderate, it planed under jet alone but not spectacularly fast.
Bystanders were more impressed than I was frankly.

Anyway, not be put off, I've moved the EDF assembly to it's intended hull (to which I have added a rudder assembly) and this looks much better. Weight is 859g, so this should be a bit more lively, especially as the hull is narrower and therefore there's much less wetted area and friction.

 

Not sure when it will get an outing, but if it works well I will build a cockpit and make it look good.
If it doesn't work well, hmm, well I will just have to get a bigger EDF!!

Edited By Noel on 06/12/2017 12:20:11

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Noel. Nice one, look forward to that.

I am sure its the hull wetted area that makes the difference. This is where catamarans score, as the wetted area dramatically decreases when it lifts and then the high speed of the air out the jet can get to work.

For small boats, like you have just converted (albeit temporary) a normal air prop would be more efficient, but not so much fun and certainly the unit looks the part. Peters 6 zillion watt EDF makes a fantastic noise at full chat..

We have had several goes at this down at Bushy and it is more tricky than at first supposed.

Just POSSIBLY something MIGHT be "outing" in a few months, and all that talk of wetted areas and thrust MIGHT be relevant. I say no more….

Ashley

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