Blog

Preparing the frames for the hull

The drawings came with the hull profiles to scale so I photocopied them enough times to when cut out gave a template for each one. I decided to build the hull upside down so I marked out the to allow for this and to allow the frames to be cut when the hull is complete. The frames were made from 4mm Birch Plywood. glued to the plywood and cut out using a scroll saw.The interiors of the frame were also cut out where there was sufficient material to allow a 10mm web. A 50x75mm batten was marked out from the drawing for the frame positions. frames had blocks glued to them to allow the fixing of them to the batten. The keel was also cut out from 4mm plywood and glued to the frames.

5 years ago by Hillro

Blog

Manufacturing of Paddles

I started with the paddles. Main reason was that I was not sure the final product would work. I ordered all the brass parts using eBay and google. were photo copied from the drawing (paddle frames) and stuck to 1/32 brass sheet. Centre punched all the points that needed to be drilled. Holes drilled used a jewellers saw to cut out the frames and finish off using files. I had not done anything like this before but patience was need to replace all the broken blades. I note that the saw came with 120 blades. I then made all the paddles, the spider gear, etc using soft soldering technique. The wheels were then assembled and tested. small adjustments had to be made with a file as some of the paddles were fouling each other. Disassembled them and painted them using car spray paint. I was quite pleased with the paddles so could start thinking about the tug hull. ,

5 years ago by Hillro