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 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 s because the data to do so is on the web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHJbJieV0o

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

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 compatibility. 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 s. 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

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site

Glad you like it! Have you tried the associated Taycol, Marinecraft and Old Boats sites as well?

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

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site

morning hope its some help enjoy http://.tk/index.html History, Plans,

5 years ago by jacko

Forum

New to Forum

"..Are any of the clubs focused on non RC models?..." Some people make the small s as static models - see here: http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/SMF/index.php?topic=982.15

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

CNC boat kits...?

Not much point uploading a .pdf, unless it has some unusual conversion software. CNC machines work off G Code. The work area is critical for model boat work. Typical parts are long and thin. The eShapeoko I am building is a nominal 1m x 500mm, which lets me do a 36" keel piece. I would like to put out G Code for cutting the boats, but am not sure how to standardise it so that many CNC machines will be able to use it. Different CNC controllers seem to use subtly different G Code commands...

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

CNC boat kits...?

I'm doing the eShapeoko - I wanted a more rigid machine for general purposes, and I liked the fact that you could specify the X and Y axis lengths. For cutting model boat parts you rarely want something as wide as 1 foot - but you often want items of length greater than 1 yard. The eShapeoko has standard sizes as extreme as 15 inches by 60 inches, and can easily be extended. I've gone for 18 x 36 inches - should be fine for s... One of the things that's a bit annoying with GRBL is that it doesn't currently do tool radius compensation. I'm using an arduino with grbl as well, and if I cut my plans as drawn they will all be a tool radius out. I am currently looking to use a 0.5mm tool so the effect will be small - but if you know of a better driver interpreter...?

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

How to RC small boats?

There's no great need to dismantle a servo to get motive power - nowadays you can buy model motors that are not much thicker than a typical boat propshaft, and speed controllers the size of a thumbnail. Usually for about a pound. These small drones have really helped in this regard. This one, for instance, is 0.6cm diameter by 1.5cm long - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-JJRC-H20-RC-Drone-H20-08-CW-Motor-Spare-Part-For-JJRC-H20-08-RC-He-M4S2/332826605276?hash=item4d7e02f6dc:g:7AIAAOSw989bsxkP:rk:39:pf:0 Your biggest problem will usually be rudder control - there will be little room for a servo and tiller right at the stern of small boats. For an I recommend a closed loop system which lets you relocate the servo anywhere convenient - see http://.tk/radio.html The Terrier below is 10.75 inches long...

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

define a model boat

Many of my models are models of models - the Sea Princess, for instance, is a half-sized Sea Queen. in some cases boats are actually made larger than their originals - so a double-sized Curlew or Triton is a 2:1 scale model of a model rather than a 1:2. Very recursive...

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Free plans Inc Tamar lifeboat plans

Here is a video of a test run of an Tamar... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXRfrkph3X4

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Boat shaft connectors (which stuffs to use and which is good)

I am not sure that you mean 'latex'. The most usual soft tubes are silicone rubber. Not neoprene, as it is usually too stiff. There are all sorts of universal joints available. Here are some metal ones from Ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5x-RC-Model-Boat-Robot-Universal-Joint-Shaft-Coupling-Motor-Connector-2-5mm/253848013746?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55149%26meid%3D95631f1d170a4b7294c22a48e8978fa2%26pid%3D101006%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D253848013746&_trksid=p2045573.c101006.m3226 These are surely too strong for small boats, however. The range are typically 30-50cm long and I use silicone rubber joints on brushless motors there quite satisfactorily. You just need to be sure that the tube wall thickness is sufficient - typically 3-4mm. Here is a picture of the PT Boat (50 cm long) motor connector, with a picture of it running. You will see that it can go at a reasonable speed. See http://www..tk/PTBoat.html

5 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Fireboats...

Just found this old thread on a search while I was re-jigging the web pages - thought I'd update the link, which has changed to: http://.tk

6 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Fireboats...

The Keil Kraft boat site has a '50+' Crash Tender In Its free plan section - at 20". We now have a Canadian build going at double-scale, making a 40" balsa boat! Pictures of the build so far can be found here: http://modelboats.hobby-site.com/steverafpics1.html

13 years ago by DodgyGeezer

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Christmas present - free plans!

If you click on home in the link it takes you to the home page and from there you can access all the plans ,build logs and photos . cheers Marky👍

6 years ago by marky

Forum

Christmas present - free plans!

Forum members may be interested in the new which is just out - an OSA Missile boat at 32". For some reason plans for these seem to be rare. So I thought I would rectify the situation. Pick up free plans, instructions and a build log here: http://.tk/OSA.html Happy building!

6 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

pt boat

I am having a clear out to make room for my new project, so have for sale my scratch built pt boat, the hull is a resized to 29" from a plan. all the deck fittings were copied as good as I could get it from drawings and photos on line. it is fitted with two 2200 kv out runner motor, two contra rotating 30mm propellers an two 10 amp forward reverse speed controllers. it can be run with either two 7.2 volt or single 7.2 volt batteries using the adaptor cable which will be included. i have no idea what its worth so lets say £85 ono I have sailed it less than 4 hoursto fast for me. open to reasonable offers collection advised from lincoln but could meet alf way if required

7 years ago by basilsdad

Forum

eezebuild RAF tender

Hi! Marky, I have just recovering from a stroke Andi have a gaff rigged cutter half done but as it was my first time building a sail boat I was stuck when it came to the sail set up then the stroke I can't get back to it so I would wonder if you could possibly negotiate another set for the RAF tender cut in plywood. I would be most willingly pay for it no problem, Please don't fret if its not possible I will understand Laters then Mick

7 years ago by Gravedigger47

Forum

what motor

Am building the RAF tender the hints and tips suggest a 280 or 300 brushed motor but on other posts in the forums brushless motors are mentioned ,both my previous boats have been static so this is a steep learning curve for me ,Q1 brushed or brushless ?.Q2 what size ? Q3 would it be easier to buy a RC set up complete rather than individual bits and bobs ?.Q4 will defiantly follow in the near future . Any help much appreciated 👍 Cheers Marky

7 years ago by marky

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pt 109

a 30"scratch built pt. boat, I built hull from .8mm ply using a resized 20" plan. the deck fittings were copied as best as I could from photos and drawings found on line. powered by 2- 2200kv brushless out runner motors through 2 20 amp speed controllers. twin contra rotating props twin rudders fast and light a pleasure to build 2

7 years ago by basilsdad

Forum

KeilKraft 1974

Hi AllenA, Did you know there is a dedicated web site for plans? They also have some new models in the old style. Mark

7 years ago by jarvo

Forum

KeilKraft 1974

Hi Dave, I have just about all the plans on computer if you ever feel like doing another one give me a shout. Regards Allen

7 years ago by AllenA

Forum

fire boat

Just printed a set of drawings from the plans section .i am very lucky and work in a university that has lots of facilities I took the drawings to the reprographic department who scanned them for me I have taken the file to the CAD workshop (luckily I manage the workshop technicians) and left the file to be laser cut in 3mm marine birch ply ,off for a few days so will pick it up on Monday will post some pictures when its ready.

7 years ago by marky

Forum

fire boat

Here's the Dolphin 16 so far. I have upped her to 20" and a few modifications to total cabin coverage to give me room for the power and radio setup. Just realised this was not but a Meccano plan. I will probably try the Sea Princess next though. Ok, old age doesn't come on it's own.........

7 years ago by AllenA

Forum

fire boat

its the 50+RAF fire tender 20"long all the plans are in the plans section under free plans inc tamar lifeboat posted by Sonar at the bottom of the Tamar plans is a link to home page if you click the link it lets you access all the plans ,building tips etc .

7 years ago by marky

Forum

joint decision

after trawling through the plans section my grandson and I have decided the next build will be a 50+RAF fire tender maybe try it in ply rather than balsa ,the wee mans 7 and seems really interested so I will let him do as much as possible he will probably be less messy than me so wood hunting at the weekend ,I will have a look through the scrap bins at the work and salvage as much as I can first

7 years ago by marky

Forum

Website info on Crash Tenders too blurred

We know that he runs a web page, so presumably can handle pictures. We can recognise pictures scanned from a catalogue. I run some similar web pages for a different set of boats and I have no problems with getting agreement to produce decent pics. Martin, Message me as at hotmail.co.uk, and I'll send you some better plan drawings...

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

50 PT Boat

Looking forward to seeing it...!

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Eezibilt

HI Haverlock, I have just checked out the log on you have given and it better than the log on I was sent 😎 . When I tried it only gave a few of the plans 😟 . But the one you have posted is much better 😊 😊 . Thank a bundle its great. I have found other plans on this site that were not on the http://marinecraft.tk/Mabout.html site that I went to. Many thanks BOATSHED (Tom)

8 years ago by BOATSHED

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Eezibilt

HI modbot , I was given this site to check out for the Eezbilt plans. http://marinecraft.tk/Mabout.html and downloaded the three I was after. I'm sure you will find the ones you are after. it does list other plans that are not the ones, but they are not available on there. Happy searching and downloading. BOATSHED. (Tom)

8 years ago by BOATSHED

Forum

Eezibilt

HI Alan, Many thanks for your post that you have entered here. 😊 I have just been to the site you have suggested and it has got the plans 😊 😊 for the boats. Thanks for your help. Regards BOATSHED (Tom) 🙏 👍

8 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

PT-Boat

Alas, no. I don't sell plans. All my plans are free. My plans are not really 'plans', as you might expect. They are cutting lines, which produce a set of balsa parts. These are then stuck together, following either the instructions or the build log on my web site. This is as near as I can get the the original experience of buying a Keil Kraft '' balsa kit in the 1960s. For kids, an adult can cut the parts out and the kid can assemble them. For adults they might want to print out the plans at A3 size to make a bigger boat, and replace the balsa hull skins with 1/16" ply... For the free PT boat plans, go to http://.tk/plans.html You want the 'Elco PT Boat'...

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

PT-Boat

They look great, I've built British MTB, A German S Boat, now I want to do the American & Japanese boats, do you have plans for your boat that I could buy from you? Thanks

8 years ago by Damon

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PT-Boat

Thanks for the advice. I will bear that in mind. 😊

8 years ago by johnfastboat

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PT-Boat

If you want a bigger , print the plans to A3 rather than A4. The PT boat will then come out at 28". The key point about the design is that your grandson can do it with minimal adult help...

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

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PT-Boat

Got a similar 24" model due to be constructed, more for my Grandson than me. it's always good to get youngsters interested. I often used to put semI finished models showing all the internals on display at shows. Gets all people interested. 😀

8 years ago by johnfastboat

Response

50 PT Boat

hI mate yeah still doing the build just haven't had the time to update but will soon at the minute putting the hull skins on then should be ready to fill prime and paint.

9 years ago by georgeo5664

Response

50 PT Boat

Did anything ever come of this build? There's a similar build at a Dutch site here: http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/threads/dubbel-bouwverslag--pt-boot.233441/ And, of course, the log: http://.co.vu/PTB1.html

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Help with SEA QUEEN.

It's a Triton! Look here for info on adding radio to these old s... http://.co.vu/radio.html

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

Looking good

The boats are quite small - the basic plans are for a 20". At this size weight becomes an issue, and the original used a 6-cell NiMH at 7.2v . That used a small KV1200 brushless.

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Response

50 PT Boat

Ok, good luck and enjoy the experience don't rush make sure everything is square before you glue it, I use PVA waterproof wood glue very strong with a good time to place the part before it grabs. Any other questions or problems post them on here you will find a lot of modellers more than willing to help.

9 years ago by Peter501

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50 PT Boat

Thanks Peter I have my cousin cutting out the the plans so I get it transfered to wood and make a start on building it.

9 years ago by georgeo5664

Response

50 PT Boat

HI Welcome to the forum, I don't Know the model you mention so a bit more specific information would help to answer your query. Is it an all wood kit with wood hull (bottom bit)or is it a pre made Fibreglasse hull with wood superstructure ( top bit ) Is there a plan? is there any form of assembly instructions. Even pictures can help if your not sure. Peter

9 years ago by Peter501

Blog

50 PT Boat

This is my very first boat I have ever built. I have choose this boat because it has a nice look about it. it might be easy but for my first build I wanted to understand the different parts to a boat and how things go together.

9 years ago by georgeo5664

Forum

Does anyone know. . . . . . . .

Thanks again Dodgygeezer; now you have jogged my memory, I remember the Kits although I never bought any at the time they were on the go. I shall definately look up the web site. Cheers

9 years ago by Oldtimer

Forum

Does anyone know. . . . . . . .

Oldtimer, "....Just to see a picture of the boat is brilliant...." If you ever made any of the old Keil Kraft boats, try: http://.co.vu That will let you rebuild some of the kits that were available in the 1960s - and there are a few links to other old toy sites as well...

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Media

PT-Boat

50plus series (see http://.tk/PTBoat.html for free plans ) 20" long - designed to be built in a bedroom. Cheap (£6 raw materials) starter boat for introducing youngsters to modelling...

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

PT Boat - free plans

The latest 50-plus has just come out - It's an Elco PT Boat, so that makes two of the original Aerokit range which have been 'reworked' as s. Find It here: PT Boat

9 years ago by DodgyGeezer

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Scratchbuilt Mermaid from Keil Kraft plans

I can't seem to be able to modify or edit the earlier post. The 3rd. sentence should read as : Built out of plywood and foam board.

11 years ago by veecee27

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Scratchbuilt Mermaid from Keil Kraft plans

Following the legendary Keil Kraft plans for a Mermaid Ocean going boat. Plans exploded to 200%. Trying to build it completely out of Plywood and Foam Board. OA Length 710 mm, Beam 180 mm. AUW 1.98Kgs. She carries the name 'JAYSHIL". it is a portmanteau derived from the names of my late parents. Model features working lights as prescribed by the international Maritime Authorities: http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/lights.php In keeping with Rules 22 and 23: http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/rulesoftheroad.php#rule23 Brushed 550 motor, Reversible ESC, 2S LiPo, Turnigy Blue Prop, Working Lights and indigenous Sound Generator unit. Video is available here: (you may need to turn down the volume a bit as the horn is rather loud) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=peURh9gF7UM I would welcome any queries and/or comments on this build. Thanks and Regards, VC

11 years ago by veecee27

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Scratchbuilt RAF Crash Tender

Following the legendary Keil Kraft plans for a Royal Air Force Crash Tender boat from the 1950's.. Plans exploded to 130%. Trying to build it completely out of Foam Board. Completed model should be around 27" in length.

11 years ago by veecee27