Forum

CNC boat kits...?

Well, I've got my eShapeoko. I bought all the electronics and motors as well as the mechanical kit from the same source, which meant that I didn't have to do all the work to check . Total cost, including VAT and postage, was £563 - which is remarkably cheap for a machine with this size cutting bed. if I had wanted to save money and use the free LinuxCNC with a Chinese breakout board I could have dropped the price to around £400 - probably below £350 if I had gone for Chinese Ebay steppers as well. There are more things to get, of course. Tooling and workholding are the standard extras for any big workshop machine. The eShapeoko is designed to hold a Dremel clone, but I will probably be using a more delicate tool to cut out thin balsa shapes for EeZeBilts. The eShapeoko is quite capable of milling metals, but I don't expect to do that very often. So I can't see the total price rising by a lot - perhaps another £20 or so before I can be cutting my first parts. The first thing I did when I got the parts was assemble them roughly to check that it all went together properly. Here is a shot - minus the wiring and controls, of course - to give an idea of the size of the thing. With it I can cut keel lengths up to about 36". The maximum cutting width is about 14". I can easily expand it in length by adding longer rails, but this represents a balance between what would be useful and what would fit easily in the shed! Assembling it is just like making a Meccano kit. Which should present no difficulty to someone of a certain age...! For anyone interested this is the site I got it from: https://amberspyglass.co.uk

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Hobby King receiver clones

Thanks Martin, I understand about binding 2.4ghz but what really is my problem is the of older 27mhz and 40mhz setups, also which crystals will work in which setups. This is where the chart will help. Cheers Colin.

6 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Hobby King receiver clones

Colin, when Doug repaired my faulty (at factory) Spektrum DX5e Tx, I sent him my Orange 6 channel Rx and a recently bought black one (just a number) and he bound both to the repaired Spektrum. I think you only need to make sure the with the operating system is right. But I'm sure he can explain all that better than I. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Cross Matching tx/RX from different brands.

As a vintage model restorer and user it would be handy to have a chart showing which branded tx's will work with which rx's. I have an assortment of radio gear from the early 60's to quite modern 90's, but as most of the models I have were donated to me without either the tx or occasionally the RX sorting out with such a chart would be easy. 27mhz and 40mhz. Along with the more recent 2.4ghz. Could be split into 3 sections, to show . Sounds like a challenge, but together we could compile such a chart. ANY TAKERS. Cheers Colin.

6 years ago by Colin H

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

Doug, what gave you the idea that I spent all that on my Spektrum DX5e? it cost me 45 quid from somewhere up North, brand new. The Rxs were, I thought, too much, so I got an Orange for 8 quid. I got the Spektrum because I was considering doing aircraft. 4 footers, scale, so not needing anything fancy, but costs of everything else stopped that. if they did a 2 function set cheap, I'd have had it. No chance selling the DX5e as it will have been superceded at least twice since I bought mine, probably at least once since I first removed it from its box! The Tx., isn't complicated. I was careful NOT to buy one that needed a degree in pooterism to operate. it's a toy boat fer Krissakes...go left, go right, speed up, slow down, stop, maybe go backuds, although my kind of real boats rarely do. I'd use my old REP single channel if some toad hadn't stole it. But it doesn't stand me in that much. This new Rx. which states DX5e is 7 quid. After that, if it don't work it will be back to the 27 meg. or nothing at all (much better exercise). As to the battery capacity thing, it is exactly the same to look at as the ones you linked me to, but, although it didn't say it didn't do Nixx, the fact is it doesn't. On the box is a row of x's where the facilities are shown under NiCd and NiMh. Sending it back would cost almost as much as the thing cost in the first place. in the unlikely event that I ever get any LiPos, it'll do for those. As to the NiMhs, I'll put them through a discharge recharge cycle on the imax thing according to what you and Haverlock have said. Then, just do the same when I've finished sailing. I use this stuff so rarely I suppose I should think again about whether to get any more stuff at all. is it possible to constantly cycle the batteries during the long winter fallow period? Should they be discharged by running a motor or can one trust the imax to do the job? Once again, thanks for your time, Doug. I do appreciate your efforts to help out the Luddite. BTW, when I bought the DX5e it really was the cheapest option, trust me! Now, I'd probably get one of those cheapies that are sold by the same outfit I bought my DX5e from, but they weren't around then. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Fire Float information

Hi Doug Here is a section from wikipedia re PDF vulnerabilities Viruses and exploits PDF attachments carrying viruses were first discovered in 2001. The virus, named OUTLOOK.PDFWorm or Peachy, uses Microsoft Outlook to send itself as an attachment to an Adobe PDF file. it was activated with Adobe Acrobat, but not with Acrobat Reader.[54] From time to time, new vulnerabilities are discovered in various versions of Adobe Reader,[55] prompting the company to issue security fixes. Other PDF readers are also susceptible. One aggravating factor is that a PDF reader can be configured to start automatically if a web page has an embedded PDF file, providing a vector for attack. if a malicious web page contains an infected PDF file that takes advantage of a vulnerability in the PDF reader, the system may be compromised even if the browser is secure. Some of these vulnerabilities are a result of the PDF standard allowing PDF documents to be scripted with JavaScript. Disabling JavaScript execution in the PDF reader can help mitigate such future exploits, although it does not protect against exploits in other parts of the PDF viewing software. Security experts say that JavaScript is not essential for a PDF reader, and that the security benefit that comes from disabling JavaScript outweighs any issues caused.[56] One way of avoiding PDF file exploits is to have a local or web service convert files to another format before viewing. On March 30, 2010 security researcher Didier Stevens reported an Adobe Reader and Foxit Reader exploit that runs a malicious executable if the user allows it to launch when asked.

6 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Picture upload failure.

OK Understand, is it a Desktop? Maybe a Laptop or Notebook (or even tablet?) would be more practical? I live in a small maisonette, 75m², living room, bathroom and kitchen at ground level. Two sides of the kitchen have become my 'workshop'! A small room in the cellar has become my bedroom (just call me troglodyte!) Garage is communal so can't do much with it apart from temp stashing stuff on its way to the recycling centre. I'm running out of space for the models 🤔 (shelf / vitrine building plan in progress) but the PC is permanently installed on my desk in the living room, close to the phone cable wall sockets. Modelling dictates!! I still think your main problem with the HT17 phone is in of Android 6 and the method the MB website uses to process uploads. Seem to recall reading about this snag in the Android 7 development and release notes. Hope Stephen can find time to investigate this cos I don't think you are alone with this problem 🤔 Good luck, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

Re Boat Harbour entries

Another suggestion, just an idea! 😎 Happy coding! BTW: I have heard that there are several issues with the latest webview and the older Android OSs. 5.0 Lollipop is recommended I believe. Maybe that explains some difficulties with smartphones?

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Blog

Spraying the ‘anti fouling’

I have seen examples of this boat with a bright red gloss finish for the anti-fouling and as nice and shiny as it looks I have decided to be true to the original colour scheme as much as possible. Red oxide primer is a very close colour match to anti fouling paint, apparently, so I found some Simoniz red oxide paint on eBay at a very good price. I’m led to believe that one paint maker (Holts ?) makes the same paint for Halfords, Simoniz and others, it’s an acrylic paint with a matt finish so there should be no problems. Masking off the hull with a couple of layers of newspaper is quick and easy and it’s ready to go into the spray booth. First coat on and it’s looking good, second coat after 20 minutes or so and I’m really happy with the results and the Simoniz paint is perfectly compatible with the Halfords primer. For good measure I’ll spray a third coat after the first two have hardened overnight, I’ll give the surface a very light key with a fine abrasive pad first. Then it’s on to the rest of the hull with the black gloss.

7 years ago by robbob

Response

Priming the hull.

Hi chumbucket. Thanks for the warnings, all good advice 👍 Fortunately I have had no problems with paint in, all the paint and lacquers I am using are acrylic based. Besides, I always do a test piece first to make sure. Rob.

7 years ago by robbob

Forum

POLARITY

Hi, Unfortunately, I do not know this type, and at the net is a range of products from Sanwa - can you write which number sanwa type Rx you have,please? for 2,4 Mhz sanwa Rx has - minus at outer pin, plus at the middle , and signal at inner pin ,(see picture) I think, it is possible for 35MHz too , but it can be a question. As there are some more RX ´s .. so seek the answers for your type. Try Uncle Google with proper question ( e,g, > sanwa receiver )

7 years ago by tomarack

Forum

Apostrophe problem ?

There is a technical explanation. Also it's something that is fixable. I simply haven't had the chance to do this as it would need to be fixed at the same time as all database queries. The website has lots! When loading data into a database there are apostrophes already within the server code itself. To avoid it getting confused on what is code and what is the text it's copying in, it uses a backslash. Otherwise known as an escape character. You'll also see it in RSS feeds sometimes, similar principle there. it's likely what the BBC ticker tape is reading. That said, queries can be designed differently, the editing scripts are different to the creation scripts for posts on here. All however need a revamp as technology has moved on quite a bit since the original server code was written. There is a new technology called SQL improved, which is much more secure than the old SQL and negates the need for escape characters (back slashes). When will it be fixed? I can't say. Maybe these Christmas holidays. it's solid days of work to update the whole website to the new technology. The database is a fundamental part of every webpage, the mobile apps, rss feeds and the notification system. Once things are upgraded I'll be fixing all past posts to ensure no more backslashes are around. Ps. Don't mention emoji ! That's a whole other headache to manage 😉 Stephen

8 years ago by fireboat

Forum

Paint for RAF Crash Tender.

Hi Onetenor. Thanks for the follow up suggestions but I have already found a supplier in Manchester who were able to mix the required colour and deliver 2 x 400ml rattle cans by next day courier for £18 all in, which is a real bargain compared to the prices I found elsewhere. The only snag I that they can only mix gloss and not matt or satin, but I will overspray with a satin lacquer anyway. I have tested it for with the acrylics that I am using (Halfords) and it's perfectly OK. Robbob.

8 years ago by robbob

Forum

Airbrush

What happened to the days when staff knew a little about the stuff they sell? Been looking at Halfords primer/filler as a base coat before airbrushing with acrylic, unfortunately there is no information on the can with regard to paint - I know, I'll ask a member of staff, never seen such a vacant look in response.

10 years ago by Flack

Forum

Fleet System Radio control.

HI Colin Possibly. Power should not be a problem as an ESC normally uses less power than a servo (no motor to run off the receiver battery). However depends on the pulse width set by the manufacturer. Modern equipment is mainly standardised but was this was not always the case. 😰 Also some early receivers used different voltage rails for the pulses. 😰 Some modern ESC's automatically adjust to the centre pulse provided you switch on your transmitter before the receiver. 😀 in this case provided the Digifleet receiver has a high enough voltage pulse you should be OK. Servos are a different matter and you may need to manually adjust the centre point by opening the case and resetting the internal pot. 😰 Quite takes me back to the days when I used to build my own equipment and such adjustments were standard! 😀 If you have a local electronics Guru with an osilloscope the receiver pulses for each channel can be easily checked. Glad that you checked the neg wiring, black wires used to cause all sorts of problems and servo jitters were the cause of many a plane or boat crash.

12 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Beginner Restoration

HI JimDavie If the boat seems watertight then under coat and final coat should be OK. I use grey acrylic car primer but please test a small insignificant area as it may react with the paint already on the boat. Very light coats left for a few hours to dry between coats usually work but do check each coat as any softening means the coat underneath is dissolving. Wet and dry sanding between coats will produce a nice paint job. You could use the red primer on the base of the hull saving you the need to for a top coat. I finish my model with clear acrylic to keep them clean. Again please test for . Good luck Dave

13 years ago by Dave M