In the process of building a Directors class - Forceful paddle tug.
Brought the fibreglass hull.
Directors class - Forceful paddle tug plan drawing number 1292
Two magazines Marine modelling international jan 2017 & feb 2017 have been used as reference.
Paddle wheel drawing number 1293
All of the paddle wheel components have been machined by me from raw materials. Bearings and fixings are purchased as required.
So far I have Completed the feathering paddle wheels and drive. I have set up a test tank for a paddle wheel to ensure all is well before proceeding with the rest of the build.
I hope you find my efforts interesting
In the process of building a Directors class - Forceful paddle tug.
Brought the fibreglass hull.
Directors class - Forceful paddle tug plan drawing number 1292
Two magazines Marine modelling international jan 2017 & feb 2017 have been used as reference.
Paddle wheel drawing number 1293
All of the paddle wheel components have been machined by me from raw materials. Bearings and fixings are purchased as required.
So far I have Completed the feathering paddle wheels and drive. I have set up a test tank for a paddle wheel to ensure all is well before proceeding with the rest of the build.
A few pictures showing the parts / assembly in progress.
Please note the machined parts have been made from drawings. The only things purchased are raw materials and fixings.
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A few pictures showing the parts / assembly in progress.
Please note the machined parts have been made from drawings. The only things purchased are raw materials and fixings.
Machined parts for gearboxes assembled with standard timing pulley's / toothed belts.
Test fit into the hull prior to finishing.
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Forceful was a regular sight when I was a child in the late 70/early 80s. She was moored up on the river Cleddau, about a mile down river from my parents house, towards Pembroke Dock. At this time, she was to be used as a target, and was looking a little sorry for herself.
My late Father and his Brother had been on board her at least once for a look around.
Unfortunately I don't have any photos of her back then.
Paddle wheels assembled and riveted
Paddles will be painted next.
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Your paddle wheels look like something straight out of a steampunk film — incredibly realistic and beautifully made.
Your precision machining skills leave us all open-mouthed.
The gearbox is magnificent, almost like a Swiss watch mechanism in its detail and craftsmanship.
It’s clear you’re a machinist applying your talent and experience to this wonderful model ship hobby — and the results speak for themselves.
Congratulations on a superb piece of work.
Julian 😎
Paddles painted
Next to build a test tank to check feathering operation.
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Kevin55, the drives setup kind of look like what is in most rc 1/16 tanks except that they are geared instead of belts. I wonder if anyone tried using the RC tank drives in side wheel paddle boats.
Lew
Please excuse the video quality as I am not to good at this aspect.
Testing the paddle wheels before commencing with the final fit out of the two wheels and gearboxes.
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Last video showing the paddle wheels and reduction gearbox running slow.
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Both gearboxes and paddle wheels plus batteries and ESCs to check how it’s sitting…
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I may be mistaken, but from the picture you posted it seems the paddle wheels might be sitting a little on the high side, with perhaps not quite as much contact with the water as one would expect.
Maybe once the rest of the structure and the remaining components are added, the wheels will naturally sit a bit lower and the immersion will look just right.
Hi
Yes, the model is sitting high in the water which is ideal because of the items yet to be made and attached.
I am keeping an eye on the weight of components above the deck due to the hull being shallow.
Another battery and water pump have yet to be added for the fire monitor so this will help.
I have tried to contact others that have made this model with the fibreglass hull but to no avail.
I have removed both of the paddle shafts from the gearboxes.
Then installed both of the gearboxes with a long setting shaft that passes through both l gearbox bearing assemblies.
This has aligned both gearboxes allowing them to be secured in the correct position. The long setting shaft can now be removed and the gearboxes removed and rebuilt.
The rest of the build can now proceed have reached this important stage.
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I have removed both of the paddle shafts from the gearboxes.
Then installed both of the gearboxes with a long setting shaft that passes through both l gearbox bearing assemblies.
This has aligned both gearboxes allowing them to be secured in the correct position. The long setting shaft can now be removed and the gearboxes removed and rebuilt.
The rest of the build can now proceed have reached this important stage.
Some jigs and fixtures have been made to make some of the parts.
Simple Press tools and form tools have also been made to ensure uniformity. My milling machine and lathe both have digital read outs which have help enormously with the accuracy..
Started work on the rudder today and made some good progress.
One half ready to bond into grp hull once I have the second half ready to test against it.
Plenty to do but I am trying to get into the habit of updating in small sections.
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Started work on the rudder today and made some good progress.
One half ready to bond into grp hull once I have the second half ready to test against it.
Plenty to do but I am trying to get into the habit of updating in small sections.
Second part of the rudder in its final stages before making the rudder stock and bearing sleeve.
The bearing sleeve is to have a shaft seal to stop the water from entering.
Bearing stub arbours added today
More soon..
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Bearing sleeve with two ball races and a shaft seal. Installed and bonded into place with resin.
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Rudder stock made and fitted to rudder and installed to check alignment.
All ok…
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Anchor home fabricated and hawse pipe position set out with acrylic template.
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Rudder servo bracket and link arm completed and installed will remove and start the next stage of the build.
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Not sure what’s the norm as a water intake so I just made something I thought looked ok. Stainless mesh to prevent to may bits blocking the copper tube ….
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Not sure what’s the norm as a water intake so I just made something I thought looked ok. Stainless mesh to prevent to may bits blocking the copper tube ….
First job was to make the steam box and formers.
Then onto the forming of the bow and stern bulwark sections. Straight sections made too.
All parts bonded on to the hull and trimmed
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First job was to make the steam box and formers.
Then onto the forming of the bow and stern bulwark sections. Straight sections made too.
All parts bonded on to the hull and trimmed
Additional temporary beams added for camber on access areas
Stringers installed and birch plywood deck underway
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Fore Deck and walkways ready for planking when adhesive has cured.
Pin holes drilled via a clear plastic template prior to installation.
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Walnut margin and king planks installed
Next fill pin hole with walnut dust and glue
Sand flush when dry
Installation of main deck and chalking next
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Started the main deck planking… work so far.
3mm x 2mm thick Lime wood planking with 0.5mm thick Black ABS caulking.
Updated to show work progress..
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Philuk👍