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    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    "... I dare say that with the necessary computer skills it probably would be easier,however it would be quite difficult for me to hold cardboard templates against a monitor screen. The whole ethos of what I do is somewhat Luddite in nature,to use basic tools,free materials and as little technology as possible...." I'm not sure where the cardboard template comes in? if you want to put it into a computer you use a scanner - if you want to take it out you use a printer. They are usually the same machine... I'm not dissimilar to a Luddite - the KK EeZeBilt sites are all about making things from raw materials and using household detritus to create fittings. But computers are just another tool - and can be as basic as you like. I still lament the passing of DOS, because I felt that you should understand how tools work before you use them, and Windows made it impossible to know where all the bits were going... One advantage of computing technology is communication. You are illustrating this at the moment. All I was thinking was that your skills, experience and work could reach a much wider group of people. There are, for instance, kids in Australia building EeZeBilts because the data to do so is on the web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHJbJieV0o
    5 years ago by DodgyGeezer
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    Ahoy Mateys, U50 under construction. its got twin contra rotating props. I made the chassis for the gearbox and motor from an old gas fire that some kind person dumped at the end of my street.I don't mind anything metal but I can do without the mattresses! Cheers.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    Well said sir, I wholeheartedly agree, I always try to use free stuff or at least recycle into my models. I only wish I had your talent so that I could do away with the technology I use, especially when it keeps failing because the world expects the latest updates which causes my old tech to fail. Still no excuse, I just don't have your superb skill set. Keep it up shipmate. Cheers Colin.
    5 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    I dare say that with the necessary computer skills it probably would be easier,however it would be quite difficult for me to hold cardboard templates against a monitor screen. The whole ethos of what I do is somewhat Luddite in nature,to use basic tools,free materials and as little technology as possible. As we spiral towards a total reliability on technology and computers I want to demonstrate what can be achieved with basic inexpensive stuff that most people throw away. Am I living in the past? dreaming of days when things were simpler? absolutely,I exhibited at Makers Fair in Newcastle in 2018, of over 300 other stalls there was only a hand full of us that actually made anything, everything else was technology based and made in China. Cheers.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    "..yes, drawings are much easier to work with as opposed to cad.." I can't see that. I haven't got the draftsmanship skill to create the drawings we see in the pictures - but I could easily reproduce them with a CAD package (though it would take a bit of time!). And the nice thing about the CAD drawing is that it is infinitely reproducible, and easy to publish on the Web, so that the information in the drawings I make are not lost when I disappear. Have you thought of publishing your plans on a web site? I'm sure that a lot of people would be interested, and there are so few resources for would-be tinsmiths available....
    5 years ago by DodgyGeezer
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    yes, drawings are much easier to work with as opposed to cad they are not formal engineering drawings in the traditional sense but more like a" Kiel Kraft plans" type shorthand showing all the bits on one page.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines U50
    I always enjoy your
    clockwork
    submarine projects, they are so different from the usual surface boats constructed from wood most often seen. Do you also prepare your own working drawings?
    5 years ago by ukengineman
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines.
    Martin, Your Subs are very nice, beautiful workmanship! Your skill at tin work is inspiring. Joe
    5 years ago by Joe727
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines.
    Ahoy Mateys,17 inch, U49 has a 3 plate hull made from an old Panettone tin,it has two ballast tanks and a powerful single spring
    clockwork
    motor. The diving planes are a through hull type and quite large because its bit of a lump to dynamic dive, to assist diving it has 350g of lead trim in the bilge.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines.
    Hi Colin, Thank you,very much appreciated. As for tinsmithery its not something iv'e ever been trained to do but for my sins I was an RN stoker many years ago. Cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren
    clockwork
    Submarines.
    Any chance of
    clockwork
    torpedoes as well, no seriously I think your modelling skills are some of the best I have ever seen. We're you ever a tinsmith, keep up the good work. Cheers Colin.
    5 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    U49 mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    The soldered edge along the keel is originally the outer edge of the elipse,after rolling out the dents whilst its still a bowl,I place it upside down on a flat surface and mark all the high spots and gradually trim down untill it sits perfectly flat. Then carefully cut the thing in half,this flat outer edge becomes the keel and the cut edge becomes the gunwale.The keel edge is simply bent using flat pliers to give two flat mating surfaces,after soldering any overlaps are filed away. it sounds complicated but its quite easy to do hope this gives you an idea.Cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    Ahoy Mateys, Just a little insight into constructing tin hulls from scratch.Having spent the outrageous sum of 50p for the tin from a charity shop carefully de-construct,flatten and mark out the template. Cut out the elipse then work on a sandbag untill its sufficiently hollowed.Roll and smooth out the planishing marks then cut the bowl right down the center.Reverse the two pieces then solder together. All done by hand and takes a couple of hours Cheers Neil. mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    How do you keep the edges straight to . Butt or lap joint mate and solder.
    5 years ago by onetenor
    Forum
    U49 mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    No mate,just an old brass caster off an old sofa. its fitted to a file handle, then you just roll the tin on a rubber mat on the bench it takes a bit of pressure initially but once you're away its easy after practice. No special tools involved and its disgustingly cheap to do! Cheers Neil
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    Do you use an English wheel to roll out the planishing marks. Cheers Marky
    5 years ago by marky
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Martin, This is beautiful work and I look forward to looking at your website. I have only minimal experience at metal work, but want to try more. Joe
    5 years ago by Joe727
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U48,this ones taken me ages due to a brief hiatus brought on by a touch of black death I caught. Anyway another bin salvaged effort made entirely from scrap tin and alarm clocks. No ballast tank in this one,the smaller boats don't need them and dynamic dive on planes alone,or just surface run. Cheers Neil www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Mactin, I had a look at your web site, very impressive work and with only minimal tools. regards Michael
    5 years ago by mturpin013
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    Thanks Neil, found it.πŸ˜‰ Interesting, but I was hoping to see what it does in the wet stuff; i.e. the Domestic Test & Trials Tank 😁 Here's a quicker link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGiaIwMdHe8 To copy the link just click on it in the address box so that the whole address is highlighted. Then press CTRL & C to copy it. Press CTRL & V to paste it into a Post or eMail or whatever. Cheers, Doug 😎 BTW; the vid after yours is interesting too 'How to make a submarine out of plastic bottles and Coca Cola'. And it dives!!😁 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq-8n4XufsQ
    5 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    Ahoy Mateys, Definitely not a submarine, been raiding my recycling bin again with this one. Its an idea I had to mimic a riveted hull the tin plates are dotted with a hand awl prior to soldering I think its sort of worked??? Cheers Neil mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    I'd genuinely love to do that but I havnt got a clue how to do it, Iv'e only just got to grips with a touch screen phone! seriously! but Ill have a bash. www.youtube U19 U33.com
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    Hi Neil, Good to hearπŸ‘ Can you post the link please? Saves a lot of searching!! 😁 Cheer, Doug 😎
    5 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    Hi Doug, There's a youtube vid under tinplate submarines I did a while ago its U19 and U33, its hardly Ridley Scott but you get the idea I'd like to do a better one but I need someone that knows a lot more about doing this sort of thing to give me a lift editing and the like. cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate
    clockwork
    Battleship
    Worked very well NeilπŸ‘πŸ‘ Technique noted for future use 😁 Any vids of your marvellous creations in action available??? Cheers, Doug 😎
    5 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    B-25. 11'' Bing 1918 Tin Submarine Restoration
    Ahoy Mateys, 1918 Bing tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine restoration. Only got the hull, no motor,superstructure or rudder so all that had to be made plus hole filling and dent removing its been an interesting project,much easier building my own from scratch! I'd say it was 70% original and that's good enough for me. Cheers. www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine
    Indeed, the whole history of tinplate toys mirrors the last 100 years, Bassett originally used the German stuff but after ww1 it all went anti jerry that's how Hornby,Triang and Meccano all got going and now we don't make anything, hats off to Mamod though,they're still plugging away. cheers Neil
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine
    Ahoy mateys, U47 11" tinplate
    clockwork
    diving submarine as usual made from landfill (despite what the government says about recycling!?). Anyway, the last pics Iv'e posted are of a Bing Werke 1920s submarine Iv'e acquired which I'm going to restore, the problem is identifying the original model. I think its B-25,so if anyone can shed any light it would be very much appreciated. Thanks Neil. www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine
    You're right it is!πŸ‘ Might have known you'd know the museum πŸ˜‰ Maybe others were interested. I found the Bassett-Lowe connection interesting. Cheers, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine
    Hi Doug, Been onto the freinsheim museum, they thought the conning tower was not original but an American collector of Bing thought it was original and sent me this pic from a book. If you look at B-25 the tower is very similar? cheers Neil
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine
    Looks like it might have been part of one of their Flying Boats! Lots of their old goodies to see in the Bing Museum. https://www.wikiwand.com/de/Historisches_Spielzeugmuseum_Freinsheim http://www.spielzeugmuseum-freinsheim.de/english/index.html Sadly Bing was a victim of the 30s crash and the company was broken up. BTW: they used to do a lot of contract model railway work for Bassett-Lowe! 16mm track gauge, which became the HO/OO standard. The loco in the pic is a 'Real Steamer' πŸ˜‰ Cheers, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U46 Tin
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Very nice work, good to see some real engineering
    6 years ago by mturpin013
    Forum
    U46 Tin
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U46, 7 inches long, 2 plate hull, screw cap tinplate
    clockwork
    diving submarine. The fin on this was made from an old brass light fitting. Its mental in the water and impossible to steer in a straight line but hilarious to watch. Smallest spring motor iv'e ever built and as usual made from the contents of the light green wheelie bin. cheers MacTin.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U46 Tin
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Simply masterful, more Mactin Magic πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ Would love a video of the 'mental' cruise 😁
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U46 Tin
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Mind blowing stuff, and people think modelling is easy. Great work MacTin. Let's have more of your marvellous creations. Cheers Colin.
    6 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    U45 Tinplate Diving
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Absolutely amazing work, wish I could have the skills to do it, I was once a prototype engineer but most of my work was done with the help of machinery, keep it up matey. Cheers Colin.
    6 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    U45 Tinplate Diving
    clockwork
    Submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U45 11" long made from an old aerosol can,the donor clock for the motor was an old Westclox made in Scotland in the 60s, got it from Todmorden flea market for Β£2.00! This recycling lark can get expensive! mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines Cheers mactin.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Nostalgia aint what it used to be. The U44 model is excellent and it is so authentic. Remember the Sutcliffe toys back in the 50s, I think they also made a sub but not actually a scale one. Never had one myself but I did have the Bluebird which I think was Malcolm Campbell's as it was a lot different from the K7 which Donald had. I have a vague memory that Sutcliffes did bring out a later model of the Bluebird and I would like to hear from anyone who may have had one . Boaty😁
    6 years ago by boaty
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Avast Mateys, U44 finished, 18" long 40ml ballast tank in the bow hand beaten and rolled from a 50p cereal tin from a charity shop www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com cheers.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    I guess there are far worse manifestations! πŸ˜‰ Keep on bashing the tin, we love it πŸ‘ All the best, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Its in the sixty odd range now,and thats just the subs! plus the skimmers its a lot! it helps to suffer from OCD! Neil.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    Amazing!
    6 years ago by figtree7nts
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine
    A sinister looking device 😲 Very nicely done πŸ‘ How many of these 'beasts' do you have now? Must be quite a fleet! A decent sized 'Wolf-pack' by now πŸ˜‰ Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U44 Tinplate
    clockwork
    Diving Submarine.
    Ahoy Mateys! Take one cereal tin,a hammer and a sandbag a caster off an old sofa with a file handle attached a couple of days and voila! U44 two plate hull single spring motor
    clockwork
    sub. www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com Cheers mactin.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Its Spring again!
    Ahoy Mateys, U41 with a triple spring
    clockwork
    motor Ive designed, the hull is made from a tin of deluxe continental chocolate biscuits (available from Aldi Β£1.99) I think there ex Christmas stock! www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Its Spring again!
    Great job.Must have taken awhile to shape the tin.How long does the
    clockwork
    motor run?Love to see it run if you post a video of it when it's finished.
    6 years ago by Donnieboy
    Forum
    U40 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine.
    Fantastic welldone
    6 years ago by jugge
    Forum
    U40 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine.
    Designed and hand built from scratch in three weeks (including the
    clockwork
    motor). Its only 11" long equipped with a 20ml trim tank midships,it can run on the surface or dive for about 20 feet.The hull is made from recycled tin cans hand beaten and wheeled smoothish in three parts. www.mclaren
    clockwork
    submarines.com
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U40 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine.
    Haha, not 20 feet down mate! 20 feet along, it dives to about 8 inches then when the motor runs down it surfaces. Ive had a look at the electronic wizzardry you guys make its incredible and way beyond me.Hats off to you all! brilliant stuff!
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U40 Tinplate
    clockwork
    submarine.
    Magnificent, beautiful work, as everπŸ‘ Do you ever sleep??? 20ft? How do you know? Did you follow it down with a tape measure? 😁 My Akula sub has a big tank and about half a pound of electronics in it to control the diving πŸ˜‰ I will set it to max 2m (6 feet or so)! Happy Tin Bashing, cheers Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich


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