|||
Not Registered
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
Cancel
Anytime
£2.50
£4.50
£6.50
Subscribe
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
For A Whole Year!
£25
£45
£65
Donate
You Will Be Helping Towards:

  • Domain Fees
  • Security Certificates
  • iOS & Android App Fees
  • Website Hosting
  • Fast Servers
  • Data Backups
  • Upkeep & Maintenance
  • Administration Costs

    Without your support the website wouldn't be what it is today.

    Please consider donating towards these fees to help keep us afloat.

    Read more

    All donations are securely managed through PayPal.

    Many thanks for your kind support
  • Join Us On Social Media!
    Download The App!

    Login To
    Remove Ads
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    Model Boats Website
    Model Boats Website
    Home
    Forum
    Build Blogs
    Media Gallery
    Boat Clubs & Lakes
    Events
    Boat Harbour
    How-To Articles
    Plans & Docs
    Useful Links
    Micro Tug
    7 Posts · 8 Followers · 38 Photos · 61 Likes
    Began 4 years ago by
    Vice Admiral
    United Kingdom
    Follow This Thread
    Not currently following
    > Click to follow
    Latest Post 4 years ago by
    Vice Admiral
    United Kingdom
    Oldest posts shown first   (Show Newest First) (Print Booklet)
    📝 Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 16 Views · 6 Likes · 15 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    Last week, after enduring a week of lockdown, I began to wonder when I would be able to get back to the boating lake. It is obviously going to be some time, so what is the alternative?

    The only water I have in the garden is the plaster mixing bath 'test tank', so could I build a boat to sail in that?

    Last night, here on the site discussion turned to similar thoughts:


    forum/69162#69493
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Me too.

    Martin555.
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Nice job on the drawings Ron. Looking forward to seeing the Tug.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    A Modified Mini-Pusher Tug. Yours is 6" I made this one 8" with some other changes.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Using the same pictures you posted, lay a tape measure down beside the deck parts.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    As you say "It is a difficult topic"
    Thank you i see what you are saying.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Martin,

    It is a difficult topic. I bought a copy of the mag containing the free plan and so I am free to use if for my own use in any way that I wish, provided I do not make any commercial gain from that use. However, publishing the plan on this website, or anywhere else, whilst not providing me with any commercial gain, does potentially deprive the original publisher of income, and that is the issue here.

    At least that is my understanding of the rules.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Just a thought Graham,
    How do you stand copyright wise now that you have reduced the original plans to the scale that you wanted.
    Have you not already broken some copyright rules ?
    Is it still covered by the copyright.?

    As you can tell i know nothing about the subject of copyright.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Ron,

    The plan is the copyright of ModelBoats magazine so it would not be right for me to publish it without their permission. I have emailed them to ask if they will permit limited publication.

    Sorry, but I believe copyright is important.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Graham,

    There are no measurements on your plan, would you be kind enough to send me a private mail of the plan. I can redraw it on AutoCadLt adding measurements.

    Ron
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Martin,

    Not sure it will have enough power to tow a barge. We shall see, good idea though👍
    Graham93
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    I really like the idea of the Micro Tug.
    Will you be making some Micro Barges ?
    You could be starting a new trend, and one that i would like to have a go at.

    Martin555.
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Martin,

    "Can you give us some dimensions please."

    It is just over 6 inches long, 2 5/8" wide and 4 1/2" high (155 x 67 x 115).

    As for plans, I don't think I can publish these as the original plan is from the recent Model Boat Winter Special 2019 and I'm sure covered by copyright. All I did was reduce them to 50% size.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    "that balsa looks well matured Graham"

    It must have been behind the bookcase for at least 30 years 😀 My sons left home around 20 years ago..
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Hi Graham,
    Can you give us some dimensions please.
    I will defiantly be following this as it could be just right for me to use in Big Blue.

    Maybe you could have a set of drawings that we could print out. I know it is a bit of a cheek asking.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Micro Tug
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Cool idea! micro R/C, - that balsa looks well matured Graham. Haven't seen Solarbo for years!, not here anyway.
    JB
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    📝 Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 16 Views · 5 Likes · 11 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    The rudder is made from 0.5mm brass sheet. A 10mm strip was cut and then formed into a ring approximately 19mm diameter. The ends were silver soldered together and then the ring was formed into a round kort nozzle using a mandrel. The rudder blade and brass rudder post were then added.

    The prop was also cut from 0.5mm brass using a template copied from the other free plan in the same issue of Model Boats. It is 15mm dia. Because of the arrangement of the prop inside the kort nozzle, the prop has to be threaded onto the end of the prop shaft. It would have been much easier to simply solder the prop onto the end of the shaft, but then it would have been impossible to assemble the completed rudder and prop into the hull. A small brass boss was turned with a 2mm threaded hole and the prop was soldered to it before the blades were gently twisted to give the prop some shape.

    The propshaft is 2.3mm brass rod, threaded 2mm to fit to the prop. The other end was filed to a square profile and coupled to the motor with a short length of ballpoint pen inner. The motor is from the salvage box. Not sure of it's origin, but probably salvaged from a defunct printer. The propshaft runs in a brass tube with no bearings (too small!) An oiler tube will allow the tube to be filled with oil and hopefully prevent water ingress as both ends of the propshaft are below water level.

    The smallest servo I had available is a basic 9g model. This is too big to fit upright in the hull so it is mounted horizontally on a plywood carrier. The carrier is held in place in the hull with magnets as it sits over the motor and needs to be removable to gain access to the motor. The photo shows the arrangement, before the hull deck is glued in place.

    Graham93

    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    "if anybody wants a scanned set of plans for the push tug i have a file i can send to you "
    That sounds familiar Jacko😉 From around 5 months ago😁 Thanks👍
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi JB,
    "how about a mini solenoid from a remote sw to make contact for motor on/off rather than a bulky ESC "
    I have several mini solenoids as well as RC switches, and together they are far bulkier than the titchy 'thumbnail' ESCs you can get nowadays. Or even the guts of a old servo.
    More than enough for midget boats😊
    Alone the weight of the solenoid 🤔 bang goes your payload capacity☹️
    Cheers, Doug😎
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Is the barge about 6" wide? 18" length? 3" Depth?
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 jacko ( Lieutenant Commander)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    i scanned the drawing on an a4 so it comes in 8 sheets printable on an a4 printer so its the original size
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Jacko,

    Looks great! Is it built to the original plan size, or scaled down?
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 jacko ( Lieutenant Commander)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    if anybody wants a scanned set of plans for the push tug i have a file i can send to you
    print on a4 tape together and you have a full set
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 jacko ( Lieutenant Commander)
    ✧ 14 Views · 5 Likes
    Flag
    this is the 1 i made no photo of the finished as yet with barge soon ?
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Martin,

    Yes, the ESC for the tug is the electronics from a servo I built as a self assembly kit in the 1970s.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Complete with 'Go Faster Stripes' Martin😂🤣
    Reckon your PC's playing tricks on you again😁
    😎
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Going great guns there Graham. Was just thinking, how about a mini solenoid from a remote sw to make contact for motor on/off rather than a bulky ESC or are you going to come up with some electronic wizardry? A 2ch system would be useful for these small boats I guess, due to the smaller RX size. I still have my AM 2ch boat TX but not sure about a RX, think the last Acoms one was dud. Some of these cheap R/C toys have tiny simple RXs and servos, and solenoids for steering, maybe you can steal one from a local kid😂

    This vid might be of interest to people
    💬 Re: Rudder, Prop, Propshaft and Motor
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Great work Graham.
    I bet you are really enjoying this project.
    Are you going to use a striped down servo for a speed controller ?

    Martin555.
    📝 Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 18 Views · 8 Likes · 10 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    For the handrails I didn't have any stanchions available so I ended up making them out of plastic rod and tube. It would have been much easier to use commercial stanchions🤔.

    The bollards are made from dowel and cocktail sticks. The horn on the wheelhouse roof was carved from dowel, and the aerial carved from a cocktail stick. The windows in the wheelhouse are cut out and will be glazed.

    To add some extra interest I decided to add a working horn. I found a small waterproof speaker in my salvage box, no idea where it came from (It pays not to throw anything away!) This is installed below the deck. The hole in the deck is covered with a piece of plasticard mounted on spacers to let the sound out. The speaker will be driven with a square wave oscillator controlled from a receiver channel.

    Graham93

    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 mturpin013 ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    You never cease to amaze Graham, very nice work.
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Commodore-H ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 16 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    that's interesting my pictures showed up on someone else's post!

    (On no😮 NOT AGAIN😠 This is getting to be a fulltime occupation!!
    and why do they mostly pop up on my posts?
    I suspect some cheeky Midshipman is playing tricks on his old Admiral🙄. Doug😎)
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Commodore-H ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 19 Views · 5 Likes
    Flag
    So, it seems I am not the only one building a push tug in honor of the coronavirus.

    This was a Tugster kit from Zippkits that was a raffle prize and at the Empire State Model Mariners meet some years ago. The kit sells for $29. It is pretty good, wood is O.K. and laser cut parts fit together easily.

    I am not a kit guy, so much, but I had nothing else going at the time so I thought I'd look at it. I am under house arrest because of the virus.

    It is meant to be a simple retriever for other boats so I looked at some pictures and started modifying it. I am making it up as I go along.

    Here's how it looks so far. It will have funnels, maybe a big winch, maybe a kort nozzle. It is 18 inches long, I decided the scale was 1/24 that makes it 36 feet. I will see how it develops.

    Any suggetions?
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    "I’m playing catch-up. "
    Well you got that dead wrong Graham!
    It's us having to play catchup🤔
    (Not ketchup at least - that could get messy😁)

    Allora, waasa da problema majore Amico?
    😎
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 jacko ( Lieutenant Commander)
    ✧ 16 Views · 8 Likes
    Flag
    mine painted with more detail to go plus something to play with and another barge in the making
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Looking really great so far Graham, Hard to tell it's not 'normal' size.
    JB
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 14 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    Doug,

    “That's why I can hardly move in my workshop!”

    I know that problem only too well 😁. My biggest issue nowadays is remembering and finding what I have stashed away.
    “ I know I’ve got one somewhere.....🤣”

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Martin,

    I’m playing catch-up. I started this build over a week ago. My crystal ball told me the discussion here would turn to miniature boats to sail in the bath 🤣😂

    I haven’t finished the build yet. Run into a major problem that I’m trying to solve at the moment. More of that later.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Nice one Graham👍
    BTW "It pays not to throw anything away!"
    German ship modellers have a motto which translated means
    'Never throw anything away that won't start to stink after a while!'
    That's why I can hardly move in my workshop!🤔
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    💬 Re: Deck fittings and Horn
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Well Graham you are certainly not hanging about.
    Looks fantastic.

    Martin555.
    📝 Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 22 Views · 12 Likes · 13 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    To strengthen and waterproof the hull it was painted inside with epoxy resin, before the deck was glued on. The outside of the hull was sealed with fibreglass and epoxy resin. With hindsight, using fibreglass cloth was a mistake. Difficult to apply and finish in such a small size. I should have used epoxy resin without the glasscloth. The end result is a rough finish which looks a mess. Not to worry though, this is just a bit of fun to relieve the boredom.

    The hull was then painted with red primer and black gloss rattle cans left over from the Crash Tender refit. The wheelhouse was painted inside and out using Humbrol enamel and then the windows were fitted

    The wheelhouse is fitted with a spotlight on the roof, and an internal cabin light. Enamel copper wire was used for the connections down to the foot of the wheelhouse where a small piece of circuit board, hidden behind the engine control panel is used to attach standard wiring. The ships wheel was carved from 2mm plasticard and painted to resemble mahogany. The lifebelt was also carved from 2mm plasticard with thin cord added and painted for detail.

    The exhaust is made from black painted dowel wrapped with some fine stainless mesh I happened to have lying around.

    Quite by chance, a lego figure is the right size to act as skipper 😁. He even has a large mug of tea to keep him going🤣

    Graham93

    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Thanks Doug, that's really helpful. I have a few other issues to solve first, as you'll see with the latest addition to my blog.

    Graham93
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Graham,
    Attached is a pic of my basic 'oils' kit for various colour rust streaks and black for the wash for dirt and to bring out small detailing more.
    The pointy brushes for the tiny detailing, useful for my 1/72 crew!
    Nos 2 and 8 for dry brushing, nos 8 and 10 for the 'wash'.

    Re acrylic weathering paints; I posted some links to LifeColor Weathering paint kits in Ed's Smit Nederland blog - under 'Re: Capstans'.
    Also includes some 'How To' links
    NB Practise on some scrap material first!!😉


    blogs/60253#69109
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Thanks all for the comments and feedback, especially on weathering. I will have a go at that, but will have to get some suitable paints and maybe a stiff brush or two. Time to have a look on-line. Royal Mail is still delivering although understandably the service is a bit erratic.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    " Washing becomes part of the weathering techniques as well"
    Absolutamente Joe👍
    You can also use artist's oil paints outta da toob.😁
    Dry brush (stiffish brush) and 'wash' with turpentine or white spirit.
    Seal/ fix with varnish to taste😋
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    PS Love the locs👍
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Super job Graham, nice details, Chapeau 👍
    "using fibreglass cloth was a mistake."
    On such a titchy hull I think I would have used FG tissue not cloth.
    Or even just two or three coats of EzeKote.
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Joe727 ( Commander)
    ✧ 15 Views · 4 Likes
    Flag
    Good comments using waterbased paints on weathering. I scratch built hese two little 'O' scale locomotives out of metal, styrene and wood. Painted with acrylic paints and weathered with pastels. Both can be washed off within certain cure limits, about 12 hours. Washing becomes part of the weathering techniques as well. Once I like it, I put a light coat of matte or satin water based varnish over it.

    Good luck with weathering and don't be afraid to experiment as Martin says it can be washed and redone.
    Joe 👍
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇭🇺 MouldBuilder ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Nice job Graham. Love the lifebelt. It looks real.
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    That's a nifty little tug Graham, even lights! nice job.
    JB
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 figtree7nts ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Hi Graham,

    I fancy myself being a model tugboat collector!
    And your little tug would a great little addition.
    To anyone's collection!

    Job Well done👍

    Cheers, Ed
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇿🇦 redpmg ( Commodore)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Looks like fun Graham - particularity impressed with the way you made the Kort nozzle earlier - and all the other fittings . Tugs tend to have a rough finish anyway because of the life they lead - crew just give a quick touch up to hide the latest ding- so don't think you have too worry . The crew member wont notice anyway.......
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Excellent,
    May i suggest that if you do experiment then use water based paint and the dry brush method. Then if you don't like what you have done you can simply wash it off again.

    Martin555.
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Martin,

    Weathering had crossed my mind. I have never done any, but I have seen some fantastic examples here on the site, including from you. As this little tug is just for fun, it would be a good opportunity to have a go because it wouldn't matter if I made a bit of a mess of it.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Painting and Wheelhouse
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Graham,
    I really like it.
    You mentioned about the Finnish of this super little Tug if you were to do some weathering maybe it will hide some of it.

    You are doing a great job.
    Keep it up.

    Martin555.
    📝 Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 18 Views · 9 Likes · 17 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    It was all going so well!

    Two RC switches were built to control the lights and the horn. Then came the time to install everything into the hull. It is very tight getting everything in through the deck hatch.

    First the motor and ESC followed by the battery, both fitted in the sump. The battery is the one item I didn't have available 'off the shelf'. I have ordered a NiMh 4 cell 2/3 AAA battery, but it has not arrived yet. As an interim solution, I fitted four AAA alkaline cells in a holder. It just fits, but is a bit heavy.

    Next the servo is manovered into place above the motor and the push rod attached.

    Finally the two RC switches and the receiver are squeezed into the remaining space above the battery and the horn and lights are plugged in.

    Disaster!! The top deck and wheelhouse don't fit.☹️ The spreaker on the underside of the top deck fouls the connectors plugged into the receiver. Several attempts to reposition the receiver in the hull are to no avail. No matter how I try to reposition the components, it cannot be assembled to leave enough room to fit the top deck on.

    The new battery, when it eventually arrives will be a bit smaller (and lighter) but I don't think it is going to solve the problem. I could remove the horn as it would then fit, but I don't really want to give up on that. Time for a rethink......

    Graham93

    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Ron,

    Looking good.

    I’m confident it will work - eventually 😉. However, it isn’t ever going to be my first choice of boat to sail. I built it to have a challenge to distract from lockdown, and to have something to sail in my test tank as that is the only stretch of water I’m going to have access to while lockdown is in place 😆.

    I hope to have a progress update on the blog tomorrow.

    Graham93
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Graham,

    This design really looks awkward. Are you sure after all this, that it is going to work?
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    Wow! Now they're reproducing themselves!😮
    😎
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    Hi Ron,

    If I found the right Traxxas battery on Google, at 3.7 x 1.3 x .67 (94 x 34 x 17) it is too big to fit. The 7.2v is also a problem as the receiver and servos are rated at 6V max. More importantly it needs to fit in the sump which is only just over an inch wide.

    As you can see, the access hatch is tiny. My new battery has just arrived. It only has 400mAh capacity, but it easily fits. I'll get it all back together over the weekend then it will be bathtime!

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    In my J-502 Billings Kit, see photos, the access area is 2”x 4-1/2” to measure the depth was not available unless I unpacked it all. The battery is a Traxxas power cell. 7.2v NiMH 1200 which takes up less bulk than a 4AA pack.

    Would this set-up work well in a Micro Tug?
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Thanks Martin,

    That's another possible solution. I do like this website, throw out a problem and back come lots of helpful suggestions 😁

    I've put the build, and the blog, on hold for now while I wait for Royal Mail to deliver the new battery, (and a few other bits and pieces). In any case, need to get back to the rowing boat.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Hi Graham,
    Just another thought,
    If you made a Barge and tied it along the side of the tug
    you could then put the battery in it and disguise the wires as the ropes tethering the two together.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Doug,

    I did use very fine enamelled copper wire for the LEDs down to the bottom of the wheelhouse. See my earlier post on the Wheelhouse with some ( not too clear) photos. At the bottom of the wheelhouse, I connected the enamelled wire to some thin flexible wires to bring the connections down into the hull.
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    "However, I would have to lay off the skipper"
    That would be a shame Graham🤔
    Put him outside berating his lazy crew😁

    BTW; that looks like twisted servo cable going up to your lighting. rather bulky.
    I use insulated wrapping wire for such very low current jobs.
    Not so bulky or obtrusive😉
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 15 Views · 4 Likes
    Flag
    Ron,

    "Put the receiver inside the wheelhouse, upside down. Cut a square hole in the bottom of the wheel house. Your coaming will hide the wires. "

    Good suggestion. It would fit that way. I'll keep it in mind as a possible solution. However, I would have to lay off the skipper 😂🤣

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Commodore-H ( Sub-Lieutenant)
    ✧ 18 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Coming along, nicely, a lot of stuff in a small boat. Would be fun if the horn was really loud
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    I was thinking something similar Ron, but not upside down.
    Good call👍
    Doug 😎
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Put the receiver inside the wheelhouse, upside down. Cut a square hole in the bottom of the wheel house. Your coaming will hide the wires.
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Martin,

    “Just a silly idea can you turn the receiver upside down and have the connectors facing down.”

    Not silly at all. 😀 I tried that but it didn’t solve the problem. Once I have the new battery, which is based on 2/3 AAA cells and hence shorter, there may just be enough space in the sump for the connectors on the inverted Rx to fit.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Doug

    “How about one of the little flat 4 or 6 channel pico RXs with the connectors at the end?“

    That would probably do it... but I don’t have one handy... what I do have is the tiny RX2a I’m using for the rowing boat, but that has a single PPM output. Hmm 🤔

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Just a silly idea can you turn the receiver upside down and have the connectors facing down.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Controls
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Oops!☹️
    How about one of the little flat 4 or 6 channel pico RXs with the connectors at the end?
    They don't have a hard case to get in the way! It'd be lighter too 👍
    Used one in the cramped 'Forward Radio Compartment' of my Type IA sub U25.
    RX battery slots in next to it - JUST!!😁
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    📝 Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 17 Views · 9 Likes · 6 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    While waiting for the smaller battery to arrive, I decided to replace the iA6 receiver with Rx2A receiver to save more space inside the hull. The horn sound generator was modified by adding more connections and some additional software to decode the PPM output from the Rx2A to provide separate channels for the ESC, rudder and light switch.

    With these changes, and the new battery, everything now fits in the hull 👍. It is a squeeze to get it all in, but it fits.

    The boat was completed with the addition of tyres along either side, courtesy of Lego.

    The video should have included the sound of the horn, but for some unexplained reason, the camera didn't record it. I'll have to investigate.

    Time for the maiden voyage 😀 Would it float or sink? With the hull so tightly packed, it is quite heavy for it's size. The good news is, it does float. The bad news is that it doesn't really move 🤔. The best description I can give is that it 'drifts' with just a tiny influence from the propeller. The wind has more impact than the prop! Everything was dismantled and the propeller pitch increased by twisting the blades. A second trial showed a slight improvement.

    More work to do.....

    Graham93

    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    More coal Graham, more coal😂
    JB
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 mturpin013 ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Very nice , it keeps the mind in tip top condition all these problems to be solved, it would be no fun at all if it went right first time. 😜
    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Martin,

    I enjoy ‘tinkering’ 😂😆 I’ll get it moving, but I doubt it will win any bathtub races😆

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Graham.
    I must admit i do like that little Tug.
    Sorry to hear it is not performing as you had hoped.
    Maybe with a little more tinkering you will get it to work properly.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Sorry Ron, I missed the servo and ESC out of that photo. You can see the ESC in the photo I posted last week. The ESC is the insides stripped out of an old servo.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: Revised Controls
    4 years ago by 🇨🇦 Ronald ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Where is your speed control?
    📝 We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 22 Views · 12 Likes · 14 Comments
    Flag
    💬 Add Comment
    The motor was recycled, probably out of an old printer. On a four cell NiMh battery it ran OK, if a bit slowly. With the lack of movement of the boat I decided to investigate further. There are no markings on the motor case, but testing it on an adjustable bench power supply it worked a lot better on 12v than it did on 5v without overheating, so its time for a replacement.

    I was trying to build this tug from items I had in stock during lockdown without having to buy anything, but I didn't have another motor available that would fit in the tug. I managed to buy a replacement with an identical case size, and with a working voltage of 3.5 - 6v. This runs a lot faster than the original motor on the four cell battery. With the motor running faster, another problem became apparent. The ballpen inner tube coupling was stiff, and not very straight so there was a significant loss of power with lots of vibration. A replacement one piece propshaft and coupling were turned on the mini lathe. Whilst this is a rigid drive, at least it is straight. The motor is loose mounted in the tug so it can move a little while running.

    It all seemed to work fine on the bench so back to the plasterer's bath to test it for real. Just a few seconds of successful operation with the tug moving reasonably on the water before everything stopped. Back to the bench to investigate. The new motor draws a lot more current, especially with the tug in the water and the prop under load. This had fried the ESC. The ESC was recycled electronics from old servo. Looking up some old datasheets, the drive chip (NE543) was rated around 450mA. The new motor draws 200mA unloaded but this increases to 700mA when stalled. Trying to keep to the 'build it without buying anything' challenge I had set myself I decided to build a replacement ESC rather than buy one. The replacement is built out of 'bits I had in the box'. The output transistors are rated at more than 10A which is totally overkill, but they are what I had available. It works OK and the tug is now controllable, although a little difficult to sail in the bath.

    So in the end, I wasn't quite successful with the 'build it without buying anything' challenge as I had to buy a battery and a motor, but I had great fun trying and it certainly helped keep me occupied during this seemingly never ending lockdown.

    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Doug,

    Save me having to cut the grass😁
    Graham93
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Go for it Graham👍
    Don't overpower it though.
    Otherwise it probably will 'escape' from the tub and go strimming round the garden!😮💥😭🤕
    😁😎
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    Graham,
    How about a mini Hovercraft !!

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    JB,

    A mini barge to go with the tug is a possibility. It would make it more of a challenge to have something to pull or push round in the tub.

    I have been following your airboat blog. Made me wonder about a mini airboat as the next project 🤔 Might be able to escape the tub and ‘float’ round the garden. 😂🤣

    Graham93
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇳🇿 jbkiwi ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Success ! Well done Graham, you need a bigger tub to release the full potential! What's next, - matching mini barge?😁
    JB
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Exactamente Graham👍
    BTW: Got curious last night and went hunting!
    Found three unused ZN409s and two Microprop servo kits😀
    Unfortunately the instructions for building the gearbox were missing🤔
    A chap could go bonkers trying to work that out!!
    The whole shebang must be a good 30 years old.
    Thinks!! Now what if I .....🙄
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Graham93 ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    Hi Red,

    As Doug says, it shouldn't be too difficult to work out which red and green wires need to go where based on the pinouts for the chip.

    If there are 4 wires in addition to the throttle input from the receiver, then it will be two for battery and two for the motor. The battery wires will connect to pins 10 and 11 on the chip. Pin 10 for battery positive and pin 11 for negative. The other two wires will be for the motor.

    Graham93
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇺🇸 Peejay ( Midshipman)
    ✧ 21 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Looks really sharp on the water! Reminds me of back in the 60’s, when Revell motorized some of their kits. I built a motorized Long Beach tug and Arizona. Sailed them in our bathtub. Still have them stashed away somewhere.

    Of course, your build is way better, because you have full control, she looks great, and you did it on your own!
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 2 Likes
    Flag
    I think you mean the ZN409 Red,
    Data sheet attached. Might still be some around.
    Might even have some in my 'vintage stash' 😊
    Typical ESC cct in the pic.
    Ref your 'Paddy-made' ESCS-
    Open one up and post some close up (sharp😉) photos of the insides, top and bottom.
    Either Graham or myself might be able to work out which wire is which.
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    PS Whadda u know! Found some😁 '94 vintage. A good year😋

    https://www.smartkit.de/aid-604-ZN409-DIP14-Servo-Motor-Treiber-Motorregler-ZN40
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇿🇦 redpmg ( Commodore)
    ✧ 13 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    Always admire modellers who understand electronics, a friend made me 3 esc's using the ubiquitous 409Z ? chip used in old servos . Presume things have changed since then as the chip was getting difficult to find many years ago . Paddy has since moved to Oz and now for the life of me I cant remember how to connect them as he used red and green wire for everything which was all he had on hand. Cant work out which lead set is for the battery and which set for the motor - don't want to cook them.............
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇭🇺 MouldBuilder ( Vice Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Very nice Graham. Runs very well.
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 mturpin013 ( Admiral)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Well done Graham, electronics is obviously your expertise, a skill which is more and more part of model making.
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 Martin555 ( Fleet Admiral)
    ✧ 11 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Hi Graham,

    That is great to see your micro tug in action.

    It did put a smile on my face watching it moving about in that little tub.

    Ref:-

    “I wasn't quite successful with the 'build it without buying anything' challenge”

    In my opinion I think you were successful.

    As i have discovered it is not easy making something so small fully rc controlled.

    Martin555.
    💬 Re: We are sailing.......!!
    4 years ago by 🇬🇧 philcaretaker ( Commodore)
    ✧ 12 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    Nice one Graham ! - hope you and yours all well - hope to see you soon .
    👍


    About This Website
    Terms of Service
    Privacy Policy